Gathering introduces society members to centennial

By Amanda Hudson, News editor

LOVES PARK—During their annual gathering, members of the Perpetual Light Society were treated to an Easter season Mass and homily from Bishop Thomas G. Doran and an introduction to the upcoming diocesan centennial celebrations from Penny Wiegert on April 19.

The Perpetual Light Society is comprised of members who have informed the diocese that they have remembered the Church in their will, in a trust, through a charitable gift annuity or some other planned giving vehicle.

Mass was celebrated in the chapel at St. Bridget Parish here, where Bishop Doran welcomed all, saying he was glad they could take advantage of the Easter weekday Mass and "gather some insight as to how God operates."

He spoke of the apostles, how they went from being fearful and trembling to courageously preaching the Gospel, obeying God instead of men. They were the same people, but greatly changed after Pentecost, he said, calling their transformation "one of the stronger proofs of the resurrection."

The risen Jesus, Bishop Doran added, was not the Jesus of the crucifixion but of the transfiguration.

He spoke of the need for transformation for the martyrs of old, including most of the apostles and those listed in the canon of the Mass "who were just kids! All but one were teens," he said of Sts. Perpetua, Agatha, Agnes, Cecelia … who are remembered even after 18 and 19 centuries for their willingness to die rather than deny Christ.

"But they had it easier than you and I," he added dryly. "They only had to make one big choice. To obey is harder for (us). We have to worry about our economics, what others will think, will we lose their respect…"

It is sometimes harder to do what God wants day after day, he said. "But for those who obey God, they are assured of a direct line to the Holy Spirit ‘who will teach you all things.’"

A brunch followed the Mass at Cliffbreakers Restaurant. John Sentovich, director of planned giving for the diocese, and Penny Wiegert, editor of The Observer and diocesan director of media relations, spoke after the brunch.

Sentovich shared a few stories of people he has met and how they figured out sometimes unique ways to share their gifts to benefit the Church. "Is this what the Father would want us to do?" is often the question they ask themselves, he said.

Wiegert’s keynote address, "Continuing the Legacy," was about the upcoming celebrations, plans and materials for the Diocese of Rockford’s 100th anniversary. She is a member of the diocesan planning committee for the centennial.

"It’s these kinds of events that make us think about the (future) of the Church," she said. "It is important to continue and to celebrate the faith we enjoy." She explained why the subject of the centennial was most appropriate for the PLS members.

"You have, by your generosity and devotion to the faith and your diocesan church, made the decision to continue the legacy, a legacy of the search for salvation, for oneness and faith in God through and with the help of the Catholic Church," Wiegert said.

Along with sharing the various details of the centennial celebration and merchandise, Wiegert also passed around informational brochures about the anniversary year which featured the diocesan centennial prayer. She invited the group to be the first to recite the prayer in public.

Wiegert expressed her gratitude at being a part of the history of the diocese both through her parish and through The Observer and promised to continue the legacy of service and information provided by the newspaper since 1935.

To that end, Wiegert announced an invitation to those present and to anyone in the diocese to contribute to a centennial goal for The Observer in honor of the 100th anniversary of the diocese. Wiegert announced that she would work to begin an account with The Catholic Foundation, "to assure the continuation of The Observer (in various forms) so the next 100 years of bishops will always have the means to reach and teach the people of the Rockford Diocese."

For more information about the Perpetual Light Society or the The Catholic Foundation, call John Sentovich at 815/399-4300, ext. 358.