– ALGONQUIN
Register for charity golf tournament by July 15 — The St. Margaret Mary Knights of Columbus Council #11091 will host a golf tournament Aug. 16 at Redtail Golf Club, 7900 Redtail Dr., Lakewood. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m.; shotgun start at 1:30 p.m., with play in a four-person scramble format. Dinner and raffles will follow. Proceeds benefit organizations including Veterans Path to Hope and Team Talia Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Cost: $140/person with early bird pricing; register by July 15 at https://kofc11091.org/hammeropen/
– AURORA
Honey Fest June 27 — Abbey Farms will hold its Honey Fest with bee-themed games and treats on June 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at 2855 Hart Road. Come for vendors, crafts, park rides, live music, and bee-themed treats and drinks. Park admission is $5. Proceeds support Marmion Abbey. Info: [email protected]
‘Christmas in July’ July 11 — Abbey Farms will hold a “Christmas in July” arts and crafts show July 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at 2855 Hart Road. There will be handmade goods, gifts and specialty foods for purchase. Will be held rain or shine; admission is $5. Proceeds support Marmion Abbey. Info: [email protected]
– BATAVIA
Register for golf outing and pool party by July 15 — Holy Cross School will hold a golf outing and pool party Aug. 17 at Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Blvd., Geneva. Golf registration is at 10:30 a.m. and the pool opens at 1 p.m. Food includes lunch (11 a.m.), cocktails and appetizers (5 p.m.), and dinner (6 p.m.). Features awards, auctions, raffles and more. Early bird prices (before July 15) are $200/ adult golfer, $175/child golfer, $15/pool guest and $50 for dinner only. Register at https://birdease.com/35776/register Note: Children at the pool party who are in fifth grade and under must have a guardian present.
– 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.
– HUNTLEY
Parish Walk for Life July 12 — St. Mary Parish’s Walk for Life will be July 12, 1:30-4 p.m., at Old St. Mary Church, 10911 N. Woodstock Street in the Huntley downtown square. Walk is from the church through the square to Third Street and back. Those unable to walk can come for adoration at the old church and pray for an end to abortion. The day closes with a family picnic; bring your own picnic basket and blanket. Hot dogs and Kona Ice provided.
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
– LOVES PARK
Young adult swing dancing June 26, July 18 — St. Bridget Parish will host swing dancing for young adults (twenties and thirties) June 26 and July 18, both from 7-10 p.m. in the parish hall, 600 Clifford Ave. All are welcome; no dance experience or partner required. There will be a swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m., with open dance for the rest of the night. Water and snacks provided. Cost: $5/person. Note interest or RSVP at https://partiful.com/e/qVATHT36tfpeKqCVluM9?
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
Rachel’s Vineyard retreat June 26-28
Rachel’s Vineyard, a retreat for women and men who have been wounded by abortion, will be held June 26-28 at Bishop Lane Retreat Center, 7708 E. McGregor Rd. This retreat is confidential. To register, contact [email protected] or call 815-354-7241. Info: rachelsvineyardrockford.org
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 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.
‘Be Still’ half-day retreat July 18 — A half-day ‘Be Still’ retreat will be held July 18, 9 a.m.-noon, at St. Patrick Parish’s Dempsey Hall, 6N491 Crane Rd. The day will include guided meditations; a presentation by Father Ian Ordoñez, parochial vicar; adoration; breakfast and more. Hosted by Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Ministry. Cost: none. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/07-18-26-sp-stcharles
– WOODSTOCK
‘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]
Radio plays June 28 — Resurrection Parish’s senior club will host the “Those Were the Days” radio players June 28, 2 p.m., at 2918 S. Country Club Rd. The performances will be themed around the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring “Our Miss Brooks Takes a Vacation” and a “You Are There” moment from Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Cost: none.
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.
