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National Eucharistic Revival
The Parish Phase of the To help parishioners understand the Eucharist and adoration, The Observer published a special 24-page bi-lingual booklet, Holy Time With God, featuring all the adoration chapels in the Diocese of Rockford. The four-color book includes photos, a map, locations, and open times for the individual chapels along with tips on how to spend your time in adoration. And of course, there is the Eucharistic Revival Prayer composed by our own diocesan director of the Office for Divine Worship, Father Jonathan Bakkelund. The Holy Time With God booklet was an exclusive gift to all subscribers of The Observer. However, you can now download a copy so you, your family or your parish group can begin your diocesan pilgrimage to some or all of these chapels during this parish year of the revival.
-- 24 page booklet available in .PDF format -- |
November 30, 2023
LEE—On Nov. 12, Father Bonaventure Okoro and the parishioners of St. James Parish, here, dedicated a new shrine to Jesus, Infant of Prague.
Within the shrine is a flower garden called Heaven’s Nursery, filled with personalized bricks inscribed... Read More
November 30, 2023
LARGO, Fla.—Father David Engbarth, 75, died Nov. 22, 2023, in his home in Largo, Florida, where he has lived since his retirement from active priestly ministry in 2014.
Complete funeral arrangements are still pending but according to the Vicar... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
November 30, 2023
ROCKFORD—The Diocesan Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Rockford worked through a packed agenda during their regular meeting at the Diocesan Administration Center Nov. 18.
Bishop David Malloy began the day by celebrating Mass with DPC member Fathe... Read More
November 30, 2023
AURORA—The Diocese of Rockford’s Aurora-based Dominican Literacy Center (DLC), run by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, won a $5,000 successful practices award from the Library of Congress, as was announced in the Sept. 15 issue of The Observer.
Read More
November 30, 2023
SINSINAWA, Wis.—Major changes that will impact visitors are taking shape at Sinsinawa Mound.
Negotiations continue with Tricon Construction Group on the possible renovations of the 1964 buildings as an active senior living community and event center owned and run b... Read More
November 30, 2023
-- AURORA
Food packing Dec. 6 -- St. Mary Parish seeks volunteers for its food packing event for Feed My Starving Children on Dec. 6, 7-8:45 p.m., at 555 Exchange Court, here. To register, call 630-892-0480.
&nbs... Read More
November 30, 2023
AURORA
-- St. Peter, 915 Sard Ave.
Advent retreat (English): Dec. 5, 6 p.m., at the church. Led by Deacon Bill Johnson.
... Read More
Advent Invites Us to Silence
Worth the Wait
Father Ryan Browning St. Thomas More Parish, Elgin Pastor Ethicist for the Diocese of Rockford
November 30, 2023
The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a season characterized by anticipation, hope, and prayer. Silence is the theme of Advent, which echoes through the prayers, hymns, and scripture readings, inviting us to cultivate a profound quiet in our minds, hearts, and bodies.
November 30, 2023
DIOCESE—Parishes in the Rockford Deanery and Fox Valley host traditional Filipino Simbang Gabi Masses for nine days before Christmas Eve. The Masses are open to all and details can be found through the hosting parishes.
November 23, 2023
ROCKFORD—One group and one individual illustrated the charitable legacy of the Catholic faith as they were cited during National Philanthropy Day, Nov. 14.
The local chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals holds its annual luncheon ... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, Editor El Observador
November 23, 2023
ST. CHARLES—There is a life-changing program at work at St. Patrick Parish that assists Catholic men to improve their lives and find camaraderie, reflection, and especially, substantial growth for themselves,
“That Man Is You” is s... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, Editor El Observador
November 23, 2023
DEKALB—The 28th annual Great Lakes Catholic Men’s Conference was held Nov. 18 in the Holmes Student Center of Northern Illinois University, where men from different generations and backgrounds — including fathers with children, single and married men and widowers — go... Read More
November 23, 2023
ROCKFORD—On Nov. 9, President Joe Biden visited the Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) plant in Belvidere to give a speech.
Rockford Family Initiative teamed up with the Pro-life Action League to witness for life near the event.
Read More
November 23, 2023
n AURORA
Marmion entrance exam Dec. 2
Marmion Academy will hold its entrance exam for eighth-grade boys on Dec. 2, 9 a.m., at the school, ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 16, 2023
BELOIT, Wis.—The first guest who arrived on Thursday, Nov. 9, seemed most interested in greeting the volunteers at Stateline Works of Mercy and catching up. He’d been out of town for a few months and, over a cup of coffee, shared where he’d been (helping his daughter) and w... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 16, 2023
ROCKFORD—The more than 200 people attending the second annual benefit dinner for the Madonna Renewal Center (MRC) on Nov. 11 were ‘warned’ as they arrived that they might be part of a Knights of Columbus video.
