National Eucharistic Revival
Holy time with God -- Tiempo santo con Dios

The Parish Phase of the
Eucharistic Revival is Here!

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 --
(Click on image at left)


 

 

By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
September 21, 2023
AURORA—Persistence paid off in a big way for students at Aurora area Catholic grade schools, thanks to the efforts of Holy Angels School librarian Diane Rodriguez. Rodriguez was instrumental in bringing Tony award-winning Broadway star Idina Menzel and her sister, acclaimed writer and ... Read More
Patricia Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
September 21, 2023
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
September 21, 2023
PECATONICA—Warren R. LaMont, 84, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 15, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. 
 
Deacon LaMont was born Feb. 25, 1939 in Oregon, Ill., to Marvin and Marie (Ippen) LaMont. He graduated from Rochelle High Schoo... Read More
September 21, 2023
The following are stories shared by readers around the diocese.
 
From Gary Knoll    ... 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
September 21, 2023
STERLING—The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is holding a Bishop’s Luncheon to honor Bishop of Rockford David Malloy on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at St. Mary Parish Center, 600 Ave. B, Sterling.
 
Registration/meet and greet with Bishop Malloy at 1... Read More
September 21, 2023

WONDER LAKE

Christ the King Parish welcomed the Silver Rose for a prayer service Aug. 18.

Each year, eight silver roses travel throughout North America, commemorating the roses that Mary gave to St. Juan Diego. They advance the message of Our Lady ... Read More

By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
September 14, 2023
WINNEBAGO—“Refreshed” and updated landscaping provided background for the annual Remembrance Service for Aborted Children held at Calvary Cemetery, Sept.  9. Bishop David Malloy led prayers for the event held in conjunction with the National Day of Remembrance for Abor... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 14, 2023
AURORA—Alumni from many Madonna High School classes gathered Sept. 10 to pray, reconnect and remember the ups and downs of their years at the school.
 
The all-class reunion was held at Aurora Central Catholic High School, which in 1968 replaced both ... Read More
September 14, 2023
Suicide is rarely caused by one circumstance or event. Instead, a range of factors—at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels—can increase risk. 
 
Read More
September 14, 2023
DIOCESE—Catechetical Sunday, Sept. 17, is a day to honor teachers of the faith. This year’s theme is “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,” from Matthew 11:28. 
 
In the Rockford Diocese, long-term awards will be give... Read More
September 14, 2023
ROCKFORD—The 25th annual Ecumenical Benefit Brunch will be held Saturday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. (brunch and program begins at 9 a.m.), at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2715 S. Mulford Rd. The brunch is co-sponsored by the Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women and the North ... Read More
September 14, 2023
AURORA—The Diocese of Rockford’s Dominican Literacy Center (DLC), run by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, has won a $5,000 award from the Library of Congress. The grant was among 2023 Library of Congress literacy awards announced Sept. 8, International Literacy Day.
<... Read More
September 14, 2023
AURORA—On Aug. 13, a crowd of about 75 gathered at the home of St. Katharine Drexel parishioners John and Layla Groleau to listen to stories from Amma Vodi Orphanage (right) in Vijayawada, India.
 
The benefit dinner was inspired by the Groleaus&rsquo... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 7, 2023
ROCKFORD—Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rockford held an “All Hands” Meeting on Aug. 29, bringing together employees new and old from many offices around the diocese. 
 
Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
September 7, 2023
JoEllen Gregus attended her first Light of the World (LOTW) retreat in 2002 at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake.
 
The parish’s pastor, Msgr. Daniel Hermes, had arrived in summer 2001. By the following spring, he invited St. Thomas parish... Read More
September 7, 2023
Light of the World Evangelization Ministries, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its inspiration began with the SINE retreats (Systematic Integration of the New Evangelization) developed by Father Alfonso Navarro, MSpSC, of Mexico City in the 1970s. SINE is a parish-based model for ... Read More
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
August 24, 2023
HUNTLEY—The 220 couples who gathered Aug. 20, at St. Mary Parish to celebrate at the annual diocesan Silver and Gold Mass represented an astounding total of 10,895 combined years of marriage. Bishop David Malloy was the main celebrant at the Mass, recognizing couples throughout the dio... Read More
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
August 24, 2023
AURORA—The 2023 Catholic Women of Inspiration in the Aurora Deanery were celebrated on Aug. 20, the first time since the pandemic derailed what had been an annual event.
 
