ROCKFORD--A tragic fire broke out in the roof of St. James Catholic Church, 428 North Second Street, Rockford just before 7 a.m. today, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Although the fire may have been caused by a lightning strike during this morning’s thunderstorms, the official cause is not yet determined.
No one was present inside the buildings at the time of the fire and the pastor, Father Jhonatan Sarmiento, was able to safely remove the Blessed Sacramento from the interior.
Rockford Firefighters were able to immediately respond and quickly contain the fire.
The Diocese of Rockford is fully cooperating with the Rockford Fire Department as the Department completes its work to assess the stability of the church building and report its findings to the diocesan administration. As soon as it is possible and pending that report, the diocese will then conduct an assessment of the church’s interior.
Insurance adjusters for the Diocese of Rockford were on scene this morning, and will assess the damage as soon as it is safe to do so. Determination on damages and the extent of the next steps to be taken in regard to any, and all repairs will be made at that time.
Information about alternative arrangements for Masses will be announced by St. James Parish Office.
Bishop David Malloy extends his profound gratitude to all the first responders, the vigilant neighbors and all those around the diocese who have offered prayers during this extremely sad and unfortunate event. Prayers are also being offered for those three courageous firefighters reported to have sustained injuries while fighting this fire.
Footage from the fire can be seen on the Diocese of Rockford Facebook page.
A full story with photos will be published in the Aug. 12 issue of The Observer Catholic Newspaper
Deacon Simon “Cy” Grossmayer, 94, formerly of Algonquin, IL, died on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Alexian Village in Signal Mountain, TN.
Deacon Cy was born March 28, 1928, in Haymarsh, North Dakota, to Nickolas and Katharina Grossmayer. He was number nine of ten children. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his twenty-year-old daughter, Sandra Mary Mattingly, and his wife Elaine of forty years. He married Ann Reinhart on November 4, 1989.
Deacon Cy is survived by his wife Ann; two sons, Simon Jr. (Gail) of Crystal Lake, IL; James (Doreen Freund) of McHenry, IL; three daughters, Debra Ann Byrne (Martin) of Marengo, Marengo IL; Maria Renee Olsen, of Marengo, IL; and Nora Jan Mangano (Larry) of Fishers IN. He is also survived by two step-daughters, Rebecca Reinhart (Rickey George, Sr.) of Mobile, AL. and Sarah Silbergleid (Steve) of Naperville IL. Deacon Cy was blessed with eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, one step-granddaughter and one step-grandson.
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Recent public reports suggest that efforts are being made to open a facility providing abortion services in the city of Rockford. In this moment following the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, I urge all the faithful and people of good will throughout the Diocese of Rockford to renew their commitment to the sanctity of human life at all stages.
Every life, beginning at conception and lasting until death, is sacred. Life is a precious gift in the eyes of God, and both science and reason call upon us to welcome all members of the human family to the table. This is the basis of a society that loves and respects all of its members. For this reason, we work to offer help and encouragement to families, single mothers, and women and children who are in need.
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The Diocese of Rockford issued a statement on today’s Supreme Court’s decision which has overturned Roe v Wade. Here is the full statement:
The Supreme Court decision, released today in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, is a moment for profound reflection for our nation.
The Catholic Church, along with many other people of faith and of good will, has long sought the reversal of the 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. That tragic decision legalized abortion in the United States. The result has been over 63 million lives lost by abortion. Each of those babies were recognized by science, reason and faith as members of the human family who were made in the image and likeness of God and who had already begun their journey with us as our brothers and sisters. Roe v. Wade has caused a collective loss of recognition and love for them as human beings and for their right to life enshrined in our Constitution and our national purpose.
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WAUPACA, Wis.— Father Theodore Vincent Lewandowski peacefully died in his home in Waupaca, Wis., on June 15, 2022. He was 91 years old.
Father Lewandowski was born Aug. 31, 1930, and grew up in Chicago. He studied at Holy Ghost Mission Seminary in East Troy, Wis.; St. Mary Novitiate; St. Paul Seminary; and St. Mary Seminary in Techny.
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ROCKFORD--In the May 27 issue of The Observer, Bishop David Malloy explained, in his regular column on page 2, that “it is no secret that faith in the Eucharist has diminished today.” That is why the Bishops of the United States are sponsoring a National Eucharistic Revival.
The three-year initiative begins at the diocesan level and will start in the Rockford Diocese along with all others in the U.S. on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19. For the next three years, The Observer and El Observador newspapers and social media sites will carry background, news and events about the national effort. Our coverage of this call to understand and renew our faith through this initiative begins in this issue.
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Date: May 31, 2022
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Date: May 25, 2022
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Bishop David Malloy sent a letter Nov. 23, 2021, to Father Jared Twenty, parochial administrator of Holy Cross Parish in Batavia, updating him and the parishioners there regarding the former pastor, Father James Parker.
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The Diocese of Rockford issued a new document of guiding principles on human sexuality titled “Living the Truth of Our Creation.” This document was released in English and Spanish to all priests and parishes Aug. 6.
