The 41st Festa Italiana was held Aug. 2-4 on the grounds of Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford. The event featured rides, games, food, Italian culture and a variety of entertainment. Bishop David Malloy celebrated Mass that Sunday morning at the site.
More on Festa Italiana coming soon in the Aug. 9 Observer.
COPPELL, Texas—Father Thomas Burr died July 29, 2019, at his residence in St. Joseph Village in Coppell, Texas. He was 83.
Father Burr was born Nov. 25, 1935, in Geneva to Ralph and Clara (Keller) Burr.
Originally from St. Patrick Parish in St. Charles, Father Burr graduated from Marmion Military Academy in Aurora in 1953. From there he went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he studied law for two years after completing his undergraduate studies there.
Click here to read more...
The Encounter Retreat that replaced the former Jeremiah Days for young men in seventh through ninth grades welcomed 22 retreatants from July 7-9. It blended physical activity (including a day trip to Starved Rock State Park) with vocation talks and prayers, indoor and outdoor activities.
See more in the July 19 issue of The Observer.
A special noon Mass on Sunday, June 29 was the last official event where Knights of Columbus, Marquette Assembly 188, wore the chapeaus and capes that have been a KC tradition for the last 60 years. Father Christopher DiTomo, a Knight and pastor of St. Gall Parish in Elburn, celebrated a special Mass that day for around 30 fourth-degree Knights and family members. The international Knights organization retired the familiar Color Corps regalia as of June 30.
See more in an upcoming issue of The Observer
Today is a dark day in the history of the State of Illinois.
With today’s vote by the Illinois Senate to approve the horribly misnamed Reproductive Health Act, that body has declared that abortion in Illinois is a fundamental right. This legislation strips the unborn of any protection or rights under the law, and demonstrates a grievous disregard for the care and human solidarity we owe to the most vulnerable among us.
Click here to read the entire statement