The celebration, presented by the Aurora Deanery Council of Catholic Women, was... Read More
August 24, 2023
(In Aurora unless otherwise noted)
Annunciation BVM Parish: Christine Eversole
Blessed Sacrament Parish (N. Aurora): Mary Lynn Kowalski
Holy Angels Parish: Mary Dougherty
Holy Cross Parish (Batavia): Karen McQuillan
O... Read More
August 24, 2023
ROCKFORD—The Holy Name Society of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, here, honored longtime member Sam Oliveri with the 2023 Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his dedication and leadership to the parish, to the Holy Name Society and to Rockford’s Italian-American community. ... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, Editor El Observador
August 17, 2023
ST. CHARLES—People from around the Diocese of Rockford got together on a sunny Aug. 12 morning for a Eucharistic conference organized by St. Patrick Parish at its Crane Road church. About 300 people there listened to the presentations of keynote speakers Archbishop Jerome Listecki, Arc... 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
August 17, 2023
SHANNON—In remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, the St. Wendelin Knights of Columbus here will hold its annual Blue Mass to bless members of law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency service personnel and emergency medical teams on Monday, Sept. 11. 
 Read More
August 17, 2023
ROCKFORD—Mass for the feast of St. Clare was held Aug. 11 at 8 a.m. at Corpus Christi Monastery in Rockford.
 
Bishop David Malloy was joined at the Mass by several seminarians, Father Carl Beekman and Father Connor Orabutt. The Mass welcomed a few do... Read More
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
August 10, 2023
ROCKFORD—If one thing brings a smile to Dan Jaworowski’s face, it’s talking about his Polish heritage. This year, he has even more to smile about as a co-chairperson of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish’s 40th annual Polish Fest. 
 
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
August 10, 2023
FREEPORT—Plans are in the works for this year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Aquin Central Catholic High School.
 
Early in the year, the anniversary will be remembered at the annual Colby Smith Four-Mile Classic In Person and Virtual... Read More
By Lynne Conner, Observer Correspondent
August 10, 2023
ROCKFORD—Boylan Central Catholic High School students will have a new sports choice when they return to school for the 2023-2024 academic year with the introduction of an IHSA lacrosse team.
 
“Having a lacrosse team at Boylan has been discussed... Read More
By Megan Peterson, Features/Multimedia Editor
August 10, 2023
MCHENRY—At first glance, Ron Clark Academy’s house system may look conjured up by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling: students finding belonging in a group, complete with assigned characteristics, point systems and colorful medieval-styled crests. 
 
... Read More
August 10, 2023
FREEPORT—This summer, the Aquin Catholic Schools community is involved in the annual Freeport Health Network (FHN) Miles and Minutes fundraiser program, and the school could win big if enough participants get moving — literally. 
 
The comp... Read More
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
August 3, 2023
ROCKFORD—For   170 years, St. James Parish here has celebrated the feast of its special patron with prayer and thanksgiving. This year’s celebration had the added ingredients of hope and confidence that comes with the knowledge that the parish has turned a tragic day into a... Read More
By Margarita Mendoza, Editor El Observador
August 3, 2023
ELGIN—On July 31, 1898, the cornerstone of St Mary Church was laid, and 125 years later a diverse community of St. Mary parishioners came together to celebrate. 
 
About 400 people participated in the Mass celebrated by Bishop David Malloy and co... Read More
August 3, 2023
BELVIDERE—SportsFest 2023 brought the Rockford area and Fox Valley area communities of Filipino Catholics together socially on July 29 at St. James Parish in Belvidere.
 
The second annual event was hosted this year by the Greater Rockford Filipino-Am... Read More
July 27, 2023
SINSINAWA, Wis.—The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa are working with McCullough Creative to update and relocate the “Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP: Tracing a Journey” exhibit and the “Telling Our Story” heritage exhibit at Sinsinawa Mound. 
&n... 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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