By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 19, 2019
WOODSTOCK—On Sept. 16, the Marian Central Catholic High School office was busy as office staff continued discovering what was and wasn’t working after a Sept. 9 lightning strike at the school.
The staff had been allowed in at the end of ... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
September 19, 2019
GENOA—St. Catherine of Genoa Parish has experienced numerous locations and challenges since its humble beginnings as a mission church in 1912, and well before, in this farmland community.
With sacrifices by former pastors, priests and parishio... Read More
September 19, 2019
AURORA—On Sept.1, Boy Scouts of America Troop 26 celebrated its 100th anniversary chartered by Holy Angels Parish in Aurora.
The troop attended 11 a.m. Mass together followed by a banquet downstairs in Connor Hall.
<... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 19, 2019
DIOCESE—Two-and-a-half-years-ago, when Tina Antolak read a notice asking for volunteers for the Special Religious Development — SPRED —program at her Crystal Lake parish, she hesitated.
“I’d never worked or spent any le... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 19, 2019
LOVES PARK—This year’s Perpetual Light Mass and dinner was held on Thursday, Sept. 12, at St. Bridget Parish.
Bishop David Malloy celebrated the Mass with Msgr. Stephen Knox, with Deacon Greg Urban assisting.
Batavia Parish Slates Sept. 29 Screening of ‘The Divine Plan’
Film tells story of St. John Paul II and President Reagan
September 19, 2019
BATAVIA—Holy Cross Parish here will host a pre-screening of the documentary “The Divine Plan: Reagan, John Paul II and the end of the Cold War.”
The free screening will be at 5 p.m., Sept. 29, at Rosary High School, 901 N. Edgelawn Dr. i... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 19, 2019
MCHENRY—Seventeen women were honored by parishes in the McHenry Deanery at a banquet on Sept. 15, at Church of Holy Apostles here.
Over 325 people socialized, applauded parish honorees and partook of a buffet featuring chicken and Italian beef hoagi... Read More
September 12, 2019
WOODSTOCK—Marian Central Catholic High School here was closed Sept. 10 after a lightning strike.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., Sept. 9, lightning from a thunderstorm struck the high school causing extensive damage to the chimney and roof. <... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
September 12, 2019
‘Think back to 1928 and 1929, as this was the beginning of the Depression. There were tremendous sacrifices and challenges by the people who preceded you in these pews to keep the school going.’
&mdas... Read More
&mdas... Read More
In the Habit
Habits ‘Should Mark Us’
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 12, 2019
Brother Theodore Haggerty, OSB, is one of the younger monks at Marmion Abbey, scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood next year.
He and Benedictine Father Joel Rippinger talk about the “great witness value” of their habits.
&... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
September 5, 2019
Rockford’s newest Catholic school exceeds projected student count for its first year. All Saints Catholic Academy opens doors Aug. 28 at its downtown campus at St. James Parish, with fresh colors and new backpacks.
ROCKFORD&mdash... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 5, 2019
ROCKFORD—“Every time I come through the door into St. Patrick Church, I feel like I am being hugged,” long-time parishioner Rotha Waldsmith says.
Waldsmith was among many parishioners — old and new — taking part in the parish... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
September 5, 2019
ROCKFORD—Looking on and applauding Rockford’s newest downtown Catholic school was local Catholic businessman and benefactor of All Saints, Pat Bachrodt, who said, “This is a great day, a historic day.”
Principal James Burns c... Read More
September 5, 2019
ROCKFORD—A dinner and golf event to raise money for All Saints Catholic Academy student scholarships is scheduled Sept. 21. And you don’t have to golf to join the dinner.
Dinner will be held at the Beauvais Center at St. James Parish Hall, 428... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 5, 2019
AURORA—Fifteen Aurora-area women were honored by family, friends, priests and parishes the evening of Aug. 25 at Pipers Banquets.
Honorees were feted with dinner, corsages and award plaques during the event.
... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, El Observador Editor
September 5, 2019
AURORA—On Aug. 31 Bishop Daniel Conlon of Joliet said a Mass at Our Lady of Mercy, a Joliet Diocese parish in Aurora, to start an event for life sponsored by 40 Days for Life and the Pro-Life Action League.
Catho... Read More
Messmer’s ‘Damien’ to Highlight 1st ‘A Moveable Feast’ Fundraiser
Catholic Charities begins new event in Rockford, plans to take its story on the road in 2020.
September 5, 2019
ROCKFORD—Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford welcomes Wayne Messmer, the renowned “Mr. National Anthem” of major and minor league Chicago sports teams, to Rockford’s Nordloff Theater Oct. 24.
He will present one show only... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
August 22, 2019
MCHENRY—“You are linked to Mary,” said Bishop David Malloy to parishioners during an evening Mass on the Feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15, at St. Mary Parish, here.
The day held special significance as the parish commemorated its foundin... Read More
August 22, 2019
ROCKFORD—St. Patrick Parish will celebrate 100 years on the west side of Rockford on Aug. 31 with a 4 p.m. Mass followed by a reception.
