Archived Articles
Aquin Catholic Academy to Close May 29
After much discernment, Bishop David Malloy accepted the recommendation of a task force to close Aquin Catholic Academy.
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The Vicar for Clergy and the Diocese of Rockford announced a list of clergy appointments on May 13, 2026.
Click here to read the full list of new assignments.
1940-2026
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Richard Kramer who died Friday, May 1 and who just celebrated his 60th jubilee as a priest. May God grant him eternal reward.
A visitation will be held at St. Patrick Church, Amboy on Thursday, May 7, from 3-7p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church in Amboy on Friday, May 8 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to Mass.
Read the full obituary here
1932-2026
The Chancery received word that Monsignor Robert Willhite died on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Prime Healthcare Fox Knoll Village in Aurora, IL where he was a resident. A visitation will take place Monday, April 13, 2026, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., at St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Aurora. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Rita of Cascia Parish, Aurora; with visitation from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m., prior to the Funeral Mass. A full obituary will be forthcoming.
Be Reconciled Day, March 25, 2026, is an initiative of the Diocese of Rockford held each year on the Wednesday before Holy Week to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation more readily available and accessible to Catholics as they prepare their souls for Easter.
Recognizing the need for God’s grace and forgiveness in the lives of Catholics, Bishop Malloy asked all 105 parishes in the diocese to set aside March 25 and, where possible, offer confessions on that day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“The Lenten Season is always an important time for us to take stock of our spiritual lives. In the Church’s tradition of prayer, fasting and charity, we draw closer to Christ and to the Church. Our souls are laid open to be strengthened by Christ’s love, grace and forgiveness so it is a real privilege, as priests, for us to focus on the opportunity to offer that forgiveness especially to those who have been away from confession for a long time for whatever reason,” Bishop Malloy said. The bishop added that “ the act of reflecting on our lives and confessing our transgressions is the perfect way to receive the hope and grace promised through Jesus’ death and resurrection.”
Pope Leo XIV has bestowed the designation of “Chaplain to His Holiness” upon Rev. Michael J.K. Fuller, a priest of the Rockford Diocese and General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The pontifical honor comes with the title of Monsignor.
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