AURORA—The successful Catholic Charities’ fundraiser last year in Rockford will move to Aurora in the fall of 2021.

 

A Moveable Feast fundraising event originally was planned to be a 2020 event in this city located in the southeast corner of the Diocese of Rockford. But, as with so many other things, the coronavirus pandemic derailed those plans, says Patrick Winn, director of Catholic Charities in the diocese.

 

“For the balance of this year,” he says, “it doesn’t look like any venue could accommodate more than 50 people. We believe we can host a much larger, more significant event and send the message that Catholic Charities is present and active in the eastern part of the diocese as well as in communities farther west.”

 

Catholic Charities staff members who serve the Aurora area have been assisting the city in its efforts to address issues raised by recent demonstrations. 

 

The Charities office has worked with the Aurora mayor’s office on the services provided in the area and are “participating as well with outreach programs as (the mayor) tries to bring all parts of the city together to discuss the issues,” Winn says.

 

He adds that Catholic Charities also is helping with census efforts in Aurora, Elgin, and other communities in the diocese.

 

The 2021 A Moveable Feast will build on groundwork begun before the extent of the pandemic’s long-reaching effects were known.

 

“We had identified tentative entertainment and a program,” Winn says, adding that his office had “secured some initial, positive responses to sponsorship requests.”

 

Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin wrote a letter last October to Winn on the occasion of the inaugural A Moveable Feast. He expressed his support of the work of Catholic Charities and enthusiasm for the planned 2020 event. 

 

“As you have helped to make our light shine brighter in Aurora, we look forward to helping make the 2020 A Moveable Feast an outstanding success,” Mayor Irvin said. 

 

Looking forward, Winn feels confident about the 2021 A Moveable Feast, saying, “We anticipate that next year we should have a successful event in support of Catholic Charities.”