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Don't miss these stories in this week's print edition of The Observer:
St. Patrick pre-schoolers (ages 2 thru 4) from St. Charles, performed at a Christmas pageant Dec. 9.
Church-School ruling could have far reaching implications
Proposed Viking stadium sites near Minneapolis basilica raise concern
Decision on tax ruling finalized in favor of San Francisco Archdiocese
Three-year study of women religious completed; Vatican reviews results
Schedule of diocesan events in What’s Up!
“Save the Date” – Events in and around the Rockford Diocese.
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News in The Observer this week:
King's niece helps teach about family and life at annual Rockford breakfast By Amanda Hudson, News editor
ROCKFORD—Dr. Alveda King, niece of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, presented the keynote talk at the 14th annual January Life Breakfast hosted by The Howard Center, the Rockford Diocese Respect Life Office, Rockford Area Lutherans for Life and the Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Center.
She touched on numerous topics in her talk, which she... Read MoreCharities welcomes 'All Hands' as it moves ahead without Foster Care By Amanda Hudson, News editor
ROCKFORD—At the second quarterly "All Hands" meeting of Catholic Charities personnel from around the Diocese of Rockford, one set of statistics neatly summarized last year's loss of the foster care program at the agency.
Of the 66,574 contacts (instances of services provided for Charities' clients) in Fiscal Year 2011 (July 1, 2010 t... Read MoreFather Sabo Pastor of South Beloit Parish SOUTH BELOIT—Father Steven Sabo began his term as pastor of St. Peter Parish in South Beloit in mid-December.
He comes to the parish from Christ the King Parish in Wonder Lake, where he served as administrator from July 1, 2005, to June 29, 2007, then as its pastor until this new assignment.
Born in Rockford, he attended Rock Valley College and earned a bachelor'... Read MoreClosing abortuary does not end our vigilance By Bishop Thomas G. Doran
According to a regional newspaper, the abortion mill in Rockford on Broadway at 10th Street is permanently closed.
That closure is owing to the efforts of many Rockford area people who believe in the sanctity of each and every human life. This coalition of Protestants, Catholics and other people of goodwill, by their constant efforts on behal... Read MoreOfficial Appointments The Rev. Luis A. Higuera Tamayo — to be Parochial Vicar for St. Rita Parish, Aurora, Illinois, and Coordinator of the Aurora Deanery Hispanic Ministry, effective Jan. 7, 2012.
The Rev. Kenneth J. Stachyra — Pastor of St. Bernadette Parish, Rockford, Illinois, to also be Head Chaplain for the Rockford Police and Fire Department, effective Dec. 1, 2011.
... Read More'Zombies vs. Jesus' Comes to St. Charles By Amanda Hudson, News editor
ST. CHARLES—A host of pale-skinned teens sprawl on sofas in the family room of the Eric Groth family home, Jan. 7, watching cartoons. In the kitchen, Sara Ruud munches on a bagel, her long hair spiked a foot high. Going between rooms, youth minister Kim McMillan wields a pair of scissors, cutting holes in zombies' clothing.
A flurry... Read MoreOfficial Appointments Rev. Msgr. Eric R. Barr — Vicar General and Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Durand, Illinois, and St. Patrick Parish, Irish Grove, Illinois, to be also a member of the Diocesan Finance Council, effective Monday, Nov. 21, 2011.
Rev. Steven M. Sabo — to be Pastor of St. Peter Parish, South Beloit, Illinois, and Church of the Holy Spirit, Roscoe, Illinois, effective... Read MoreDeKalb Parish Winds Up Anniversary With Celebration
By Amanda Hudson, News editor
DEKALB—St. Mary Parish wound up months of 150th anniversary events on Saturday, Nov. 19, with a gala at Altgeld Hall on the campus of Northern Illinois University.
The evening included a dinner, reflections and entertainment from parishioners of various heritages: Laura Cervantes sang “El Amor Nunca Pasara (Love Never Fails), while Crystal Gale Dalaguete and Christiane Ong-McCarthy sang “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit (One World, One Song). Jon Walter finished up the presentation with “Georgia on My Mind.”
Reflections from Father Kenneth Anderson, pastor, and a trio of St. Mary parishioners: Caryl Steimel, Bob Krupp and Steve Puscas, were complimented by written thoughts from several priests who served the parish in the past. Read more ...
