Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford
1243 N. Church Street
Rockford, IL 61103
815-965-2765
Rector: Father Kenneth Anderson
Web: www.cathedralofstpeter.org
Mass Schedule
Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Saturdays (vigil), 4:15 p.m.
Sundays, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.
Holy Day Mass times: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Confession Times
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Saturdays, 8:30-9 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.
History:
In 1920, lots at the summit of Council Hill/Piety Hill were purchased for a combination church and school building: St. Peter Parish, dedicated in February 1922. A grade school of two classrooms opened that fall with 63 pupils and the Sisters of Loretto.
The school grew, the church was moved into the auditorium and the second floor became classrooms. In 1957, a new school was built and later that year it became St. Bernadette Parish. Land was purchased in the 1200 block of Church St., and a new St. Peter Church was built and dedicated in 1960. Msgr. Arthur J. O’Neill served as pastor from 1967-1968 when he became bishop of the diocese in October, 1968.
In 1970, Bishop O’Neill designated St. Peter as the cathedral for the diocese. The formal dedication of the cathedral was Oct. 11, 1978, the 10th anniversary of Bishop O’Neill.
A parish activities center was dedicated in 1984. A new altar and sanctuary were dedicated in 1998 with major renovations including moving the altar forward.
Something special:
Mysteries of the rosary are featured in the stained-glass windows and a rose window above the choir (left) depicts the Crowning of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth. There are also prints around the walls of the cathedral depicting parts of the history of the Catholic Church.
Passport stamps:
Stamps are in the parish office during office hours (Mon-Thurs, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.-noon). Otherwise, stamps will be in the sacristy; pilgrims can ask a priest after Mass.
Corpus Christi Monastery, Rockford
2111 S. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61102
815-963-7343
Papal Enclosure: Poor Clare Colettines
Web: rockfordpoorclares.org
Instructions:
“If you wish to bring a group, please call ahead to make arrangements. If you are visiting the monastery privately, you may ring the doorbell at the main entrance to the monastery and a sister will direct you to the chapel.”
History:
The first Bishop of Rockford, Peter James Muldoon, asked Poor Clares in Cleveland to send sisters to Rockford. The first two arrived in March 1916. A little monastery was begun on North Avon Street.
More sisters came. The current South Main property was purchased in 1920, and in 1926 the chapel was dedicated; the sisters lived in a converted sanitarium on the property. The brick enclosure wall was built 1931-1932; a wing was added to the sanitarium/monastery in 1934 for the extern sisters.
In 1960, the current monastery was built. A novitiate wing was added in 1963, and an infirmary wing in 1990.
Something special:
The Poor Clare sisters remain enclosed behind a grate during Mass in a room left of the altar. Occasionally they meet from behind a grate with groups in the parlor down the hall from the chapel. The most special part of Corpus Christi Monastery is, of course, the sisters!
Passport stamps:
A passport stamp should be set on a table in the back of the chapel for pilgrims to use. If there is no stamp, pilgrims may ask the extern sisters to sign their passports.
