ROCKFORD—At the April 28 Jubilarian Mass at St. Rita Church, this year’s jubilarians were honored for 10, 25, 40, and 60 years of priesthood.
In addition, the Rockford Diocese’s three transitional deacons who are scheduled for ordination in June proclaimed and signed their Profession of Faith and their Oath of Fidelity on Assuming an Office in the Name of the Church — in this case the office of the presbyterate (priesthood). Those are typically done at seminaries, so that event at the end of the Mass, was an unexpected treat, blending the lives of long-time priests and the soon-to-be.
Bishop David Malloy celebrated the Mass, joined by the jubilarians at the altar along with St. Rita pastor, Father Brian Grady, and the vicar for clergy, Father Phillip Kaim.
In his homily, Bishop Malloy noted how the occasion motivated the priests “to think about all the graces of the presbyterate” locally and throughout the world. He spoke of “the depth of that mystery of the priesthood,” noting how the Good Shepherd walked with and protected the flock, and how temptations from within toward things like comfort and recognition are things today’s shepherds must protect themselves from.
“We celebrate today that He’s called us. He’s joined us … to Himself,” the bishop said. “We’re not just imitating (Jesus), as important as that is,” but He resides within us, he added.
Bishop Malloy noted that the “years of jubilee that we’re celebrating” include joys, sorrows, annual and regularly-scheduled events as well as unexpected surprises. “In all that, it’s Christ working through the shepherds and working through us,” he said of those “essential earthly elements” of the priesthood.
“But we reflect that our joy as priests is particularly that joy of prayer, our personal priestly prayer… joining us to Christ,” he said, pointing to “our very time each day before the tabernacle as priests” and comparing such prayer with the times when Jesus went to be alone to pray and be with the Father.
Bishop Malloy spoke also of the sorrows — “that tiredness, that dealing with illness (and) with advancing age” — and of other such offerings. “That suffering as priests is joined to the cross,” he said. “It is purifying to our priesthood” and shows a fuller joy that “comes from a strength we didn’t even know was possible for us…
“We celebrate different mile markers for our jubilarians, but we thank them because this gives us (a chance) to be grateful, to be joyful, to be reminded of just how deep this calling is …
“Brothers, congratulations. May God continue to bless every one of you and everyone of us because we are doing the work that the Lord has asked us to do, conformed us to, made us shepherds like Himself, and constantly gives us the grace to carry it out.”
2026 Jubilarians
60 years: Father Richard R. Kramer; Father Robert N. Sherry; Msgr. Gerald P. Kobbeman, S.T.L.
40 years: Father Michael E. Morrissey
25 years: Father Burt H. Absalon; Father James C. Canova; Father Reynante P. Talento; Father Dennis L. Vargas
10 years: Father Jhon E. Capera; Father Charles P. Fitzpatrick; Father Sean E. Grismer, S.T.L.
