Queen of Peace, Inc.Sioux City, Iowa Summer 2012

“MR. OUTSIDE” RETURNS TO HIS HEAVENLY HOME

On February 12, 2012 Duane Sudbeck was taken peacefully in his sleep to the Heavenly Father. The vacuum that is left at the Queen of Peace, Inc. is felt by those who work

and live here. The golf cart traveling the grounds with the friendly smile and words of wisdom has left a void in all of us.

In 1987 the Queen of Peace, Inc. purchased the land that housed the former Trinity High School and Prep Seminary. The story of the founding of Trinity Heights is well documented, but the miracles of the development continue to surface. Duane Sudbeck not only was one of the first Board Members, but worked with his father in planting of trees on the grounds well before Trinity Heights. God was preparing Duane for a mission that surely he would not know was possible.

Duane was responsible for the placing of the Statue of Mary in the location it is today. The Board could not come up with a consensus and Duane Sudbeck researched what he thought would be a perfect spot and placed a flag at the present location. What made this so intriguing is the location was the exact spot of the chapel in the former Garrigan Hall.

Duane Sudbeck worked for Mid American Energy until his retirement in 1992. His retirement brought a new venture which would turn out to be the present “Miracle of Trinity Heights”. In 1990 Trinity Heights was nothing but an old dirt and gravel road to the new Marian Center. It became apparent to“Mr. Inside”, Beanie Cooper, that someone would be needed to take charge of the work on the grounds and to oversee the buildings that would hopefully be built in the future.

Duane and his wife Mary Margaret had been busy in life raising their fourteen children. In that process of working at Mid American

Trinity Heights Suffers Loss of Its Own Twin TowersFATHER LEROY SEUNTJENS THANK YOU FOR SERVINg qUEEN OF pEAcE, INc.

Reverend LeRoy Lawrence Seuntjens, our beloved chaplain and spiritual director, was born to eternal

life on Thursday, May 10, 2012 after a short illness. Father LeRoy loved gardening, golf and reading, but most

of all he enjoyed celebrating Mass, seeing in it his privilege to bring all people and events of the day to the Lord. After nearly fifty years serving the Diocese of Sioux City as a priest, he retired to serve Trinity Heights. Father said, “Now that I am retired, I find newness each day and excitement in other areas of the faith. As spiritual director I meet people each week who are drawn to the peace and atmosphere of this wonderful shrine, seeking answers and to grow in ways that are not so readily available in every parish.”

In addition to praying the Divine Office and rosary, Father LeRoy embraced a devotion to the Divine Mercy including the daily chaplet, Divine Mercy novena and love for Saint Faustina who inspired world-wide devotion to divine mercy after multiple revelations from Christ.

In 2009, Father LeRoy lead a pilgrimage to Poland where the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Krakow presented a first class relic of St. Faustina which now resides in the Divine Mercy Chapel at Trinity Heights. Father LeRoy recently wrote that the Divine Mercy devotion, (called by Pope John Paul II a “devotion for our time”) had “re-energized me and finds me going out and speaking on Divine Mercy in parishes and schools”. The eighteen inch gold reliquary which displayed the relic of St. Faustina which he took to others, was displayed near his casket at Father LeRoy’s wake and funeral.

Father Seuntjens served Trinity Heights for five years. In addition to saying Mass and hearing confessions, he prayed the daily 4:00 rosary in the chapel and treated many visitors to

Duane Sudbeck story continued on page 2 Father Seuntjens story continued on page 3

ALL AMERIcA BAND……Sunday, April 22, at 7PM, the All America Band presented

a concert to over 450 guests. What makes this concert so special is the fact that 71 Siouxland musicians volunteer their time 2 hours per week practicing for these concerts. These people do not get paid, do not do this for the need to be recognized, they do this because they love music and presenting it to the public.

This is a unique group in that every performance is a benefit for a qualifying non profit 501 © (3) organization. Because of the generous corporate support they receive from area businesses, 100% of the funds raised from the sale of concert tickets is given to beneficiaries. This worthwhile organization has been able to raise thousand of dollars which are reinvested in the communities to make them a better place in which to live.

The All-America Concert Band is associated with the fact that Sioux City was named an “All – America City” in 1990 because of the city’s tremendous response to the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989.

