The new name of the upcoming new Catholic school in Rockford that will welcome children from four current schools and a total of seven parishes in fall of 2019 was revealed at Sinnissippi Park on June 14. The new name is “All Saints Catholic Academy.”
See more in the June 22 issue of The Observer.
Seminarians Robert Blood, John Kladar and Charles Warren were ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on June 2 during the same Mass when Jhonatan Sarmiento was ordained to the priesthood.
See more photos in today’s issue of The Observer.
ROCKFORD—Transitional deacon Jhonatan Sarmiento will be ordained a priest of the Rockford Diocese by Bishop David Malloy on June 2 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, here.
Rev. Mr. Sarmiento was born in Cucuta, Colombia, where his parents and siblings still live. He is the oldest of five children.
Growing up in a Catholic family and culture, he learned about Jesus and the Catholic faith. Most of his education took place in the Catholic school system. He was an altar boy at his home parish, St. Anthony of Padua.
Upon high school graduation he entered the religious order of the Carmelites, where he completed two years of formation.
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Robert “Bob” A. Bracken, 89, of Rockford, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018. Born June 27, 1928 in Akron, Ohio; he was the son of Harold B. and Mary A. (Jamison) Bracken. He married Lois R. Schultz May 22, 1949 in Kewanee.
Bob was a member of Holy Family Catholic, ordained as a Permanent Deacon in 1975 at St. Peter’s Cathedral and a Grand Knight, Counsel 734 in Kewanee. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Master’s Degree in Social Work at the age of 60 and went into private… practice.
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Bishop David Malloy continued his annual tradition of celebrating Mass at Calvary Cemetery to remember and honor those who have given the “ultimate sacrifice” – a pleasant and solemn start to a steamy Memorial Day. In addition to honoring those who have died, the bishop also included those now serving in the military and all veterans who were present.
On May 26, Bishop David Malloy ordained Antony Maria Minardi to the priesthood at Marmion Abbey’s Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Father Antony Maria is a 2008 graduate of Marmion Academy and entered Marmion Abbey in 2012.
See more in the June 1 edition of The Observer.
The Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Hermes, V.F., Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Crystal Lake, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective Monday, June 18, 2018.
The Reverend Paul M. Lipinski, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Sycamore, Illinois, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective Monday, June 18, 2018.
The Reverend Perfecto L. Vasquez, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Maple Park, and SS Peter & Paul Parish, Virgil, Illinois, to retire with the permission of The Most Reverend Bishop, effective Monday, June 18, 2018.
The Reverend Carl E. Beekman to be Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Sycamore, Illinois, effective Monday, June 18, 2018.
The Reverend Thomas J. Doyle to be Pastor of St. Anne Parish, Dixon, Illinois, effective Monday, May 14, 2018.
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Bishop David Malloy celebrated the annual Catholic Women’s League Mass for Peace, also installing their officers for the coming year. The event was held at the Poor Clare Colettine’s Corpus Christi Monastery chapel. Pictured is Angie Cash, recording secretary, shaking hands with the bishop after agreeing to serve in that capacity. Other officers are, from left, treasurer Mary Kay Tapp, president Jacque Bolger and vice-president Mary Ellen Nash. The group holds a number of service events and fundraisers each year to benefit several people and charities in the Rockford area.
See more in an upcoming edition of The Observer.
The annual Jubilee Mass and luncheon on May 1 honored priests of the diocese who are celebrating significant anniversaries in 2018. Pictured are Father Bonaventure Okoro congratulating Father William Budden as Father Sylvester Nnaso looks on. Father Budden is one of three priests celebrating 50 years of priesthood. Three other priests are celebrating 60 years, three have been ordained for 25 years, and six are celebrating 10 years.
The annual special section in The Observer celebrating men and women jubilarians is coming soon to the May 25 edition.
Bishop David Malloy visits with Madhu Krishnamurthy, a reporter with the Daily Herald newspaper, before speaking as part of a panel of four religious leaders on April 12 at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. The discussion was sponsored by the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association for reporters and others who wished to hear from panelists on how to report on their respective faiths and on religion in general.
More in the April 20 issue of The Observer.
