The Observer

Archives 2012 to present (click here)

Click here for older editions of The Observer (1935-1964)
(NOTE: 1958 is missing)

November 7, 2019	Deacon: Be ‘Contagiously Catholic’ Ministry Formation Graduates New Class DPC Learns About and Discusses Family Catechesis Maytown Women Pass 5,000-Dress Mark
October 24, 2019	Conference Encourages Generosity NIU Student Ministers Promote Life at Fair Aquin Celebrates 20th Combined Reunion
October 17, 2019	Holy Family Breaks Ground Deacon Gregory Stevens Dies Oct. 4 in Elgin Grades, Safety Key Topics at Diocesan Schools Gathering Messmer’s Promise: ‘You Will Meet Damien’ DeKalb Newman Center Celebrates Brand New Saint
October 10, 2019	Living Christ’s Teaching in the World Third Combined Collection for This Year Coming Soon Ministry Day Recharges Faith for Action Reaching Out to Help Aborted Babies Remembered at Life Chains in Diocese Oct. 6
October 3, 2019	Herrmann’s Dedication Honored Actor Hopes St. Damien’s Story Inspires Others as it Does Him ‘Christ is Alive’ Theme of Educational Leadership Day Speaker Brings Amazon Synod Importance to Diocesan Employees Still Time to Join a Life Chain
September 26, 2019	Diocese Sends Help to Bahamas Father John A. Slampak Dies Sept. 18 in Rockford DeKalb Deanery Honors Women of Inspiration Life Chains to be Oct. 6 in Diocese Familiar Speakers Headline Diocesan Educational Leadership, Ministry Days
September 19, 2019	Marian Central Works on Becoming Normal After Damaging Lightning Genoa Parish Celebrates 50th Year in Church Aurora Troop 26 Celebrates Centennial SPRED Volunteers Learn as They Teach Society Gathers for Annual Celebration of Faith Batavia Parish Slates Sept. 29 Screening of ‘The Divine Plan’ Seventeen Women Honored in McHenry Deanery
September 12, 2019	Lightning Closes Marian Central Hampshire School Celebrates 90 Years In the Habit
September 5, 2019	‘Your Legacy Begins Today’ Rockford’s St. Patrick Celebrates Centennial Academy Earns Kudos on First Day of School Dinner, golf fundraiser to support All Saints Aurora Deanery Women Feted for Service, Presence Rockford Diocese Catholics Join Joliet at Pro-life Mass, Rosary Messmer’s ‘Damien’ to Highlight 1st ‘A Moveable Feast’ Fundraiser
August 22, 2019	McHenry’s St. Mary Celebrates 125 Years 100th Anniversary To Remember Past, Welcome Future Sept. 11 Blue Mass in Shannon Changes Venue Two Seminarians Take Important Step Silver and Gold
August 15, 2019	St. Clare Honored with Mass, Bread 30th International Rosary Draws Faithful from Across the Diocese Father Mullane, a Rockford Native, Dies Aug. 7 Sacred Heart Festival a Family Event Batavia Sister Gives, Enjoys Retreats Why go on retreat? Try a self-directed retreat
August 8, 2019	All Saints All Ready and Set to Go All Saints at a glance St. Vincent de Paul Members Prepare For Rockford-Area Training Program Annual Festa - All Things Italian
August 1, 2019	Diocese Marks 75 Years of Cursillo Father Burr Dies July 29, Funeral to be Aug. 5 Rockford Parish Hosts Mobile Mexican Consulate Second Men’s Encounter Retreat Welcomes 17
July 25, 2019	Making Room for God Plan of Exodus 90 New Outreach Begins at Crystal Lake Parish
July 18, 2019	Graceful Gardens Bidding Adieu to Tradition Differences in Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus regalia Biking for Babies Brings Pro-Life Message To St. Louis via the Rockford Diocese
July 11, 2019	The Chair First Year at Aurora’s JP2 Catholic Academy Full of Growth, Challenge Maytown parish seeks photos KC selects honorees Tampico Celebrates Sister’s 60th Totus Tuus Coming to a Parish Near You
July 4, 2019	1st Encounter Retreat Prayerful, Fun ‘Top o’ the Morning,’ Diocesan Publications Receive CMC Honors St. Ed CCHS Tidal Wave a Success Huntley Knights and SPRED Host Parish’s 1st Special Needs Mass
June 27, 2019	Hundreds Gather at Eucharistic Congress Father Yovanny Dorado Dies June 22 Kathy Whitcomb Honored at Retirement Party In Knights’ Video, Parents Learn Signs and Defenses for Sexual Abuse
June 20, 2019	Next Steps in Illinois Pro-Life Fight Outlined New Name, Still Some Camp-Style Fun Kathy Whitcomb Retires after Decades of Service Three Seats Open on Diocesan Pastoral Council Aurora Literacy Center Caps 25th Year with ‘Mystery’ Retreat CDA Members Thank DeKalb and Sycamore Catholic School Teachers St. Charles Parishes Gather to Feed Needy
