CRYSTAL LAKE— A feeling of transformation and evangelization was palpable as it wove through the fourth annual McHenry County Catholic Prayer Breakfast Oct. 11.
The morning began with the power of prayer as hundreds gathered for Mass at this year’s host church, SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Cary, with Bishop David Malloy and Father Carl Beekman, pastor, along with Msgr. Daniel Hermes, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake, and Father Michael Schmitz, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, the morning’s keynote speaker.
In his homily, Bishop Malloy acknowledged the “prayer warriors” in attendance and said “prayer is one of the deepest realities of transformation of the world. It is a healthy cycle that leads us to faith, back to prayer and contact with God.”
Noting that October is the month of the Rosary, Bishop Malloy added “Mary is the perfect follower of Christ and our Intercessor. The Rosary contains every element of our Catholic faith that has been entrusted to us.”
Following Mass, a breakfast was held at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake with over 400 guests who shared powerful fellowship and heard dynamic speakers, Father Schmitz and Chicago award-winning journalist Sheila Liaugminas, who called for action to wake up local evangelization in the McHenry Deanery and the Diocese of Rockford.
Jeff Ladd, Jr., chairman of the MCCPB board of directors, welcomed the crowd at the start of a very full agenda. He acknowledged the hard-working breakfast committee, the government officials in attendance and the clergy “who are our shepherds”. The National Anthem was sung
by a group called “Way” and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren, 14th Congressional District of Illinois, who earlier had praised the group for “gathering faithful people and acknowledging how priceless life is”.
Ladd hoped that the breakfast would “begin a new era of Catholic evangelization and bring together as one voice all of the 17 parishes located in the McHenry County Deanery.”
Before the two main speakers were introduced, Fred Wickham, founder of the MCCPB, was surprised with a bronze statue of Saint Paul the Apostle, in appreciation for his dedication in nurturing the MCCPB to succeed and grow. Wickham was also a co-founder of the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast with Liaugminas. Their hope is to re-institute it once again.
Kim Janicki and Deb Minogue from St. Catherine of Siena Church in Dundee attended to hear Liaugminas, current radio host of “A Closer Look” on Relevant Radio.
The theme of the evangelization of St. Paul continued. Liaugminas called for Catholics to “pray, be informed, and act”. With her interest on the Catholic Church, faith, culture, politics and the media, she stated that “complacency is not an option. We must follow our moral compass; the time is now.”
Liaugminas shared the obstacles and criticisms to the faith from the current culture. “We must remember that it’s not the truth because it’s Catholic, but the Catholic Church teaches it because it is the truth.”
Her passion for the truth was sprinkled with many rich stories and profound quotes by Pope Francis, GK Chesterton, George Orwell, Martin Luther King and Pope Paul VI, who will be beatified by Pope Francis on Oct. 19 during the closing Mass of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family.
Liaugminas recalled speaking at another prayer group when someone said to her “you’re speaking to the choir”. She hesitated and wasn’t sure how to answer, but then was inspired by the Holy Spirit to respond “even the choir has to know the music”. She urged Catholics to speak with one voice. “Your parish is not an accidental collection of people,” she said. “St. Paul believed he proclaimed to all ends of the earth. We must transform the world from this culture of death now through clarity, charity and truth.”
Urgency continued as MCCPB committee member Brian Kelly introduced keynote speaker Father Michael Schmitz. “Research shows that 80% of today’s practicing Catholics are age 50 and older,” Kelly said. “At that rate in 15 years, the Church will shrink by 25%.”
The future Church lies in the evangelization of the young and in McHenry County a rally with over 250 participating teens was held with Father Schmitz at Marian Central High School, Woodstock, the evening before the prayer breakfast.
According to Marilyn Chakkalamoi, Genna Jojo and Susan Bjork of Woodstock, the rally was a huge success. “We’ve heard Father Schmitz before at Holy Hill and in Steubenville and he is awesome,” said Bjork.
Father Schmitz inspires and educates youth and adults about their faith. Sighting examples of St. Paul from the Gospels, Father Schmitz noted the importance of “living your faith seven days a week, not just on Sunday”. According to Father Schmitz, it requires “metanoia, or a transformation, renewal of the mind”.
“Where has Jesus made a difference in your life,” he said. Father Schmitz noted three specific areas on how to change and make a difference. “How does Jesus affect your schedule, checkbook and relationships,” he asked. “Be a leader. Don’t be like everyone else. Don’t follow. Be a disciple of the Church.”
After hearing the speakers and seeing various video clips, including “Priest. Profit. King.” by Father Robert Baron, a former MCCPB speaker, Paul Lawdick of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Crystal Lake said, “Out of 1 to 10, I would rate this breakfast a 20. It was very inspiring and extreme well organized.”
To keep posted on MCCPB future news text MCPRAY to 84576.