April 18, 2019
A steady stream of the faithful came to St. Thomas More Parish in Elgin for confession on Be Reconciled Day, including a few who had come to the parish for the first time.
Men and women patiently prayed and waited in the church before they entered the confessional.
A sign explained the procedure for people who haven&... Read More
Observer Staff
April 18, 2019
ROCKFORD—The Rockford City Council, during its regular meeting April 15, voted to send the decision on whether or not to landmark three buildings on the Cathedral of St. Peter campus back to the Codes and Regulations Committee for further review.
Alderman Frank Beach asked the council to lay the vote over to the May 6 meeting to allow the Codes an... 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 in recent decades, today 48 families keep this parish alive and vibrant. While others have moved on... 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 miles from the current church site, at 1336 Maytown Road. A Vincentian priest, Father Parody, ... 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 deregulate and encourage abortions in Illinois.
In a related effort... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
April 4, 2019
ROCKFORD—The Rockford City Council voted April 1 to lay over the vote that would decide landmark status for the former chancery, former convent and Cathedral of St. Peter School, all located on the Cathedral of St. Peter Parish campus in West Rockford.
The diocese and Cathedral parish sought to raze the former chancery and convent bui... Read More
April 4, 2019
ROCKFORD—The Catholic Women’s League Mass for Peace will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m., at Poor Clares Corpus Christi Monastery chapel, 2111 South Main St.
Bishop David Malloy will serve as celebrant at the annual Mass where new CWL officers will be installed. Nomination of officers will be held before the Mass at 9:45 a.m.
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
April 4, 2019
MCHENRY—The McHenry Deanery Council of Catholic Women hosted its fifth annual Women’s Lenten Day of Reflection on March 23 at Church of Holy Apostles.
About 70 women from the deanery and beyond gathered for fellowship, food and faith to enjoy “a really important time ... to get back on track with God,” deanery council president, ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
April 4, 2019
WOODSTOCK—The annual Acies, a time for members of the Legion of Mary to renew their acts of consecration to the Blessed Mother, was held at St. Mary Parish here on March 30.
The day began with a rosary procession, which was followed by Mass, additional prayers, lunch and a talk. In his homily, St. Mary pastor, Father Burt Absalon, spoke about bein... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
March 21, 2019
DIXON—The biennial Bishop’s Luncheon hosted by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women drew 136 women and men to the Brandywine Banquet and Event Center in Dixon on March 13.
The event began with time to meet and greet Bishop David Malloy, socialize at tables, sign spiritual bouquet cards and buy tickets for a cash raffle and several raffle i... Read More
By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
March 21, 2019
GENEVA— What’s the easiest way to connect with God?
“Send Him a knee-mail,” said actor Brad Ellison, as he warmed up the 400-plus early afternoon audience attending the Cross and Light musical at St. Peter parish in Geneva on March 17.
Father Jonathan Bakkelund, pastor, hoped the f... Read More
Landmarking Moves Forward Despite Opposition
Rockford Historic Preservation Commission votes to move decision on old chancery to the City Council.
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
March 7, 2019
ROCKFORD—The Rockford Historic Preservation Commission voted Feb. 28 to approve landmark status for the former chancery for the Diocese of Rockford, a former convent and the Cathedral of St. Peter School, all located on the Cathedral of St. Peter campus, despite strong opposition from the diocese.
After a 5-0 vote, the petition filed by a Ro... 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 a high school sophomore and the second when she was a high school senior.
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,
I write to you at a moment of profound challenge to the citizens of the State of Illinois. I... Read More
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 legislation working its way through Vermont — increasing availablity — and Tennessee &mda... 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 they have a better chance to be understood.”
They were a... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
February 21, 2019
Landmark status of one diocesan and two parish buildings debated at Rockford commission hearing Feb. 12. Diocese plans prayer grotto for cleared space.
ROCKFORD—For nearly three hours Feb. 12, members of the City of Rockford’s Historic Preservation Commission heard presentations supporting and opposing a ... 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.
“There is also a push on in Illinois to ‘modernize’ Illinois’ abortion laws,” ... 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.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chairman of the USCCB committee on Pro-Lif... Read More
Rockford City Hall Delays Old Chancery Demolition
Rockford group seeks historic status for the 1929 building
January 10, 2019
ROCKFORD—Planned demolition of a former parish convent and the former diocesan chancery building, scheduled for safety reasons during the Christmas break at the Cathedral of St. Peter School, was denied by the City of Rockford just days before the buildings were to be razed.
Work was halted because a local Rockford group called the Friends o... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
November 22, 2018
ROCKFORD—Bishop David Malloy and Cathedral of St. Peter Rector Father Stephen St. Jules announced changes and improvements to the Cathedral of St. Peter campus during an informational meeting Nov. 19.
About 35 people gathered in the fellowship hall to find out about the next chapter in parish and diocesan history.
November 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 permanent deacon and eight religious order priests who served for a time in the Diocese of Rockford.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 the people of the Diocese of Rockford which outlined the history of sexual abuse of minors in the dioc... Read More
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