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National Eucharistic Revival
The Parish Phase of the To help parishioners understand the Eucharist and adoration, The Observer published a special 24-page bi-lingual booklet, Holy Time With God, featuring all the adoration chapels in the Diocese of Rockford. The four-color book includes photos, a map, locations, and open times for the individual chapels along with tips on how to spend your time in adoration. And of course, there is the Eucharistic Revival Prayer composed by our own diocesan director of the Office for Divine Worship, Father Jonathan Bakkelund. The Holy Time With God booklet was an exclusive gift to all subscribers of The Observer. However, you can now download a copy so you, your family or your parish group can begin your diocesan pilgrimage to some or all of these chapels during this parish year of the revival.
-- 24 page booklet available in .PDF format -- |
No Observer March 29
The Observer does not publish on fifth Fridays. The next paper will be April 5.
ALGONQUIN
-- St. Margaret Mary, 111 S. Hubbard St.
Easter basket blessing: March 30, 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m.
AMBOY
-- St. Patrick, Read More
-- AURORA
Icon writing workshop April 3-7
St. George Byzantine Catholic Church will host an iconography workshop April 3-7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 720 Rural St., taught by iconographer Phillip Zimmerma... Read More
FORT WORTH, Texas—Father Donald Edward Donahugh, 88, died March 9, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he resided for many years.
Father Donahugh was born June 2, 1935, in Chicago, to Agatha and James Donahugh.
He attended Quigley Preparatory... Read More
ROCKFORD—It’s a great idea that just keeps spreading: St. Joseph altars.
Parishes and schools and individuals across the diocese have adopted and sometimes adapted the long-time Italian tradition to honor St. Joseph after he saved residents of Sicily from fa... Read More
ROCKFORD—On St. Joseph’s feast day, March 19, members of the St. Joseph and Sons ministry group,
and others, brought tools to the 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Family Parish for a blessing. Father David Beauvais, chaplain to the group, celebrated the Mass and bless... Read More
ROCKFORD, CRYSTAL LAKE—Spring brings out growth, renewal and new life, both in the world and in the spiritual life. Educational and catechetical leaders in the Rockford Diocese found opportunities for renewal at two retreats: Feb. 22 at Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford and Mar... Read More
We are about to embark on the week that changed the world. Holy Week is the most sacred time we have as Christians. On Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, we enter into the mystery of being present with Jesus Christ so that we might be with Him for eternity.
... Read MoreIn the Gospel of Mark, we hear how the holy women came to Christ’s tomb that first Easter morn, expecting to find there the body of Jesus buried. When they arrived, however, they found that the large stone in front of the tomb had been rolled back.
Upon enteri... Read More
ROCKFORD—After about three years of behind-the-scenes renovations (a new roof and central air conditioning) the current stage of renovations at St. Mary Oratory in downtown Rockford is focused on beauty.
From the newly stenciled ceiling and walls to the sanctuary’s marbl... Read More
St. Mary is the second oldest Catholic church in Rockford, built when the area was still under the territory of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The cornerstone was laid in July 1886 by Chicago Archbishop Patrick A. Feehan, and it was completed in 1887, dedicated in October that year. It... Read More
ROCKFORD—The annual Mass of Thanksgiving for donors to the Diocese of Rockford was held Wednesday, March 6, at St. Rita Church.
The annual event welcomed a few dozen people for Mass where Bishop David Malloy spoke about faith and the important Church seasons, including Lent, w... Read More
What is Hope?
We might say, “I hope it doesn’t rain.”
“I hope I get the job.”
“I hope the Bears are better this year.”
This is not what the Bible means when we are told to have hope. Notice the uncertain... Read More
ROCKFORD—Michael O’Neill, a member of Holy Family Parish in Rockford, continues to investigate miracles in Season 3 of “Explore with the Miracle Hunter,” airing on EWTN television.
The new half-hour episodes will air on EWTN on Saturdays; find times and... Read More
ROCKFORD—The campus of St. James Church here continues to be a busy place with workers all focused on restoring the damage from a lightning strike Aug. 8, 2022.
And as the work continues, the parish officially kicked off its capital campaign to fund the remainder ... Read More
Imagine receiving 30,000 text messages. Imagine receiving 30,000 emails. Imagine receiving 30,000 postcards — with messages from Jesus!
Isn’t this what the Bible is? The Bible contains 30,000 verses and each verse is a message from Jesus.
Many... Read More
The following are celebrations in the Rockford Diocese
honoring St. Joseph around his feast day March 19.
APPLE RIVER
-- St. Jose... Read More
ALGONQUIN
-- St. Margaret Mary, 111 S. Hubbard St.
Parish mission (Polish): March 15, 5:30 p.m.; March 16, 6:30 p.m.; March 17, 1 p.m. Presented by Father Bogdan Plawecki.
Read More
DIOCESE—The second “One in Christ” combined collection — the International Appeal — will be taken up in parishes of the Rockford Diocese the weekend of March 9-10. Envelopes and information have been mailed to registered households prior to the collection. Donors ... Read More
AURORA
~~ St. Joseph. 722 High St.
St. Joseph dinner: March 16, 6 p.m. Call the parish at 630-844-3780 for details.
~~ St. Rita of Cascia, 750 W. Old... Read More
The first coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign took place in 2007, begun by four people in Bryan/College Station, Texas, after Planned Parenthood opened a facility in town.
