-- AURORA

Marmion raffle April 17 

Marmion Academy’s alumni association is holding a raffle for the schools’ scholarships and financial aid. Tickets are $100; only 1,000 tickets sold. Two drawings for $300 on April 17; grand prize drawing for $25,000 on June 7. Buy tickets at www.marmion.org/raffle

 

Middle school leadership retreat April 21

Marmion Academy’s High School Outreach Ministry Team will host a retreat for Aurora Deanery students in sixth through eighth grades on April 21, 12:30-3:30 p.m., in the school chapel and ministry rooms at 1000 Butterfield Rd.  Discussions and activities will focus on Christian leadership. Cost: none. 

Info: Gerald Chenski, Director of Parish Outreach Ministry, [email protected]

 

-- BATAVIA

Blood drive April 13

Holy Cross Parish will host a blood drive April 13, 7:30-11:30 a.m., at 2300 Main St. Appointments recommended. ID required. Sign up at https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5608399

 

-- BELVIDERE

Women’s retreat April 20

St. James Parish will hold a women’s retreat April 20, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., in the church and Connolly Hall, 402 Church St. The day will begin with Mass, then Father Brian Geary will present on “Living Your Spiritual Life to the Fullest” and on The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena. Breakfast and lunch provided. Cost: $30; register in the church office by April 12. 

 

-- DEKALB

Divine Mercy April 7 

St. Mary Parish’s Divine Mercy Sunday celebration will be April 7, starting at 12:15 p.m. at 329 Pine St. The day’s prayers will be in three languages: Vietnamese, 12:15-1:45 p.m.; English, 1:45-3 p.m.; and Spanish, 3-4 p.m., followed by Mass. Come for Eucharistic adoration, confession, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, readings and more.

 

-- ELGIN

TLC spring gala April 18

TLC Pregnancy Services in Elgin (and Schaumburg and Palatine) will hold its Spring Gala, April 18, 6:30 p.m., at Stonegate Banquet and Conference Center, 2401 Higgins Rd., Hoffman Estates. Guest speaker: singer and songwriter Mark Schultz. Info: 847-622-1235. Website: www.tlcpregnancyservices.com

 

-- OREGON

Cursillo retreats in April

St. Mary Parish will host men’s and women’s Cursillo retreats at its parish center, 881 Mongan Dr. The men’s weekend is April 11-14; the women’s weekend is April 18-21. Free will offering. Email Sandra Ondrla at [email protected]. 

Info: https://rockfordcursillo.org/

 

-- ROCKFORD

Worldwide Marriage Encounter June 28-30

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be June 28-30 at Bishop Lane Retreat Center, 7708 E. McGregor Rd. Application fee: $100. Register at alifetimeoflove.org or call 630-577-0778 for information. 

 

-- WOODSTOCK

September pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Croatia and Slovenia

Father Burt Absalon, pastor of St. Mary Parish, here, will lead a Sept. 16-27 pilgrimage to Me�'jugorje and the shrines of Croatia and Slovenia. Will include daily Mass, visits to Dubrovnik and Ljubljana, and other sightseeing. The $4,999 price also covers round-trip air fare, ten nights at hotels (doube occupancy), air-conditioned transportation, daily breakfast and dinner. Book a spot at www.206tours.com/cms/frburt

 

Outside the Diocese