Sunday’s performance was sponsored by Gill Hauling and benefitted the Queen of Peace in Sioux City. This concert

highlighted Audience Favorites from the First 23 Years of the Bands performances. The audience was treated to such favorite hits as “In the Mood”, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”, “Here Comes the Band”. Diana Wooley was simply outstanding in her rendition of “Stardust” and she brought the house to its feet with “God Bless America”. Thank you to Charles Dibley, Conductor, Dave Madsen, Announcer, Gene Miller, Webmaster and Walt Beckwith, Librarian, for your great work.

The Siouxland Community is being given something very special with the All America Band. We look forward to many more performances in the future. We all need to thank this group and support them in their concerts. Thanks for the Memories!

Notre Dame Club of Siouxland visited the Queen of Peace on Saturday, May 19th for a service day project. Thank you for your efforts in beautifying the pond, stream and bushes on the way to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

……Thank you

qUEEN OF pEAcE pATRIOTIc ROSARY

July 4th has been celebrated as our Independence Day in this great country since that day in 1776. A country truly blessed by God over the centuries has seen many changes. This July 4th, we again will pray for all the people who oversee the United States of America, from our President, to our Supreme Courts, Governor and local officials.

A country truly blessed by God over the centuries has seen many changes. Yet, sadly America has strayed far from God in the last 234 years. The Patriotic Rosary has since 2003 been a part of Trinity Heights and it touches on how the nations founders believed in a Judeo-Christian country.

Abraham Lincoln stated, “We’ve forgotten God, we’ve forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace, multiplied, enriched and strengthened us and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these things were produced by some superior wisdom of our own.”

It is our hope this Patriotic Rosary said on each 4th to come will be a display of our patriotism of July for years.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Mary Lou and Terry O’Gorman leading decade of Rosary

THANK YOU NOTRE DAME cLUB

VISITORS ALwAYS wELcOME

If you have not visited the grounds for a while, now is the time! Volunteers have worked tirelessly to beautify the area. The brook is running, the birds are singing. The trees, shrubs, grass and flowers are stunning.

Summer months bring us increased number of visitors. The beauty of the site and its serenity bring peace to so many. The shines continue to captivate the hearts and minds of families spending time together. We hope as they leave the holiness of the Queen of Peace, they take back to their parishes a deeper commitment to their faith and become even more committed to parish life.

Marian center Bookstore & gift Shop

Hours:Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, 12 Noon - 4 p.m.

phone: (712) 239-5835

Visitors will find an array of products in our gift shop including:

• Medals • Religious statues • Prayer cards • Unique gift items • Bibles • Confirmation gifts • Rosaries • Artwork • Nativity sets • Church & papal • Mystic Monk documents coffee • Children’s books • Baptism gifts • Prayer & faith • Crucifixes books • Home school • First Holy Communion books gifts

Hundreds of 5th graders toured Trinity Heights on April 27th. Here are a few from Mater Dei, Sioux City (formerly Immacuate Conception), where our Founder Father Harold Cooper went to grade school.

VISIT OUR WEB SITEwww.trinityheights.com

TRINITY HEIGHTS IS LOCATED AT

CONTACT US:

Email: info@trinityheights.comFor tour information call Mary at 712-239-9158

ST. JOSEPH CENTER HOURS ARE

THE GROUNDS ARE OPEN 9 AM TO 9 PM YEAR AROUND

ENDOWMENT INFORMATIONThinking of helping to preserve

Trinity Heights for future generations?

* Queen of Peace, Inc. Endowment Fund * 42-1292909

God will bless a cheerful giver!

Energy, Duane also had rental properties to supplement the family income. He had learned a great deal on how to care for property and buildings. His talent in electrical, plumbing, carpentry work would serve Trinity Heights well over the next twenty-two years.

The miracles that would take place during the late 90’s through 2011 are very special in the development of Trinity Heights. It was critical an office building was required to operate from and Duane was instrumental in making that happen. From the confines of that first building came an organizational team that formed the catalyst of Trinity Heights. Soon benches were dotting the grounds, with bollards being placed in various locations. The Mound of Mary was taking shape in preparation of the thirty foot statue of the Blessed Mother.

With very little money in the bank and a dream in their heart, the team worked very hard preparing the grounds. On June 13, 1993, the thirty foot stainless steel work of Dale Lamphere was dedicated on the Mound of Mary. The Queen of Peace would oversee the development of Trinity Heights through all the years to come.

Each passing day found Duane working on another project, whether it was cutting grass, building a side walk, planting a tree or moving rocks. Duane recorded everything that was accomplished to include who worked that day, to what it is they did. The history of the work performed over the 22 years is well documented in Duane’s work diary. He could tell you what kind of tree was planted where and who planted it.

