November 8, 2018
Bishop Offers Masses to Remember
ROCKFORD— On All Souls Day, Nov. 2, Bishop David Malloy celebrated Mass at Calvary Cemetery west of Rockford for the souls in purgatory, including more than 250 people listed in the program who were buried at Calva... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 8, 2018
MCHENRY—A gala for ImaBridge Africa (IBA) held Nov. 3 in the Church of Holy Apostles Sherry Hall was in celebration of 10 years of assistance to persons living in poverty in Nigeria.
About 125 people gathered for dinner, silent and live auctions, presentations and prayers.
This year’s gala was geare... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
November 8, 2018
BATAVIA—A relic of the Lebanese hermit St. Charbel — also known as St. Sharbel — arrived at Holy Cross Parish, here, on Oct. 21 to be permanently displayed in the church.
The relic’s arrival was combined with the testimony of Raymond Nader, a Christian Maronite from Lebanon, whose encounter with St. Charbel has left him wit... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
November 8, 2018
BATAVIA—Since 1994, Raymond Nader has experienced more than 44 apparitions and bears an intermittent imprint of the fingers of St. Charbel on his arm.
Nader shared his stories when he accompanied a relic of St.Charbel to Holy Cross Parish, here, on Oct. 21.
For every moment during the hour he spoke, those in at... Read More
November 8, 2018
ELGIN—The statue of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos visited four parishes in the Rockford Diocese in October: St. Rita of Cascia in Aurora, St. Mary in Sterling; St. Joseph in Elgin, and St. Monica in Carpentersville.
“The Immaculate Conception has been venerated for many years in Mexico, and the devotion of San Juan de los Lagos, Ja... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 1, 2018
HUNTLEY—The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill Assembly 2381, held a Clergy Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 19, where it honored area priests, deacons, religious and recognized seminarians supported by the assembly.
The annual event was held at St. Mary Parish in Huntley, welcoming around 250 people for dinner, prayers, recognitions a... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
November 1, 2018
DIOCESAN—Bishop David Malloy has announced that he will join his brother bishops in dedicating himself to seven days of “intensified prayer and sacrifice” for three specific intentions established by the USCCB:
♦ The healing and support of all victims of clergy sexual abuse.
By Louise Brass, Observer Correspondent
November 1, 2018
CHICAGO—When the fullness of the Catholic faith comes under attack from within or from outside of the Church it takes the will to survive and plenty of grace to make things better, some historians say.
In the era of the Tudors in England, the crypto-Catholicism of William Shakespeare may have helped many Catholics avoid being hanged for their beli... Read More
November 1, 2018
AURORA—After a five-year effort, Marmion Academy here opened the 2018-19 school year with a record enrollment of 550 students.
“It has been a steady growth over the past five years, with each year surpassing the last for the largest enrollment for Marmion ever on our Butterfield campus,” said Anthony Tinerella, head of school and princ... Read More
Administrators Named for All Saints Catholic Academy
New Rockford school to open next fall
November 1, 2018
ROCKFORD—Two familiar faces have been chosen to lead the new All Saints Catholic Academy set to open for the 2019-2020 school year.
Renee Payne will be head of school and James Burns will join her as principal of the new academy that consolidates the students from St. Bernadette, St. Edward, St. James and the Cathedral of St. Peter Sch... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, El Observador Editor
October 25, 2018
ST. CHARLES—In the midst of consolidations and low enrollment in Catholic schools, St Patrick School here is experiencing something altogether different.
“We are at maximum capacity in our enrollment.” said Veronica Day, preschool director.
The numbers reflect several factors.
October 25, 2018
CHICAGO (CNS)—Attorney Jeff Anderson, who has represented clergy abuse victims nationwide, filed a lawsuit Oct. 18 in Chicago against all six Catholic dioceses in Illinois and the Catholic Conference of Illinois for what he described as an ongoing effort to cover up clergy sexual abuse.
