Young Saint Inspires Local Artist to Create And Share His Own Inspirations
GENEVA—The life and multi-experiences of Johnny Vrba, 25, a Geneva native, are as deeply layered as his creative original artwork and enormous talent. He was inspired by the Church’s first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, and created an extraordinary three-by-four-foot three-dimensional mosaic of him. It blends details of the saint’s life in an intricate mixed media […]
Vocation Director Answers Questions On Seminarians’ Journeys to the Priesthood
By FATHER JACK REICHARDT, Director of Vocations Office The Observer staff, The Observer As we at The Observer attend ordinations, parish missions and Masses at parishes hosting seminarians, we hear a variety of questions from supportive family members and parishioners. “How did you know you wanted to be a priest? How many years will you […]
Mass Addresses Mental Health Work
ROCKFORD—“This is fast becoming my favorite Mass of the year,” said Patrick Winn, former director of Catholic Charities. He was one of more than 50 people who gathered at the Cathedral of St. Peter the evening of May 15 for the annual St. Dymphna Mass to pray for people they know and those they don’t […]
Diocesan Pilgrims Joined in Green Bay’s ‘Walk to Mary
GREEN BAY/ALGONQUIN—On May 2, the annual 22-mile Walk to Mary pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion welcomed around 10,000 people of all ages “from 47 states, Canada, Trinidad, Mexico, Poland and Brazil,” according to an article by OSV News, which added, “More than half of this year’s participants came from outside […]
Official Appointments and Other Changes of Assignments
Official Appointments The Rev. John R. Evans, Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Dixon — to also be Vicar Forane of the Sterling Deanery, effective June 22, 2026. The Rev. James R. Keenan — to be Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Savanna, and SS. John and Catherine Parish, Mount Carroll, effective June 22, 2026. […]
Catechesis Teaches ChildrenTo Know the Shepherd’s Voice
By Megan Peterson, Features/Multimedia Editor DEKALB—At the St. Agatha Atrium at Christ the Teacher University Parish, catechists prepare the learning environment for the littlest of the faithful. In the softly-lit space, they place a handmade chalice and paten on a model altar, set out maps of sites in Scripture, and arrange clay figurines of Biblical […]
Three Men to Be Ordained Priests June 6
By Diocesan seminarians, Diocese of Rockford ROCKFORD—Transitional deacons Patrick Dale Glanville, Bailey Isaac Peterson and Michael Adam Wojnarowski will be ordained priests of the Diocese of Rockford on June 6 at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Here, they share their vocation stories with the faithful, whom they look forward to serving. Rev. Mr. Patrick Dale […]