“This year the Knigh... Read More
Megan Peterson Features/Multimedia Editor
November 16, 2023
LOVES PARK—St. Bridget parishioner Debby Brown has seen firsthand the fruits of prayers for vocations — prayers that she is encouraging at her parish through the Vocation Ministry she recently began.
Her son Thomas is a seminarian for th... Read More
November 16, 2023
DIOCESE—Bishop David Malloy will be the featured guest on Catholic Spirit Radio. Bishop Malloy will highlight the Rockford Diocese for the Catholic Spirit Radio listening audience during the Catholic Conversations Program Nov. 25 and 26 and Dec. 2 and 3 at 3 p.m.Read More
November 16, 2023
AURORA—This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, world famous as an American entertainment extravaganza, will include a musician from the Rockford Diocese.
Marmion Academy junior and trumpeter Thomas Chapski was selected to join the 20... Read More
November 16, 2023
BATAVIA
-- Holy Cross, 2300 Main St.
Advent presentation with Mike Pacer: Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m., in the church. Mike Pacer, father of diocesan priest Father Nathan Pacer and author of “The Three Coming... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 9, 2023
ROCKFORD—Members of the Ministry Formation class of 2023 — the 20th graduating class of the program — came together to be commissioned in their work on behalf of their parishes and the Church on Nov. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Peter.
Th... Read More
November 9, 2023
AURORA
Holy Angels: Allison Kapitanoff; Jordan Kapitanoff
St. Mary: Adan Meza; Suny Meza
Our Lady of... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 9, 2023
ROCKFORD—The Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women changed things up this year for its 30th annual Catholic Women of the Year celebration.
Normally an evening banquet event, this year’s Nov. 4 celebration began with late morning Mass cele... Read More
November 9, 2023
DEKALB—Catholic men of all ages are invited to the 28th annual Great Lakes Men’s Conference on Nov. 18, 8:50 a.m.-4 p.m., at Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center at 340 Carroll Ave. Doors open at 8 a.m.
This year, the con... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 9, 2023
WINNEBAGO—The mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery was a fitting setting for Bishop David Malloy’s All Souls Day Mass the morning of Nov. 2. The bishop celebrated the Mass with the assistance of Deacon Peter Addotta for those who gathered for this important and effective prayer of the C... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 2, 2023
ROCKFORD—Poor Clare Extern Sister Maria Seraphim of the Mystical Body of Christ is not exactly an active sister, but not exactly a cloistered sister.
She describes her “personalized” call: “to always be a little sister, stay here, ... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
November 2, 2023
DEKALB—The Observer has again earned recognition for quality journalism in a variety of categories. But one of the most outstanding was in the General Excellence category announced at the annual fall meeting and awards competition of the Northern Illinois News Association (NINA), Oct. ... Read More
November 2, 2023
DIOCESE—Are you called to a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? That’s the question prompted by National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated this year on Nov. 5-11 to promote and pray
for vocations.
In the ... Read More
November 2, 2023
CHICAGO—Rockford native, religious sister and runner Sister Stephanie Baliga, FSE, is calling athletes in the Rockford Diocese to both register and run fast to support the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels (OLA).
The mission, run by the Franci... Read More
November 2, 2023
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The North Central Lieutenancy USA of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem held its annual investiture weekend Sept. 15-18 in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The weekend culminated Sept. 17 at the Cathedral of the Immaculat... Read More
November 2, 2023
ROCKFORD—The Rockford community’s 77th annual performances of George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" will be held the weekend of Nov. 25 and 26, both days at 3 p.m., at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave.
About 65 singer... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 26, 2023
AURORA—The annual gathering of the diocesan Life and Evangelization Office (LiFE) staff and Parish Respect Life Coordinators (PRLC) welcomed about 40 of the parishes’ mostly volunteer PRLCs who bring updates and coordinate pro-life efforts at their respective parishes. The e... Read More
October 26, 2023
NORMAL—Catholic Spirit Radio announced that its network has expanded to the Rockford area.
It can be heard on 88.9 FM in the east and central portions of the Rockford Diocese. Listening areas include Rockford, Loves Park and Machesney Park, Belvider... Read More
Megan Peterson Features/Multimedia Editor
October 19, 2023
WOODSTOCK—Joyful praise, guitar riffs and drum beats invited 100 high school students to get on their feet and sing as the “Be Real” youth rally opened at Marian Central Catholic High School the morning of Oct. 15.