Read More
ROCKFORD—The Cathedral of St. Peter was the setting for two gatherings of people from across the diocese for the annual Rite of Election on Feb. 17: a 10 a.m. English-speaking group and at 11:30 a.m. those whose first language is Spanish.
Bishop David Malloy welco... Read More
ROCKFORD—A group of prolife people gathered Feb. 13 for the kickoff of this year’s 40 Days for Life campaign in the Rockford area.
The event at St. Bernadette Parish featured guest speaker Steve Karlen.
Karlen got involved in the pro-... Read More
ROCKFORD—It’s been 30 years since the Bilic family arrived in Rockford — the first refugee family fleeing the Bosnia-Herzegovina War to arrive in Rockford.
An article from the Feb. 25, 1994, Observer quotes the then-28-year-old Croatian couple about t... Read More
Abraham was told by God, “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you” (Gen 22:2).
For Abraham, Isaac is his one fulfillment of God&... Read More
BATAVIA
-- Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, 717 N. Batavia Ave.
One-day hybrid retreat: March 9, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., over Zoom or in-person at One Heart, One Soul Spirituality Center, 2041 W. State Rte... Read More
ROCKFORD—During the Advent season of 2023, Bishop David Malloy joined Pope Francis and all the bishops of the U.S. in asking Catholics to participate in a special collection Dec. 16-17 to aid the Holy Land.
Bishop Malloy sent a letter to all diocesan parishes aski... Read More
ROCKFORD—All Saints Catholic Academy and the Cathedral of St. Peter teamed up in late January and early February to collect diapers, wipes and more to benefit the clients of St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center.
The academy collected its donations the week of F... Read More
AURORA—Catholics in the Aurora area are invited this March to discover — or rediscover — the beauty of churches that are close to home.
On March 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the nonprofit group Catholic Church Tours will lead a one-day tour of three Aurora churches: St... Read More
Note: Regular What’s Up events can be found on page 10.
ALGONQUIN
-- St. Margaret Mary, 111 S. Hubbard St.
Fish fry: Feb. 16, March 1 and 15, all from 4:30-8 p.m. in the McDonnell Hall in... Read More
Jesus’ instruction contains two points: The first is “to reform” our lives. The second is to “believe in the Gospel.” “To reform” means acknowledging the presence of evil in our lives and turning away from it. It entails confronting sin and actively di... Read More
ROCKFORD—Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and American Heritage Girls from around the Rockford Diocese — and beyond — gathered the morning of Feb. 4 at the Cathedral of St. Peter for the annual Scout Sunday Mass. The Mass celebrates Scouts who hav... Read More
The Rev. Oscar Cortés — to be Pastor of St. Edward Parish, Rockford, effective Feb. 16, 2024.
The Rev. Juan Ayala — to be Parochial Administrator of St. Rita of Cascia Parish, Aurora, effective Feb. 16, 2024.
Read More
OREGON—The Chancery received word that Rev. Msgr. William H. Schwartz, P.A., S.T.L., 80, of Williams Bay, Wis., died on Wednesday, Jan.
31, 2024, while under hospice care in Oregon.
Msgr. was born on May 18, 1943, in Aurora, to Harry and Eula Mable ... Read More
ELGIN—The Elgin Knights of Columbus Council #654 invite all chili lovers to their “Chili for Charity” dinner and cook-off coming up fast on Feb. 24.
The dinner will be 3:30-7 p.m. at. the St. Thomas More gym, 1625 W. Highland Ave. Proceeds from the event benefit El... Read More
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and Good Friday, March 29, are days for fast and abstinence. All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics, 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day, one full meal is al... Read More
ALGONQUIN
-- St. Margaret Mary, 111 S. Hubbard St.
Lenten Bible study: Tuesdays, Feb. 20-March 26 (except March 19). Afternoon times are 1-2:30 p.m.; evening times are 7-8:30 p.m. The study book costs $20. ... Read More
Diocesan ministries would not be available to parishes and parishioners without the support of thousands of people each year.
“Here at the Diocese of Rockford we want to give thanks to all those who contributed to our annual appeal, whether that be through donations or through... Read More
INDIANAPOLIS—The Tenth National Eucharistic Congress to be held July 17-21 in downtown Indianapolis will have events for specialized audiences as well as large events to be shared by all.
A second webinar for media presented by Joel Stepanek, vice president of pro... Read More
BATAVIA—Father Jonathan P. Bakkelund died on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, while under hospice care in Batavia. He was 39 years old.
Father Bakkelund was born on April 5, 1984, in Rockford, to Gary D. Bakkelund and Pamela L. May.
He attended Mar... Read More
DIOCESE—The next few months bring many events calling pro-lifers in the Rockford Diocese to pray and help shape a culture that respects the dignity of every life.
-- 40 Days for Life: This prayer vigil beg... Read More
ELGIN—On Jan. 25, students and educators at St. Edward Central Catholic High School surprised Tim Brieger for “National Mentor Month, which honors those enhancing the lives of others through experience, knowledge or kindness in the game of life,” said Joe Trost, director of B... Read More
AMBOY
St. Patrick, 32 N. Jones Ave.
Ash Wednesday soup supper: Feb. 14, after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Will be held in the St. Joseph Hall next to the church. Bread and 10 different soups. Free will offering.
DIOCESE—Two luncheons hosted by the Knights of Columbus honored the retired priests of the Rockford Diocese.
They were held in Rockford and Elgin on Oct. 18 and 19 “as a way to show our appreciation and thanks to these truly dedicated men for their many years of past ser... Read More
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