The lawsuit wants the state’s dioceses to release all o... Read More
October 25, 2018
ROCKFORD—The Diocese of Rockford issued the following statement on Oct. 18:
The Diocese of Rockford, along with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Dioceses of Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, and Springfield are currently in full cooperation with the State Attorney General’s office inquiry into each diocese’s handling of childhood sex abuse... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 25, 2018
AURORA—On Oct. 14, the Dominican Literacy Center held what its founder, Dominican Sister Kathleen Ryan, called a “friend-raiser” party in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
The event was held on the grounds of St. Therese of Jesus Parish, here, where the center is located. Scheduled highlights included a reunion of graduates and volu... Read More
October 25, 2018
DEKALB—The Observer staff received seven awards in the annual Northern Illinois Newspaper Association (NINA) best newspaper contest.
Penny Wiegert, editor, and Sharon Boehlefeld, features editor, shared first place in the education reporting category for “Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy to Open in Aurora for 2018-19 School Year.... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, El Observador Editor
October 25, 2018
AURORA—In his first visit after the consolidation of four schools into Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy with two campuses, Bishop David Malloy offered a Mass for students and staff at the North Campus at St. Joseph Parish, here.
In his homily at the Oct. 11 Mass, the bishop told everone to “live this life the way Jesus wants it.&... Read More
Building Faith and Modern Churches
Art in Our Churches
By Louise Brass, Observer Correspondent
October 11, 2018
The Church needs architects, stated Pope St. John Paul II in one of his letters written during the last quarter of the 20th century. The Church needs places for the faithful to gather as they celebrate the sacred mysteries, he wrote.
The call to gather together is as old as the Letter to the Hebrews 10:24-25. Designing these places has resulted in big c... Read More
Aid to African Church New to Annual Appeal
Mission Appeal Weekend Oct. 20-21
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 11, 2018
DIOCESE—Several distinct appeals will be combined into one collection to be held in parishes the weekend of Oct. 20-21.
This year’s annual Mission Appeal for the Universal Catholic Church offers a new opportunity to assist the Church in Africa.
The Catholic faith is expanding rapidly in Africa, and ... Read More
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
October 11, 2018
ROCKFORD—Those gathered at the annual Ecumenical Brunch held on Oct. 6 at St. Bernadette Parish in Rockford, got an update on the new initiatives that two community organizations are taking to curb sex trafficking in the Rockford area.
Brittney Fry from the Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (RAASE) and Jimmie Getter of Rockford S... Read More
By Louise Brass, Observer Correspondent
October 11, 2018
DIXON—First they prayed. Then they took to the sidewalks and made the message clear: Unborn babies are complete and unique human beings who deserve to live.
Like many pro-life Catholics around Illinois and the nation on Oct. 7, the Lee County Right to Life (LCRL) group met to pray before standing for an hour to express the need to protect innocent... Read More
October 11, 2018
Holy Cross Church in Batavia received delivery of the parish’s original, 4,000 pound bell early in the week of Sept. 24.
It is to be placed in the bell tower of the anticipated St. John Paul II Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
The parish has had adoration several days a week in a room directly off the main sanctuary... Read More
October 11, 2018
Father Karl Ganss celebrated his Golden Jubilee with a Mass and social the afternoon of Sept. 23 at St. Gall Church.
Father Ganss served at St. Gall from 2003 until his retirement in 2012.
He previously served at St. Mary Parish in DeKalb; St. Mary/St. Patrick Parish, Durand/Irish Grove; St. Patrick Parish, Hartland;... Read More
Aurora School Thankful for Grant
St. Rita of Cascia receives gift from Dunham Fund
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 4, 2018
AURORA— The word “thrilled” is a good description of Principal Elizabeth Faxon as she describes how St. Rita of Cascia School is using a grant from the Dunham Fund.
Faxon joined with retired St. Rita language arts teacher Pat Heneghan and Mary Rockwood, technology director and teacher, to work on the Dunham Fund grant application for a... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 4, 2018
ROCKFORD—Fourteen men were ordained as Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Rockford at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Bishop David Malloy celebrated the Mass, which included the Rite of Ordination for the men accepted to the Sacred Order of Deacon.
“We are happy and we rejo... Read More
October 4, 2018
DIOCESE—A traveling ex-hibition, “Sacred Relics of ohe Saints: Treasures of the Church,” will be touring the Rockford Diocese from Oct. 21 to All Saints Day on Nov. 1.