Bishop David Malloy will serve as main celebrant, joined by priests who have served at the parish and Fath... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
August 22, 2019
ROCKFORD—Seminarians Joshua Moore and Connor Orabutt, both of whom soon will begin their first year of theological studies at St. Mary-of-the-Lake Seminary in Mundelein, took an important step in their vocations discernment on Aug. 15.
That first st... Read More
Silver and Gold
Married Couples Honored at Annual Mass Aug. 18 in Huntley
By Margarita Mendoza, El Observador Editor
August 22, 2019
HUNTLEY—This year 303 couples participated in the traditional Silver and Gold celebration, Aug. 18 at St Mary Parish, here.
Some brought family members and friends to share the day. All received a blessing from Bishop David Malloy.
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
August 15, 2019
BATAVIA—Sister Myra Lambert is a member of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. Her background includes studying the process of giving retreats and the experience of making retreats — directed, preached and one-on-one retreats.
Her M.A.S. d... Read More
August 15, 2019
A retreat is an intentional time away from your daily life.
It can make room for you to experience a new awareness of the presence of God. For generations, people have gone on spiritual retreats to encounter God and experience spiritual renewal.
August 15, 2019
Whether done at home or elsewhere, personal retreats can be helpful and spiritually refreshing.
Get away from your usual surroundings if possible. A change of scene most often results in a change of mind-set. Do this even if you live alone. For a sh... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
August 8, 2019
ROCKFORD—The paint is dry, the floors and windows are squeaky clean, the staff is anxious and the doors are ready to open wide for students at All Saints Catholic Academy on Aug. 28.
Head of Schools, Renee Payne said Aug. 1 that supplies and equipme... Read More
August 8, 2019
Name: All Saints Catholic Academy
First day: Aug. 28, 2019
History: ASCA is located at 409 N. First Street on the campus of St. James Parish, the first Catholic Church... Read More
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
May 2, 2019
ROCKFORD—Those “who began a good work” in the life of Boylan Central Catholic High School alumnae, Amanda Clement, are sharing in the performer’s success as Clement made a visit to her alma mater April 29.
She spoke to choir ... Read More
By Louise Brass, Observer Correspondent
April 11, 2019
MAYTOWN—St. Patrick would be proud! The people of the church named for him in Maytown have kept faith with the founding families and maintained the church building through thick and thin for 100 years.
Although the population in the area has thinned... Read More
By Louise Brass, Observer Correspondent
April 11, 2019
MAYTOWN—The roots of St. Patrick Parish in Maytown go back almost 180 years, and the founding families planted those roots deep.
This parish was started in 1840, before the Civil War. The first Mass was said in the home of William Dolan, just a few ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
April 4, 2019
SPRINGFIELD—It was a busy day March 20 at the State Capitol as an estimated 4,000 pro-life advocates from around Illinois gathered to lobby their elected officials and participate in an afternoon rally against bills that are moving through the House and Senate that would radically dere... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
March 7, 2019
“Katie” has an inner joy that sparkles out, particularly when she talks about God.
Her deep happiness, rooted in God’s mercy, is hard won. Now in her mid-50s, Katie continues to recover from her two abortions, the first done when she was... Read More
March 7, 2019
DIOCESE—Bishop David Malloy asked that his Feb. 28 letter about abortion laws in Illinois be read at all weekend Masses on March 2 and 3. The text of the letter follows:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
March 7, 2019
Abortions laws are in flux in the United States, ranging from a New York law that allows abortion up to delivery to a Missouri law that bans abortion when the heartbeat of an unborn child can be detected.
Catholic News Service reports new abortion legisla... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
February 28, 2019
ROCKFORD—“People want to talk with us because we have a wife (and maybe) children,” said Deacon Ignacio Felix.
Deacon Thomas Petit agreed. “People see us (as someone who) has walked in their shoes,” he said. “They think... Read More
February 21, 2019
DIOCESE—On Feb. 13, two new abortion bills were introduced in the Illinois General Assembly.
They are House Bill (HB) 2467: Parent Notice Abortion- Repeal, and HB 2495: The Reproductive Health Act.
“T... Read More
February 21, 2019
DIOCESE—A vote is expected on Feb. 25 in the U.S. Senate on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311/H.R 962).
If passed, it would require health care providers to care for an abortion survivor as they would any newborn.
... Read MoreNovember 15, 2018
ROCKFORD—The Diocese of Rockford on Nov. 14, released a list of those priests, deacons, and religious against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported.
The list includes the names of six diocesan priests, one perm... Read More
November 15, 2018
“With all my heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. In my heart I treasure your promise that I may not sin against you.” (Ps 119:10-11)
In January 2004, the Diocese of Rockford published a four-page report to th... Read More
 |
A Subscribers Guide to Reading The Observer Digital Edition. - Click Here - |
 |
Learn how you can share that 'special year' in your life |