– AURORA
Classic car show July 25 — Abbey Farms will hold a car show July 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the parking lot at 2855 Hart Rd. Classic and custom cars will be on display. There will also be music to enjoy, shopping at the Nagel Emporium and food at the café. Entering a car is $20 (arrive early for setup). Admission is free for spectators. Proceeds support Marmion Abbey. Info: [email protected]
Dominican Literacy Center to hold tutor training Aug. 22 — The Dominican Literacy Center*, 260 Vermont St. (behind St. Therese Parish), will hold a tutor training session Aug. 22, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., for female volunteers ages 18 and up with at least a high school diploma. Tutors will help women students learn to read, write and speak English during weekly 90-minute sessions from September through May. Tutors do not need to have teaching or foreign language experience, but must attend the training session and watch any additional videos required. (*Note: The center is not accessible to those with limited mobility.) Info: Paula Rossi, Paula@ dominicanliteracycenter.org, 630-898-4636
– BATAVIA
Card writing July 26 — Holy Cross Parish’s Enriching Lives Ministry invites all to make birthday cards for local seniors on July 26, 10 a.m.-noon, in Donovan Hall below the church at 2300 Main St. Treats will be provided. Cost: none.
Series on prayer life for young adults July 10-Aug. 28 — Holy Cross Parish’s Frassati Fellowship invites adults in their 20s or 30s to a series on deepening one’s prayer life on Fridays, 7:30 p.m., in the Holy Cross School library; enter door three at 2300 Main St. Dates are July 10 and 24 and Aug. 7, 21 and 28. Come as your schedule allows.
n ELBURN
CRECHE homeschool group registration event Aug. 7 — Catholic homeschooling families in the Fox Valley area who wish to register for CRECHE (Children Receiving Education in a Catholic Home Environment) can do so at a registration event Aug. 7, 10 a.m.-noon, at St. Gall Parish, 43W885 Hughes Rd. The final registration deadline is Aug. 31. The CRECHE homeschool support group offers events, clubs and field trips. Info: www.crechehomeschool.org, [email protected]
– 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.
– GENEVA
Women’s adoration July 30 — St. Peter Parish invites women to a time of adoration July 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the church, 1891 Kaneville Rd.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Sept. 18-20 — A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be Sept. 18-20 at Comfort Inn & Suites Geneva, 1555 E Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Application fee: $150. Register at alifetimeoflove.org or call 630-577-0778 for information.
– 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
– HUNTLEY, VIRTUAL
Virtual open house for new SPRED group July 29 — A new SPRED group (special religious development) is starting at St. Mary Parish, Huntley. The faith formation group will serve people ages 11-16 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Those interested in participating or volunteering are invited to a virtual open house July 29, 7 p.m. Contact Jennifer Slad at [email protected] for the link
– LOVES PARK
‘Be Still’ half-day retreat Aug. 1 — A half-day ‘Be Still’ retreat will be held Aug. 1, 9 a.m.-noon, at the parish hall across from St. Bridget Church, 600 Clifford Ave. The day will include guided meditations; a presentation by a parish priest; adoration; breakfast and more. Hosted by Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Ministry. Cost: none. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/08-01-26-sb-lovespark Info: [email protected]
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
– 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.
Discern Secular Discalced Carmelite vocation — Adult Catholics, 18-65, who are interested in exploring a vocation with the Secular Discalced Carmelite Order are welcome to visit the local community meeting on second Saturdays, 9 a.m., at St. Rita Parish, here. Three visits before November will be followed by interviews. The new study year begins in January. Information from The Observer’s May 22 issue; contact Amanda at [email protected] or call 815-395-0566.
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
Muldoon and St. Thomas High School class of 1960 reunion Aug. 21 — The class of 1960 of Muldoon and St. Thomas high schools invite their fellow graduates to gather for a reunion Aug. 21, 6 p.m., at Lino’s, 5611 E. State St., here. Pizza and pasta will be served. Cost: $30. To make your reservation or learn more information, contact Kathy Baker, 815-985-5635, [email protected]
Sidewalk advocacy training Aug. 29 — The Rockford Diocesan LiFE Office will host a sidewalk advocacy training session based on the Sidewalk Advocates for Life approach on Aug. 29, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Diocesan Administration Center, 555 Colman Center Dr. Attendees will learn a peaceful, prayerful, and law-abiding sidewalk advocacy method. Lunch provided. Register at https://life.rockforddiocese.org/sidewalk-advocates-for-life/
– WINNEBAGO
Golf outing Sept. 12 — The Knights of Columbus Council #4941 in Pecatonica and Durand will hold a golf tournament Sept. 12, 1 p.m., at Lynx Golf Course at Westlake Village, 3820 Westlake Village Dr., Winnebago. Cost: $85/individual; $320/foursome. Costs include green fees, carts and steak dinner. The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle and other prizes. Hole sponsorships are $100. All fees must be received by Aug. 30. Contact Mark Spain at 815-289-3565 or [email protected] for a form.
– WOODSTOCK
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.
Men’s night July 24 — The Mission of Cor Jesu will host a “men’s night at the mission” July 24, 6-10 p.m., 5615 Hamilton Rd. There will be a summer cookout (and beer), fishing, bags games, a bonfire, and a talk by Father Christopher DiTomo, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Huntley. Cost: $40 donation; visit https://secure.givelively.org/event/the-mission-of-cor-jesu/men-s-night-at-the-mission
Golf outings for Marian CCHS July 27 — Marian Central Catholic High School will hold a day of golf to support student athletes on July 27 at two locations, both in Woodstock:
– Bull Valley Golf Club, 1311 Club Rd. Play will be 18 holes starting at 11 a.m. Cost: $235/golfer, $940/foursome.
– Woodstock Country Club, 10310 Country Club Rd. Play will be 9 holes starting at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $160/golfer, $640/foursome.
Both registrations include golf, lunch, and dinner at Bull Valley Golf Club. Dinner-only is $50. Register at https://e.givesmart.com/events/P7l/
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.
