ROCKFORD—It was a sunny and very warm spring day on May 14, 2012. Thousands of Catholics traveled to downtown Rockford, some in cars, some in buses, to be among the first to hear from and see the new shepherd for the Rockford Diocese as he began his service here.

 

Local dignitaries, clergy, religious and laypeople from several states and foreign countries gathered at the BMO Harris Bank Center to take part in the ordination Mass and installation of the ninth Bishop of Rockford, David John Malloy.

 

Here we are 10 years later, preparing to celebrate this first milestone of Bishop Malloy.

 

The Observer will mark the occasion with a special anniversary issue taking a look back not only on that historic day of ordination, but also on some of the highlights of Bishop Malloy’s 10 years of ministry in the 11 counties that make up the Diocese of Rockford.

 

The 10th Anniversary of Bishop Malloy issue will be mailed to all subscribers and be available in homes on or around May 13. Our Spanish publication, El Observador, will also feature the 10th anniversary of Bishop Malloy. The May issue of El Observador will be available in a limited supply of print copies the weekend of May 7-8.

 

Bishop Malloy will have a public celebration of his anniversary during the regularly scheduled Mass May 14 at 4:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter. That Mass will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Rockford YouTube channel and Facebook. Bishop Malloy has also been invited to celebrate with the Hispanic community at St. Joseph Parish, Aurora at 4 p.m. on May 15.

 

Complete coverage of the anniversary celebrations will be featured in the May 20 issue of the The Observer and June issue of El Observador. So you don’t miss any of the coverage, subscribe today to The Observer at https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/subscribe