Please help!

All Diocesan Parishes Respond
To Devastation in Haiti

Bishop Thomas G. Doran and all parishes in the Rockford Diocese will join with all Catholic churches across the U.S. this weekend in taking up a second collection for the people of Haiti. Donations received during this collection will be forwarded by the Rockford Diocese directly to Catholic Relief Services whose efforts to help the devastated country began immediately as they have been located in the struggling country for many years.

Click here to read the letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and for more information on how to donate.

Your help is deeply appreciated especially your generosity in prayer.

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You Can Join
Catholics at the Capitol

Bishop Thomas G. Doran along with all the Illinois bishops and Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. will join with the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI), to host the second Catholics at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 3rd in Springfield.

This event is a unique opportunity to come to Springfield to meet with elected officials and enhance the inclusion of our gospel values in the public square. All parishes are urged to send representatives to this event. The legislative initiatives that will be the focus of Catholics at the Capitol include:

• Advocating for funding for programs that help Catholic schools purchase textbooks and meet other mandates.
• Maintaining funding for and supporting English and adult education for immigrants to provide effective opportunities for English proficiency, job readiness, and advanced learning.
• Opposing continued efforts to prevent implementation of the parental notification statute and supporting legislation to require that a woman seeking an abortion be provided the opportunity to view a sonogram of her unborn child.
• Protecting traditional marriage and opposing legislation for same-sex marriage or similarly defined civil unions.
• Maintaining the social services safety net by opposing any funding reductions to human services.
• Supporting efforts for the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois.

The Diocesan Respect Life Office will sponsor a bus ride to and from Springfield for Parish Respect Life Coordinators for $30. Anyone else interested in the bus trip can call Laura Christenson at 815/399-4300 ext. 381 For further information on Catholics at the Capitol go to www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org.

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Important Update on Healthcare Reform
During October and November, diocesan and parish leaders were asked by the U.S. Bishops' Conference to distribute two consecutive Nationwide Bulletin Inserts on health care reform. Thank you for your great cooperation in that effort. Since that time the following has occurred:

The U.S. House passed health care reform that reaffirms the essential, longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortion coverage.

The U.S. Senate has rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers of such plans will be required to pay for other people's abortions through a separate payment solely to pay for abortion.

These two bills are being combined into one bill that both the House and Senate will vote on in final form.

Catholics need to make their voices heard insisting that health care reform protect the lives, dignity, consciences and health of all. Provisions against abortion funding and in favor of conscience protection, affordability, and immigrants' access to health care must be part of a fair and just health care reform bill. Unless and until these criteria are met, the final bill must be opposed.

To learn more about how you can help or to download prayers and forms for your parish click here.

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Diocese Launches First YouTube Video
For Catholics Come Home Effort
The Diocese of Rockford has launched its first YouTube Video to enhance its efforts to invite Catholics back to church.

The light-hearted video features the "Top Ten Reasons to Come Back to the Catholic Church," and was produced by the Diocesan Office of Communication with the assistance of Eric Groth of Big Grin Studios in St. Charles.

The video is part of the ongoing Catholics Come Home Initiative begun Dec. 16 by the Diocese of Rockford, the Diocese of Joliet and the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Rockford Diocese will launch 10 more YouTube videos after the new year to answer some of the most frequently asked questions of the Catholic Church.

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Spreading Out a Welcome Mat for Catholics Come Home
By Amanda Hudson
Observer News editor

DIOCESE-A little parking lot etiquette after Mass is one idea.

Smiling at a stranger in church is another.

Answering the phone or an e-mail with a desire to serve, moving over in the pew and praying for the people who are inspired to return to the Catholic faith are all essential to create a welcoming atmosphere in the church...
Click here to view full article.


Employees of the Diocesan Administration Center see the Catholics Come Home Videos and were the first to receive training on welcoming skills.

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The Diocese of Rockford Reissues response to flu

Last year, as reports of the H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu, dominated the news and became a major health concern, the Diocese of Rockford issued recommendations in dealing responsibly with it during sacred liturgy. The full document is being reissued via this web site for pastors and parishes to help them prevent additional outbreaks and to help Catholics practice their faith while protecting their health.

Click here to view full recommendations.