June 13, 2019	DPC Takes on Life Ground Cleared for Campus Changes Registration Open For 2019 Silver And Gold Mass Young Adults Attend Pre-Pentecost Event at St. Mary in Sycamore CDA Honors Education Contest Winners Polo Parish Honors Woman of the Year Elgin DCCW Donates Gifts to Several Area Women’s Shelters St. Mary CCW in McHenry Raises Funds for Parish, Charity Freeport Youth Wins Scholarship to Stanford
June 6, 2019	Four ‘Good Guys’ Ordained for Diocese Service Men and Women Remembered at Memorial Day Mass Groundwork begins for Cathedral campus renovations Bishop David Malloy Issues Statement after Passage of the Illinois Reproductive Health Act Celebrating Jubilees for Priests, Religious Life
May 23, 2019	Boylan Grads Walk Toward Priesthood Together Priests To Retire In June Msgr. Knox to be Vicar for Clergy, Pastor at Loves Park Priests Accept Bishop’s Assignments as Pastors Cathedral Campus Updates Halted Again West Dundee Students Complete Social Studies Project Rockford Diocesan Charismatics Hold Day of Renewal
May 16, 2019	Catholic Educators Gather in Chicago Official Appointments CWL Officers Installed May 8 Diocesan Cemeteries Set Memorial Day Masses Crystal Lake’s St. Thomas Honors Parish Woman of Inspiration
May 9, 2019	Vote Denies Landmark Status Free webinars help parish leaders Elgin parish hosts Immaculée Ilibagiza Sterling Students Win Optimist Club Awards Marian Student Takes Honors in State Contests
May 2, 2019	‘Hamilton’ Actress Returns to Boylan Landmark Decision Now Set for May 6 Holy Cross to host concert May 19 Spring Grove Knights Help Autism Center
April 29, 2019	Act for Your Faith
April 25, 2019	Diocesan Appeal To Be April 27-28 Chrism Mass Precedes Start of Triduum Aurora Catholic Moms Get Together to Share Faith, Fun Life Conversation at Capitol Continues in Freeport Rockford Refugees Take Part in Human Library Good Friday in Aurora a Faith Experience Mass Recalls, Celebrates Gift of Eucharist Two Jail Masses Welcome Men, Women at Easter Landmark Decision Delayed Again Aurora Deanery Celebrates Eighth-Graders, High Schoolers From The Ashes SPRED Trainees Meet in Fox Valley Parishes
April 18, 2019	Catholic Faithful Gather for Confession on April 10, Be Reconciled Day in the Diocese Landmark Decision Laid Over Again
April 11, 2019	Maytown’s ‘New Church’ Marks 100 Years Deep Roots of the Maytown Parish Go Back Nearly 180 Years
April 4, 2019	Diocesan Delegation Talks Life in Capitol Rockford City Council Delays Vote on Landmarking Annual CWL Mass and Luncheon Coming Early May McHenry Deanery Day of Reflection Offers Fun and Faith Acies a Time of Fellowship, Prayer
March 21, 2019	Luncheon Honors Bishop, Priests Updated Passion Enthralls Geneva Caritas Holding Fundraising Raffle Gifts to Catholic Charities Help With School Tuition, Elder Outreach Program Latino Film Festival Elgin Opens with Family-friendly Film
March 14, 2019	John Jelinek Begins Service at the Diocese Rite of Election Welcomes Adults at Two Gatherings March 9 Marmion Inducts Members into Athletic Hall of Fame
March 7, 2019	Collection Helps Around the World Landmarking Moves Forward Despite Opposition Healing and Forgiveness Are a Process After Abortion Bishop Asks for Help Fighting Abortion Plans Underway for Diocesan Trip to Springfield Abortion Laws Vary Across United States Cathedral Parish to Host ‘What God Tells Me’ March 16
February 28, 2019	Dogs Help Holy Angels Students Deacons Learn about Domestic Violence Catholics Big Part of 50th Batavia Brotherhood Banquet
February 21, 2019	Aurora, Diocese Respond to Tragedy in Prayer Old Chancery Status Decision Feb. 28 Two Communities United in One Faith Paintings of Note Depict Dramatic Gospel Messages Deacon David Wilbricht Dies, Funeral on Feb. 16 in Hanover Illinois Legislators Propose New Abortion Laws Prayers, Action Sought On Born-Alive Act
January 24, 2019	Diocesan Groups March in D.C. Observer Salute to Catholic Schools More than 30,000 Apply for Scholarships Annual Ecumenical Breakfast Celebrates Life
January 10, 2019	Collection Aids Work in U.S. and Diocese Rockford City Hall Delays Old Chancery Demolition Bishop Visits Jail on Christmas Day Official Appointments John McGrath Retires after 50 Years with Diocese Father Louis Tosto Retires Priests, Seminarians Face Off on the Court