– AURORA
Marmion raffle holds first drawing Feb. 27, grand prize June 5 — Marmion Academy’s alumni association is holding its 35th annual “Big Ticket Raffle” to support the schools’ scholarships and financial aid. Tickets are on sale for $100; only 1,000 tickets available. A grand prize drawing for $25,000 will be June 5 at the school’s steak fry and lobster boil. Early bird drawings will be Feb. 27 (1 winner, $500) and April 15 (2 winners, $300 each). All winners are eligible for the grand prize. Buy tickets at www.marmion.org/raffle
Memorial car show May 23 — St. George Romanian Byzantine Catholic Church will host its second Sean Grief Memorial Car Show May 23, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at 720 Rural St., here. Cars may register for $10 from 8:30 a.m. to noon; awards will be presented at 2 p.m. The show is open to the public; raffles, food and beverages will be available. The show is held in memory of Sean Grief (1977-2024), a member of St. George Church and a car enthusiast who organized the church’s first car show. Info: Father Fred Peterson, OSB, 630-851-4002
‘Dog Daze’ May 30 — Abbey Farms will hold a dog-themed party May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at 2855 Hart Rd. Guests and their (leashed) dogs are welcome to enjoy treats and dog-themed items from vendors. Eight rescue agencies will be visiting with dogs to adopt. Park admission is $5, which includes arts and crafts, pet educational sessions, live music, and more. Park rides will be open. Proceeds support Marmion Abbey. Check the Abbey Farms Facebook for more events coming this summer. Info: [email protected]
– BATAVIA
Mary celebration May 20 — The Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary will hold an afternoon dedicated to honoring Mary on May 20, noon-3 p.m., at Nazareth Spirituality Center, 717 N. Batavia Ave. The day will open with a group prayer and a prayerful walk through a labyrinth. The May crowning will be at 1 p.m., followed by a presentation on creating a Mary garden. All events are outdoors; dress for the weather. Cost: none. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/05-20-26-sscm
SVdP golf outing May 29 — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Holy Cross Parish will hold their annual golf classic May 29 at Bliss Creek Golf Course, 1 Golf View Rd, Sugar Grove. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m., lunch provided before the 1 p.m. shotgun start. Dinner at 6 p.m. The day will include 18 holes of golf, raffles, lunch and a steak dinner, and cash bar. Cost: $175 before May 15; $190 afterward. A dinner-only ticket is $55. Purchase tickets at https://svdp-holycross.square.site/golf-outing
– DIOCESE
Help neighbors in need — Several counties (Boone, Stephenson, Winnebago, McHenry, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane) in the Rockford Diocese are helped by the Northern Illinois Food Bank. As more neighbors seek assistance, the food bank continues to need volunteers. Volunteers sort, pack and evaluate food. They stock shelves, distribute food at mobile markets, help at events and more. Volunteers can choose from many options, and groups or families of volunteers are also welcome and needed. Sign up at: solvehungertoday.org/
volunteer, or call 630-443-6910.
– FREEPORT
Mental health retreat June 13 — Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Ministry will hold a half-day retreat June 13, 9 a.m.-noon, at St. Joseph Parish, 229 W. Washington Place. The ‘Be Still’ retreat will include guided meditations; a presentation by Father Matthew McMorrow, pastor; adoration; breakfast and more. Cost: none; sign up at https://tinyurl.com/06-13-26-sj-freeport
– HUNTLEY
Parish mission, including concert, June 14-16 — St. Mary Parish will present a three-day parish mission June 14-16 at 10307 Dundee Rd. It will open with the “Emmaus Concert Experience” June 14, 6 p.m., in the parish ministry center. There will be live performances, talks and testimonies by AOH Music. AOH Music will also lead music during “Behold: A Eucharistic Revival” which continues the following nights, June 15-16, 7 p.m., in the church with talks, adoration and reconciliation. Cost: none; donations welcome. For concert tickets, email [email protected]; sign up for the mission at https://tinyurl.com/06-14-26-sm-huntley
Holy Face of Jesus devotion on first Tuesdays — St. Mary Parish holds a monthly morning devotion dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus, first Tuesdays, 6 p.m., at the church, 10307 Dundee Rd. The parish’s image of the Holy Face has been pressed to the traveling relic of the Holy Face (touched to Veronica’s veil, the wood of the Cross and the spear that pierced Christ’s side). Info: 847-669-3137
— LENA
Strawberry social June 3 — St. Joseph Parish’s annual ‘Strawberry Social’ will be June 3, 4:30-7 p.m., at the parish hall, 410 W. Lena St. Dine-in or carry-out. The meal includes a choice of barbecue or ham sandwich, baked beans, chips, and strawberry dessert (options are pie, shortcake and sundae, along with Culver’s vanilla custard). Extra sandwiches will be $4 each. Dessert and a beverage is $5. Full pies will be sold for $15. Full meal cost: $13/adult, $8/child (ages 10 and under). Tickets available at the door.