Father Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross will accompany more than 150 relics, some as old as 2,000 years, to each of the parishes.
Read More
October 4, 2018
PEORIA, Ariz.—Father William P. Knott, died Sept. 26 at Emma Assisted Living, in Peoria, Ariz., where he was a resident. He was 86.
Father Knott was born on April 22, 1932, in Elgin, to Everett and Eleanor Mitchel Knott.
Father Knott graduated from St. Edward Central Catholic High School 1950. After... Read More
Sterling’s St. Vincent de Paul Society Celebrates with Mass, Tour of Pantry
Sixty Years of Giving
By Louise Brass, Observer Correspondent
October 4, 2018
STERLING—It’s a tall order to fill the needs of those who don’t have enough to eat, or enough funds to pay their utility bill, or to pay for a bus ticket to return home after a devastating hurricane in a far off state, but the volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Sterling/Rock Falls have been pulling out all the stops to help those in need for more than half a... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
October 4, 2018
ALGONQUIN—“This sacred space is where faith is enriched,” said Bishop David Malloy on the occasion of the 35th anniversary celebration of the church dedication at St. Margaret Mary Parish on Aug. 26, here.
Parishioners gathered for a Mass marking the church’s Aug. 28, 1983, dedication by the late Bishop Arthur J. O’Ne... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 27, 2018
WOODSTOCK—“If we had scheduled this last week, it would have been 87 degrees,” said Father Stephen Glab, CR, on a picture-perfect fall Sunday. “And the city sprayed for mosquitoes just on Friday!”
The Sept. 23 gathering under a cloudless blue sky in Woodstock Square was in honor of Resurrection Parish’s 40th ann... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 27, 2018
CRYSTAL LAKE—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish was again the setting for the annual Women of Inspiration, welcoming more than 300 people this year to honor 15 women who inspire others in their respective parishes.
Sharon Bills of St. Mary Parish in Huntley, for example, was honored for “sharing her faith and love in her many ministries,” ... Read More
September 27, 2018
SLATE HILL, N.Y.—Father Thomas Bartolomeo died in his home in Slate Hill, NY., Sept. 18, 2018.
Father Bartolomeo was born Feb. 23, 1937, to Nicholas and Mary Laughlin Bartolomeo in Baldwin, NY.
He was ordained for the Diocese of Rockford on May 20, 2006, by Bishop Thomas G. Doran at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 27, 2018
ROCKFORD—Calling it “an opportunity to pray with you (and) just to be with each other,” Bishop David Malloy celebrated Mass for the Perpetual Light Society the evening of Sept. 19 at St. Rita Parish.
“First and foremost, we are here to say ‘thank you’ to God,” the bishop said, adding that “together we offe... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 27, 2018
ROCKFORD—Along with plenty of socializing, smiles and food, a silent auction (above right), live music and raffles galore (right) rounded out this year’s La Promesse luncheon fundraiser for the Catholic Women’s League.
A roomful of people gathered at Giovanni’s Restaurant, listened to music by the Mike Williamson Trio and d... Read More
September 27, 2018
DIOCESE—Parishes in the Rockford Diocese are planning to hold annual Life Chains, along with some opportunities to pray the rosary in public. Most will be held, on Oct. 7.
Life Chains provide a peaceful and prayerful public witness. Diocesan paricipants stand with thousands across the country in honor of millions of babies whose lives have been lo... Read More
September 27, 2018
AURORA—Three parishes here will take part in the 26th International Week of Prayer and Fasting to pray for an end of the “culture of death” in the U.S.
Hosting the evening services will be:
â–º Our Lady of Good Counsel, 620 Fifth St.;
â–º&t... Read More
September 27, 2018
JOHNSBURG—On Sept. 9, St. John the Baptist School took to the streets for the Johnsburg Saufen Und Spiel parade as part of the parish’s 175th anniversary.
Alumni gathered to support the school and walk with current students in the parade.
John Huemann, this year’s parade marshal and alum... Read More
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