Priests from around the Diocese of Rockford gathered on May 3 at St. Rita Parish in Rockford to celebrate the 2016 priest jubilarians of the diocese.

Msgr. Daniel Deutsch celebrated the Mass, expressing regrets from Bishop David Malloy who was attending the ordination of Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen, N.J., the recent rector of the Pontifical North American College.

Msgr. Deutsch acknowledged the jubilarians and devoted much of his homily to reflections on the priests he remembered as a child and as a young priest, including some who were present at the celebration.

Sometimes it is the smallest things that people remember, Msgr. Deutsch said, adding, “When you manifest the life of Jesus, you manifest the Father.”

Watch for a special section in honor of the 2016 priest and religious order jubilarians May 27 in The Observer.