Duane was a very special person to so many! He was a person who had a dream and made that dream come true. His faith was an example to those he worked with. He was at Mass on a daily basis and the 4:00 pm rosary would be his time to be thankful.

When I became Executive Director it was Duane who came to me and thanked me for accepting the call. I had known Duane for a long time, as he served on the Heelan Parent Board with my parents long ago. Duane was someone you could be friends with very quickly. I remember the time Duane said to me, “We need someone to cut the grass at

the Mound of Mary, you should think about it”. Sure enough somehow he convinced me to haul my John Deere on a weekly basis up to Trinity Heights and cut the grass. Soon my son John joined me, he on the tractor and me trimming the lawn. Duane always made it a point to come out and say thank you.

Duane’s legacy as a husband and father is special to those who loved him. Duane’s legacy with the Queen of Peace is special as well to those who worked with him. Duane will be remembered for all time as one of the chosen ones to be instrumental in the dream of the Queen of Peace. The beauty of the grounds, the well manicured lawns, the stream running into the pond, the grotto’s, shrines, walkways all are a part of his vision.

Visitors come today and express their joy in their journey here. They tell us how beautiful it is here, what a special place to visit and pray. The peace and tranquility of Trinity Heights is something to behold is often written in so many letters. What they are saying is, “thank you Duane!”

Recently a young man visited the grounds in the early evening. He asked if we could open the Chapel so he could enter and pray. As hard as it is to open the Chapel for every visitor after hours, something or someone, told us to do it. The young man went in and sat and cried. He said he had visited the grounds before and found it so peaceful he wanted to come back. He said he had been away from the Church for a great number of years and his visit here made him want to come back. After speaking to him, he asked if we knew of a place he could go to church and come back to the Faith. This example is what the Queen of Peace is all about. Duane your work here has made this possible and the dream come true. For this young man and all those who come after him, thank you Duane, your commitment and hard work produced beauty to behold. Let the Father say “Good and Faithful Servant, Welcome Home”. God Bless you Duane Sudbeck and thank you for the legacy you have given us.

Don Stevens Executive Director

presentations on the Last Supper carving. Staff, volunteers, and visitors will miss his presence and his example of God-centered living. May he rest in peace. A memorial has been established in Father Seuntjens name at the Queen of Peace.

ExEcUTIVE DIREcTOR cOMMENTSDon Stevens, Executive Director of Queen of Peace, Inc. relates the following story regarding Father Seuntjens’ last days.

“Father was not feeling well, but continued his daily work with some difficulty. When he sought medical help, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and scheduled for a biopsy on a suspicious mass in his lung. Concerned friends at Trinity Heights began a novena to St. Faustina. In her diary, St. Faustina relayed the promise from Christ that whenever the Divine Mercy Chaplet was prayed in the presence of the dying, Jesus himself would stand between the dying and his heavenly Father – not as the Just Judge, but as a merciful Savior.”

These recent memories are vivid. “Father LeRoy learned that the lung tumor was inoperable and the fast-growing cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes. While the Trinity

Heights community was stunned and greatly concerned, Father was confident and calmly accepted the medical report.” He continued, “We took the St. Faustina relic to the hospital room where we continued to pray for Father LeRoy. Father died peacefully -- within ten days of his diagnosis.”

The director recalled Father’s devotion to the Polish saint. “When Father brought the relic home to Trinity’s Divine Mercy Chapel, he did so with great respect and love, carrying her bone fragment relic close to his heart. I am convinced that St. Faustina brought Father LeRoy Seuntjens to his heavenly home in the same manner.”

Duane SuDbeck STory conTinueD from page 1

faTher SeunTjenS STory conTinueD from page 1VETERANS MEMORIAL

The Veterans Memorial continues to be a special place for honoring those who have served this country so valiantly. The East section is almost completely filled and we will be moving to another section soon. Those families that have had the opportunity to place their family member in this memorial have been touched by the reverence shown by visitors to this memorial. If you are interested in having one of your families placed in the Veteran Memorial, you may contact us at info@trinityheights.com, or call the office at 712-239-8670.

pRAYER AND cELEBRATION BANqUET cANcELLEDWe had to cancel The Queen of Peace, Inc. Prayer and Celebration Banquet previously scheduled for June 10. Father Frank

Pavone had committed to speak at this event, but the recent events with his Bishop caused his cancellation. Raymond Arroyo was to be the back up, but he also cancelled the last minute. We are hopefully going to schedule something later in the year!

