Date: June 3, 2013
It has come to my attention that media, both regional and national, are continuing to report that the Boy Scouts of America has changed its policy and will admit "openly gay" and/or "openly homosexual" young men. The new policy language adopted by the Boy Scouts of America, which becomes effective on January 1, 2014, does not use those words. It states: "... No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone."...
Click here for the full statement and other resources
The U.S. bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action, to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate; Supreme Court rulings that could redefine marriage in June, and religious liberty concerns in areas such as immigration and humanitarian services.
Click Here for Prayer Resources
May 31, 2013
CHICAGO - The Bishops of Illinois are profoundly grateful that Illinois House lawmakers listened to their constituents and declined to consider legislation that would redefine marriage in Illinois. The Catholic Church and many others have fought hard to oppose this legislation and to preserve our shared religious, legal and cultural understanding of marriage as God and nature intended: the permanent and exclusive relationship between a man and a woman committed to one another and their children. We are most grateful to all those who have courageously joined us in this effort.
The Catholic Church has respect and pastoral concern for our brothers and sisters who have same-sex attraction. We offer our prayerful support to them and their families.
We realize this issue will continue. Catholics and their Church must continue to engage our culture, even through political institutions, and be a consistent advocate for what is right and just while serving the needs of our community to the very best of our ability.
for the Boy Scouts of America
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
Thursday, May 23, 2014 @ 5:48 PM
For over 100 years, thousands of children in Catholic parishes, schools and fraternal organizations have benefited from chartering Scouting units. The Catholic Church has maintained a strong relationship with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) for many years and we hope to maintain that relationship...
Click here to read the full statement
The Reverend Monsignor P. William McDonnell, V.F., Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Freeport, Illinois, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective July 1, 2013.
The Reverend Michael T. Barry, Parochial Vicar for St. Mary Parish, East Dubuque and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Menominee, Illinois, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective July 1, 2013.
The Reverend Arturo Mallari, Parochial Vicar for St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Freeport, Illinois, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective July 1, 2013.
The Reverend Leonardo Maldonado, Parochial Vicar for St. Joseph Parish, Elgin, Illinois, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective July 1, 2013.
Click here for the full list of appointments
Bishop Malloy and Msgr. Glenn Nelson visited St. Paul Church on Monday evening to sympathize with parishioners and thank firefighters who fought the blaze and kept everyone safe.
Please keep Father Andrew Hougan, Pastor of St. Paul the Apostle, the parishoners and all the people of Sandwich, IL in your prayers.
Click Here for Photos From St. Paul (New Photos Added 5-23-2013)
Bishop David J. Malloy Celebrates First Year as Bishop of the Rockford Diocese
Bishop Malloy was ordained and installed as the ninth Bishop of Rockford on Monday, May 14, 2012. Click the links below to view photos of his ordination and installation, and of his first year with the Diocese.
Endorsement by Bishop David J. Malloy
I am grateful to know about the Hearts United 2013 Eucharistic Rosary Rally for Peace and the Family being held in Milwaukee on Saturday, September 7, 2013. Please know of my prayers and best wishes for its success, and the hope that the faithful of the Diocese of Rockford will be able to participate and benefit spiritually from it.
We honor Our Blessed Mother, not only because she gave birth to the Son of God, but also because she was the most perfect among us as a disciple and a follower of Christ. Those lessons of generosity, fidelity and commitment to Christ, so well summarized in the Mysteries of the Rosary, are a timeless lesson for all of us. The Rally's concentration in particular on peace and the family are so needed in our society and in our world.
"It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I join all Catholics of the world in welcoming our new universal shepherd, Pope Francis. The awesome responsibility entrusted to him and the 265 holy men before him truly affect all people of the world. Congratulations to the cardinals of the world who, in concert with the Holy Spirit, chose this new successor to St. Peter. Now, may that same Holy Spirit guide our Holy Father as he takes up the cross of his office and the concerns of the church in the world through his prayer, his action, his charity and in his love for Christ and all of us."
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei..., Pope Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" would begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. The first day of the Year of Faith, is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. . . (Vatican II) and also the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith. The Rockford Diocese is preparing resources and activities to help the faithful in Northern Illinois in that study.
Click here for those resources and a letter from Bishop David J. Malloy for the Year of Faith...