Bishop Emeritus O’Neill Presents Annual Scholarships
This year’s Bishop O’Neill Scholarship Awards were presented to recipients on Dec. 15 at the Diocesan Administration Center. Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. O’Neill established the scholarship with gifts he received upon his 25th anniversary as bishop of the Diocese of Rockford. One family from each deanery in the diocese received an award. Surrounding Bishop O’Neill are, (in back) Julianne Howard of St. Anne School in Dixon; sisters Sophia, Elizabeth and Francesca Kopacz of St. Mary School in Elgin; Lucas Morrisey of St. Mary School in Woodstock; (in front) Julia Hess of St. Mary School in East Dubuque; Michael Manos of Holy Angels School in Aurora; and Renee Pearson of St. Peter School in South Beloit. Also receiving scholarships are Julianna Marchese of St. Mary School, DeKalb and Jenny Hess of St. Mary School, East Dubuque.
Thieves Steal from the Needy in Freeport
FREEPORT—Police reported that thieves broke into St. Mary Parish Center sometime between 8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 5:30 a.m. Dec. 12 and helped themselves to gifts donated to charity.
“There really wasn’t that much to take. I think they (the thieves) were disappointed after all the energy they put into breaking in,” said Father Timothy Barr, parochial administrator at St. Mary.
The parish center is located across the street from the church in the 700 block of South State Avenue. Read more ...
Pro-Life Events Slated for January in Rockford
ROCKFORD—Two pro-life fundraisers are scheduled around the diocese in January.
The annual Respect Life banquet and benefit at Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, will be Jan. 27, with a social at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and a program.
Featured speakers are Patricia Pitkus Bainbridge, chair for Human Life International and former director of the Respect Life Office for the Rockford Diocese, and Peter Breen, executive director of the Thomas More Society. Proceeds will benefit the Thomas More Society. Read more ...
Bishop Doran Honored for 50 Years as a Priest
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
ROCKFORD—Gratitude was Bishop Thomas G. Doran’s repeated expression in his remarks following the Dec. 13 Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.
“I am grateful to you all,” he said at the conclusion of the Mass, mentioning his brother bishops and priests and “my faithful laity” who were a “lifeline” in his 50 years of ministry.
“I am grateful for your kindness, cooperation, dedication, work and fidelity to the Church,” Bishop Doran said, giving special note to the “three ladies” who brought the offertory gifts to the altar. The three — Rosemary Muldowney, Marcia Vickery and Tammy White — each served as his secretary in his 17 years as Bishop of the Rockford Diocese. Read more ...
Diversity, Camaraderie Hallmarks Of SS. Peter and Paul Centennial
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
ROCKFORD—Azteca Tenoch, a local Mexican dancing troupe provided a colorful closing for SS. Peter and Paul Parish’s centennial year events.
Dancers performed three traditional pieces from their repertoire including the Dance of the Elders, the Guadalajara and the Shell Dance (Conches). The group’s presentation was the highlight of a dinner and social on Dec. 4 at the Lithuanian Club.
SS. Peter and Paul pastor, Father Zbigniew Zajchowski, served as master of ceremonies and Bishop Thomas G. Doran gave a brief address and offered a blessing for the parish. Former pastors of the parish Msgr. Thomas Brady and Father William Collins also attended. Read more ...
‘Reclaim’ Healthy Love
Web-based Program Uses Faith and Brain Science Against ‘Addiction of All Addictions’
By Amanda Hudson, News editor
It is a “typical profile” that is anything but what would typically be expected.
“After more than a dozen years of experience with thousands of individuals, the typical profile of a sexual addict is: they’re very bright, very sensitive, and very spiritual,” says the Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) section of ReclaimSexualHealth.com. Read more ...
Family Movie ‘Game of Your Life’ Shares Message About Loyalty, Commitment
Actors from ‘Glee,’ ‘iCarly’ Join ‘Back to the Future’ Star Lea Thompson for Dec. 2 Show - Sub-Head (Bold-Italic)
By Sharon Boehlefeld, Features Editor
When a bright young video game designer earns a scholarship to an exclusive game design school, he doesn’t expect that the choices he’ll confront will force him to question his values. But an offer to make money that would help his father could force him to abandon new friends and his own dreams. Read more ...
Prayers Continue as Abortuary Appeals State Shutdown
ROCKFORD—Regular prayer sessions will continue outside the shuttered abortuary, here, even as its operators appeal the state health department shutdown.
The group gathered there, Oct. 5, said prayers of thanksgiving for its closure, while also praying for all who have been harmed at the building for more than two decades, for the conversion of its staff, and finally to ask God to work through whatever comes along in the future. Read more ...
Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Centers Continue to Help Women
ROCKFORD—The Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Centers (RAPCC), in a press release, announced they are still open to help women in economic straits and those with unplanned pregancies.
At RAPCC, registered nurses provide ultrasound services. The centers refer for adoption and provide numerous classes on parenting, as well as ongoing peer counseling.
If a client chooses to parent, RAPCC has “baby boutiques” at both locations to help provide for life after baby. Read more ...
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