Just as the stud... Read More
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
October 19, 2023
ROCKFORD—The Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women (RDCCW), the Lutheran Women from the North Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) and their guests who gathered for the 25th annual Ecumenical Benefit Brunch at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church got ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 19, 2023
CRYSTAL LAKE—“The idea was to have an ‘interactive’ vocations corner,” says Father Robert Jones, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, explaining that there is “a nice supply of materials on vocations” as part of the corner wall display near the O... Read More
October 19, 2023
DIOCESE—Are you called to a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? That’s the question prompted by National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated this year on Nov. 5-11 to promote and pray for vocations.
In the coming months, the Di... Read More
October 19, 2023
DIOCESE—Parishes throughout the Rockford Diocese prayed rosaries throughout the month of September, National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, to remember loved ones who had been lost to suicide and to pray for suicide prevention.
At Chr... Read More
October 19, 2023
For women, find religious orders and discernment events at https://cmswr.org/
For men, find religious orders at https://www.cmsm.org/ or go to the Institute on Religious Life&rsquo... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 12, 2023
ROCKFORD—The Rockford Diocese Chapter of the Knights of Columbus held its 39th Annual Knights of the Round Table Recognition Dinner at Holy Family Church, here, the evening of Sept. 27.
The annual event recognizes three individual Knights for their ... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 12, 2023
DEKALB—It was a mix of tears and cheers at Christ the Teacher University Parish as 145 diocesan Vincentians — members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Rockford Council — gathered on Sept. 30 for the council’s annual Fall Festival to “Reenergize (Their) Sp... Read More
October 12, 2023
ROCKFORD—Catechist Bernadette Spurr was welcomed to the Diocesan Administration Center here on Oct. 10 by John Jelinek and Cindy Vincent of the Education Office for a presentation by Bishop David Malloy of a certificate honoring Spurr’s 50 years of service as a catechist at St. M... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 5, 2023
AURORA—Benedictine Abbot Joel Rippinger of Marmion Abbey and Academy received a Solemn Abbatial Blessing on Sept. 23 and was formally established as the Sixth Abbot of Marmion Abbey.
He was elected by his fellow monks as abbot on Aug. 19, following the retirem... Read More
By Sharon Boehlefeld, Observer Staff Writer
October 5, 2023
FREEPORT—More than 100 people gathered in front of the stage at Aquin Catholic Schools Sept. 23 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the high school, the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1973, and the 23rd multiclass reunion.
Blue and white balloon... Read More
October 5, 2023
ROCKFORD—Boylan Central Catholic High School honored nine men and women “who embody the spirit and mission of the school” at the Alumni Recognition Awards on Sept. 12.
Judge Mary Linn Green ’70 received The Veritas award. After a 3... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 21, 2023
ROCKFORD—Dr. Kim White began her new role as the superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Rockford just as schools were beginning the new school year across the diocese, Sept. 6.
Her most recent work experience (2022-2023) was as assistant supe... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 21, 2023
ROCKFORD—Richard (Dick) Kunnert has spent many years helping people.
He was a psychiatric rehabilitation counselor for 30 years, then worked to set up programs at mental health centers and a hospital. He is now a board member of the Winnebago County... Read More
August 17, 2023
WINNEBAGO—To commemorate the more than 64 million children killed by abortion and to pray for protection for life,
St. Bridget Parish will hold a memorial prayer service Sept. 9, 10-11 a.m. Prayer will be at the Marker for the Unborn at Calvary Ceme... Read More
March 23, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—The 2023 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) will be held Nov. 16-18 at the Indiana Convention Center for teens ages 14-18. NCYC is produced and presented by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (nfcym.org).
T... Read More
January 26, 2023
DIOCESE—Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rockford will offer the Sanctuary Course for Catholics, an eight-part course for small groups designed to raise awareness and start conversations regarding mental health.
The course will be offered ... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
January 20, 2023
AMMAN, JORDAN—Bishop David Malloy is among bishops from 11 countries who have gathered in Jordan for the annual Holy Land Coordination pilgrimage held from Jan. 14-19 to meet with the Christian community there. There are over 200,000 Christians in the country. Its Catholic parishes, sc... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
January 20, 2023
SINSINAWA, Wis.—In a time of change, the Sinsinawa Dominican sisters count their blessings.
“All of us, regardless of age or need, live in communities with access to nourishing food and quality health care,” they say on their website ann... Read More
A history of growth, decline and continued service
Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, 1847 to present
January 20, 2023
On Aug. 4, 1847, pioneer priest Dominican Father Samuel Mazzuchelli founded the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation with two women, Sisters Seraphina and Ermeline.
Two more women joined in December that year, and by the time of Father Samuel’s de... Read More
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