– LOVES PARK
Wisconsin shrines pilgrimage with Catholic Spirit Radio Aug. 10-12 — Catholic Spirit Radio (CSR), founded in 2011, will celebrate 15 years with a pilgrimage Aug. 10-12. CSR’s first bus has filled, and a second bus is now open with departure from St. Bridget Parish, 600 Clifford Ave. Itinerary includes stops at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse; the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Green Bay; and more. Activities, hotels, bus, and some meals provided. Register by May 31. Only double occupancy is available; cost is $850. Info: catholicspiritradio.com and tickets: https://www.catholicspiritradio.com/lentin-pilgrimage
– POLO
Mass for Life June 14 — St. Mary Parish will hold a Mass to pray for the sanctity and protection of human life and families in the Diocese of Rockford on June 14, 10:15 a.m., at 211 N. Franklin Ave.
– ROCKFORD
Holy Face of Jesus prayer group on third Mondays — A monthly Holy Face of Jesus prayer group has begun and will meet on the third Mondays of each month, 11:15 a.m. followed by a Traditional Latin Mass at noon, St. Mary Oratory, 126 S. Winnebago St., Rockford. The Holy Face prayer time consists of a rosary and various Holy Face prayers, lasting no more than a half hour. Confession is available from 11:15-11:45 a.m. All are welcome.
Mental health first aid training May 30 — Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Ministry and the Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation will hold a day of mental health first aid (MHFA) training May 30, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1010 Ferguson St. During training, participants will learn 1) the MHFA Action Plan with steps to support someone going through a difficult time and 2) how to administer Narcan, an overdose reversal medication. Lunch provided. Cost: none; limited to 30 spots. Sign up by May 15 at https://tinyurl.com/05-30-26-sap-rockford
Scholarship offered for Italian-American students; deadline June 1 — The Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA) awards scholarships each year to students of Italian-American descent at Boylan Central Catholic High School and Rockford-area Catholic grade schools. Applications are now open and are due June 1; they can be found at https://griaa.org/scholarship-committee/
Discern Secular Discalced Carmelite vocation — Adult Catholics, 18-65, who are interested in exploring a lay vocation with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites – Community of the Holy Innocents (see pages 6-7) can contact Amanda Hudson, [email protected] for information. Potential aspirants are asked to attend three meetings in 2026; the new study year starts in January.
Wisconsin shrines pilgrimage with Catholic Spirit Radio Aug. 10-12 — Catholic Spirit Radio, founded in 2011, will celebrate 15 years with a pilgrimage to the national shrines of Wisconsin Aug. 10-12. There will be pickups in Rockford and Normal. Itinerary includes stops at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse; the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Green Bay; and more. Activities, hotels, bus, and some meals provided. Register by April 15 for early bird prices: $750 for double occupancy, $860 for single occupancy. Info: catholicspiritradio.com and tickets: https://tinyurl.com/08-10-12-26-csradio
– ST. CHARLES
Worldwide Marriage Encounter July 10-12 — A non-residential Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be July 11-12 at St. John Neumann Parish, 2900 E. Main St. Application fee: $150. Register at alifetimeoflove.org or call 630-577-0778 for information.
– WOODSTOCK
VBS June 1-5 — Resurrection Parish will host a “Passport to Peace” Vacation Bible School with the theme June 1-5, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the church, 2918 S. Country Club Rd. Open to preschool through fifth grade. Cost: $50/one child; $75/two children; $100/three or more children. Register at https://tinyurl.com/06-01-26-r-woodstock Info: [email protected]
Marian CCHS offers summer camps — Marian Central Catholic High School will offer 20-plus summer camps starting June 8. All camps (except for dance) are offered between June and August for youth and high school at 1001 McHenry Ave. Camps include dance (Sept. 8-9), band, football, cross-country, basketball and more. Dates and age ranges vary, prices range from $50-$250. Find more at https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/ninja-forms/5/2.png and join at https://manage.snap.app/register/mariancc/dashboard/catalog Note: Grade level is the student’s grade in Fall 2026.
‘Popsicle playdates’ for children starting June 9 — Resurrection Parish invites families with young children for play time on the church lawn, 2918 S. Country Club Rd. Dates are June 9 and 23 and July 7 and 21, all from 9-11 a.m. Optional Mass (kids welcome) at 8:30 a.m. There will be popsicles to enjoy and balls, bubbles and chalk for play. Cost: none. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/06-09-26-r-woodstock Info: Mariana Kelm, [email protected]
Coming Soon in The Observer
Silver Rose Hosted By the John F. Kennedy KC Council — For the first time, the Knights of Columbus in Sublette and Mendota hosted the Silver Rose in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
