What You Need to Know about Communion and
Coronavirus In the Rockford Diocese |
It is recommended that we all be particularly vigilant about practicing preventative measures as suggested
Wash your hands often |
|
Get Ready to Come Back to Mass
Diocese of Rockford to End Mass Dispensation on July 1
June 17, 2021
ROCKFORD—The dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation will be lifted July 1.
Bishop David Malloy advised priests of the Diocese of Rockford of the change in a June 11 letter.
Read More
June 17, 2021
DIOCESE—On June 10, priests of the Rockford Diocese were informed that, effective on June 11, Illinois has moved Phase 5 in its protocols in helping to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As the state moves forward the Diocese of Rockford issued the fol... Read More
June 17, 2021
The morning of May 27, Father Phillip Kaim, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Rockford, blessed the parish’s new statue of St. Gabriel the archangel before it was lifted and installed in the niche made for it above the front doors of the new parish addition.
June 17, 2021
Congratulations to the priest jubilarians of the Diocese of Rockford
who are celebrating 10, 25, 50 or more years of priesthood!
Read More
June 17, 2021
Diocesan Natives Celebrate Religious Jubilees This Year
Sinsinawa Dominicans
60 years
June 17, 2021
School Sisters of St. Francis
60 years
Sister Elaine Hirschenberger, SSSF
Sister Elaine Hirschenberger celeb... Read More
June 17, 2021
Springfield Dominicans
60 years
Sister Janet Pfile, OP
Sister Janet Marie Pfile, OP, celebrates 60 years as ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
June 10, 2021
ROCKFORD—The atmosphere was joyful as Aaron Downing, James Linkenheld and John McFadden were ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Peter on June 5.
The Rite of Ordination saw them prostrating themselves as everyone sang the Litany of th... Read More
June 10, 2021
The Rev. Aaron Downing —to be Parochial Vicar of St. Bridget Parish, Loves Park, effective June 16, 2021.
The Rev. James Linkenheld — to be Parochial Vicar pro tempore of St. Mary Parish, Byron, effective June... Read More
June 10, 2021
The Observer honored the graduating classes from the eight diocesan Catholic high schools with 12 pages of 'Salute to Grads' coverage of the 2021 seniors.
National St. Timothy Youth Award Presented to Recognize Contributions to Church
Diocesan Parishes and Schools
June 10, 2021
DIOCESE—In the Rockford Diocese, the national recognition — the St. Timothy Youth Award — is given to youth by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, in collaboration with the diocesan Life and Family Evangelization Office.
Read More
28 Women English Learners Honored in DLC’s Class of 2021
Dominican Literacy Center, Aurora
June 10, 2021
AURORA—There was no “Pomp and Circumstance” procession. No mortar boards flung in the air.
But 28 women celebrated graduation from Aurora’s Dominican Literacy Center with tears, hugs and reflections.
The center... Read More
Gathering Guidelines Change Again
Bishop eliminates need for Mass registration, Communion still to be offered only in the host
June 4, 2021
ROCKFORD—In a letter sent May 26, Bishop David Malloy explained updated gathering guidelines for the Rockford Diocese to priests, principals and superintendents, department heads, business managers, and regional directors of religious education.
The... Read More
June 4, 2021
ROCKFORD—Three seminarians will be ordained as diocesan priests by Bishop David Malloy on June 5 at the Cathedral of St. Peter here.
They talk about their lives and vocations here.
<... Read More
June 4, 2021
New priest assignments always signify change for the faithful in parishes as well as for individual priests.
Sometimes, such changes can be difficult, especially where there is considerable affection for a priest.
... Read More
June 4, 2021
Sisters at two locations near the Rockford Diocese are planning workshops to help cope with feelings from the coronavirus pandmic.
Moving forward
SINSINAWA, Wis.— Sinsinawa Mound Center is sponso... Read More
June 4, 2021
In honor of St. Joseph, the Father of Jesus, and of Father’s Day on June 20, The Observer and The Junior Observer are holding an art and coloring contest for children in the Rockford Diocese.
Pope Francis called his letter declaring the Year of St. ... Read More
Got Vax?
Bishop urges everyone to consider three key points when attending Mass, other Church activities
May 27, 2021
ROCKFORD—As Illinois’ Bridge Phase toward normalcy opened last week, Catholics in the Rockford Diocese found themselves confused about how they were to behave.
