Our world is going through some exciting times. But excitement isn’t always cause for celebration. Unfortunately our nation has a little too much excitement, thanks to the recent disastrous storms in Texas and Florida. All that was a call to prayer and a call to action for all of us left unscathed here in the Midwest.
However, it is exciting and heartwarming to see our fellow Americans come together and help each other in time of crisis. Whether it be through one-on-one assistance or from long-distance donations like those taken up here in our diocese, it is exciting to see the unity that comes from charity.
Locally, there is always some kind of excitement in our churches. Summer has come to an end and schools and parishes are going headstrong into fall with a flurry of activities, festivals, faith-filled programs and opportunities.
And the Faith Forward Strategic Plan for the Diocese of Rockford has taken root and become a living document that will bring about some pretty dynamic and, yes, exciting changes for the entire landscape of Catholic education in our diocese.
With so many events coming with the change of seasons here in this diocese, I would like to focus your attention on three that I think are not only exciting, but pretty important. And these three will involve not just a few parishes or a few Catholics but all of them. And that in and of itself, is pretty darn exciting.
1. Mass for the 100th Anniversary of Fatima
Bishop David Malloy will observe the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, Portugal, to Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto and Lucia de Jesus Santos at a Mass on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. All Catholics are invited to this Mass where there will be an in-church procession and a renewal of the consecration of our diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As a member of a parish named in honor of the Virgin Mary, I am issuing a challenge to every parish in the diocese with a connection to Mary: Send two representatives to this Mass. Every parish named St. Mary, or for one of her titles (for example, Our Lady of Perpetual Help), for St. Joseph her husband, for the Holy Family or for her son (Christ the Teacher University Parish), try to send two people to represent you and your patron saint at this special Mass. I’ll see you there and pray with you!
2. The Youth Summit
For the fifth straight year, Catholic young people are called to come together to both celebrate and encounter their faith more deeply with their bishop and with each other. This year’s Youth Summit will take place on Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rock Valley College in Rockford. Each year more than 1,500 of our youth have gathered for inspiration and exhilaration through talks, music, Adoration and the sacraments of the Eucharist and confession. The theme this year is “Belonging.” I am excited to see what wonderful messages come from that theme and how all our young Catholics will enjoy their day of faith and fun. (If your teen has not yet registered, call your parish pastor or youth minister. All registrations are completed through parishes.)
3. myParish App
This third event is of particular interest to me on the excitement meter. Our diocese is launching its own app. What I like about this newest technology is that it combines faith, encounter, evangelization and good old Catholic communication, all in the palm of your hand via your phone or tablet. Every parish will have its very own custom app which will also connect you with your diocesan church and of course, the church universal through news, Scripture readings, bulletins, Mass times, calendars and messages, along with a daily Gospel reflection by Bishop Malloy. And what’s even more exciting about myParish app is that you, as a user, can further customize it by setting reminders for yourself to go to Mass and confession, join specific parish groups and even to silence your phone before Mass! The launch of myParish app will take place in all parishes that wish to participate just in time for Advent on the weekend of Nov. 18-19.
I encourage you and your family to participate in all this upcoming excitement and more importantly, I encourage you to pray for the success of all three and for continued excitement for our Catholic faith.