TRINITY HEIgHTS BUILT ON THE ROcK

June 1, 2012, signage welcoming visitors to Trinity Heights will be completed. What started as a project over 20 years ago is now becoming a reality. The sign committee made up of Bill and Susan Determan, Mike Miller and Denny Rehan spent many hours going over various drawings and designs. They finally came up with a concept that would be accepted by the Board of Directors. We were fortunate to receive a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Missouri River Historical Development which was the catalyst for the project.

We had several people designing concepts and finally the committee agreed on the Avery Brothers project. It is an architectural rock display with debossed lettering, made of polystyrene and polyurea hard coating to create a seamless surface that is strong, durable, will not rust or deteriorate. The sign will be 25 feet long and 8.25 feet high. Three flags will be displayed, the United States of America, a Papal and a Christian welcoming all to our grounds. The sign will be lighted and visible from 33rd Street and Floyd Blvd.

We have been fortunate in the fact a few people were very instrumental is subsidizing the project in honor of their family. We will be placing landscaping around the sign in the fall, with hopefully donations covering that cost. We are very close to having the entire project paid for, but donations are being accepted. The Board of Directors is very appreciative of those who have been so generous to help us toward this long awaited project. June 1st is our projected completion date.

We are very excited to have this new sign welcoming our visitors to Trinity Heights.

25’

8.25’

Flag Pole: 20’ Flag Pole: 20’

Flag Pole: 25’

18” TallLetters

TRAVELINg TILMA VISITS TRINITY

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, under the protection of its guardians Christine and Roger Wilson, visited Trinity Heights on April 27th. When Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego, she left her image imprinted on Juan’s cloak (tilma). The original is on display in Mexico. On the 450th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearance, the bishops of Mexico commissioned the creation of an exact replica for the purpose of evangelization. This replica is currently on tour and stopped in Sioux City. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Diocese of Sioux City and the patroness of the Americas. The image depicts the pregnant Mother of God who has become the protector of the unborn. Many who venerate the image and prayed to Our Lady tell of miraculous blessings and conversions.

The community associated with Trinity Heights responded to the appeal by the U.S. bishops to pray for the restoration of conscience rights and religious liberties threatened by the recent Health and Human Services mandate. To this environment of prayer, the image came to Trinity Heights as one of the pilgrimage stops. Nearly one hundred attended a special prayer service to pay homage to the missionary image and petition Mary for her protection from the infringement on religious freedoms.

Bishop Nickless led the rosary and the consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He also provided pastoral words of compassion and hope in these difficult days. He reminded

us that the Lord promised to be with us always and the church would survive, but it will not be easy. He asked for help from everyone to continue to fight the HHS mandate. Deacon Fred Karpuk offered benediction. As attendees filed past the tilma, reverently touching the 4x6 foot image, attendees prayed a long litany of the saints in petition to Mary.

This is the second time Trinity Heights hosted the missionary image. For those who could not attend this special evening of prayer, Trinity extends an ongoing invitation to prayer, petition, and veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the shrine in her honor on our site.

As our Lady of Guadalupe said, “Here I will demonstrate, I will exhibit, I will give all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection to the people. I am your merciful mother.”

Christine Wilson presented the audience with an explanation of the image’s symbolism

cOME AND VISIT We would like to extend an invitation to all of you to

visit the grounds. The volunteers have worked tirelessly to beautify the area. The grass, shrubs, trees and the running brook is simply beautiful. We have hosted several tours of students and we have received the most gratifying letters back from them. The Statue of the Sacred Heart, Queen of Peace and The Last Supper, leave an impression with these

youth that is so important.

We have had students from Spirit Lake St. Mary’s come and work the grounds as a volunteer project and it

was special to be a part of. They were so energetic and yet so impressed by the peacefulness and spirituality of the grounds.

Summer months normally find us hosting visitors, but the donations are down. We know people are traveling and spending time with their families. We want you to know your generosity has been so special to us and we thank you. We are hopeful you know the dollars we receive go for upkeep and beautification of grounds. We appreciate your prayers and financial support and thank you so much for being a part of the Queen of Peace.

We know our visitors are very taken by the beauty and serenity of the area. The shrines capture their attention and they all leave with an overwhelming sense of reverence. We hope as they leave the holiness of the Queen of Peace, they take back to their parish a deeper commitment to their faith and become more involved in parish life.

Thank you for being a special part of Trinity Heights.