Bishop David Malloy, in his column (see page 2) writes, “It is no... Read More
May 27, 2021
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace invited Catholics in the United States to offer prayers for the people of China and the well-being of the Catholic Church in that country May 23-30.
May 27, 2021
The Very Rev. Kenneth Anderson — to be Rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford, effective June 16, 2021.
The Rev. William Antillon — to be Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Maple Park, and SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Virgil, e... Read More
Deacons Ordained
Two men take different kinds of vows.
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
May 20, 2021
ROCKFORD—Two men were ordained by Bishop David Malloy as deacons on May 15 at the Cathedral of St. Peter here.
Seminarian Nathan Pacer was ordained as a transitional deacon — an important step before his scheduled ordination as a priest in 202... Read More
State’s Bridge Phase Means Some Changes for Catholics
Back in His Presence guidelines updated, sanitizing and distance important
May 20, 2021
DIOCESE—As the State of Illinois moves into the Bridge Phase of its COVID-19 mitigation recommendations, the Diocese of Rockford has updated its guidance for parishes, schools and related activities.
The changes were announced by Bishop David Malloy... Read More
May 20, 2021
MUNDELEIN—A Summer Scripture Conference is scheduled June 20-25 at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary here.
This year’s conference — Let There Be Light: Science and the Word, An Eternal Relationship — w... Read More
May 13, 2021
DIOCESE—The State of Illinois, as announced on May 6, is preparing to move to the “Bridge Phase” in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus beginning May 14.
Accordingly, the Diocese of Rockford is preparing new ... Read More
Two Parishes Share More Ideas to Help Welcome People Back to Church
Reach Out to Others
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
May 13, 2021
ST. CHARLES/CRYSTAL LAKE—In addition to one parish’s plans featured in the March 12 edition of The Observer, other parishes in the diocese are brainstorming ways to welcome and encourage people to return to church as coronavirus mitigations ease.
Freeport Schools To Unite Campuses
Aquin Catholic schools to be ‘one-stop-shop’ for Catholic education
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
May 6, 2021
FREEPORT—The Aquin Junior/Senior High School located at 1419 S. Galena Ave. here will now become a kindergarten through 12th-grade Catholic school.
In an April 22 letter to parents and Freeport area Catholic parishes, Aquin announced its plan to bri... Read More
May 6, 2021
“In the summer of 1887 a group of Germans obtained an option on the Presbyterian Church on Villa Street,” according to the book That All May Be One, a History of the Rockford Diocese, by Father Robert R. Miller.
The property cost $4,000 dollar... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
April 23, 2021
DIOCESE—Changes are coming in the Diocesan Office of Education and the news, for once, has nothing to do with the pandemic. The changes have everything to do with the retirement of Superintendent of Catholic Schools Michael Kagan.
Retirement on horizon
... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
April 23, 2021
ROCKFORD—“We want to help every person to become wholly engaged in their faith, and empower people to go out and build up the Kingdom of God,” says John Jelinek, director of Ministry Formation.
Read More
Payne begins her new position July 1
Many Consecrating to St. Joseph This Year
By Sharon Boehlefeld, Features Editor
April 23, 2021
Since Pope Francis declared the Year of St. Joseph last December, individuals in the Rockford Diocese have been consecrating themselves to the saint.
Several parishes conducted consecrations around March 19, the feast of St. Joseph.
A few more ar... Read More
April 1, 2021
DIOCESE—On March 23, the Diocese of Rockford updated its list of priests against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported.
The update was the result of the Rockford Diocese being made aware that a religious ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
March 25, 2021
ROCKFORD—Claudia Broman began service at the Diocese of Rockford as its new Charitable Giving Director on March 15.
She brings a wide variety of experience to the position, most recently as development director of Warhawk Catholic, which is the Cath... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 15, 2020
DIOCESE—It is safe to say that in spite of COVID-19 restrictions, priestly discernment continues.
God, after all, doesn’t take vacations and continues to gently call the men he hopes will say “yes” to His dream for them as priests.... Read More
August 6, 2020
Editor’s note: Patrick Winn, director of Catholic Charities, compiled this information for The Observer.
ROCKFORD—Anyone can be at risk of being taken advantage of by a scam and scammers are now using fears driven by the COVID-19 pand... Read More
 |
A Subscribers Guide to Reading The Observer Digital Edition. - Click Here - |
 |
Learn how you can share that 'special year' in your life |