STERLING—Msgr. Thomas E. Bales died April 21, in the home of his sister where he resided.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church, Rockford. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 25 from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the church with prayer service at 7:30 p.m. and visitation Thursday, April 26 from 9-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the Mass. Private interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon, Illinois at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Rockford, Illinois.
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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.
Bishop David Malloy blessed the new North Tower at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford on April 13. The addition brings 78 private inpatient rooms to the medical center along with several outpatient services, including “rejuvenation services” in the women’s health area.
More photos and story coming soon in the April 20 issue of The Observer.
Father Balog’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 10 at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 9 at the church with the rosary prayed at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, April 10 from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the Cathedral before the Mass. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Aurora.
Father Robert A. Balog died in the Pine View Care Center in St. Charles, April 5. He was 74.
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"I join with my brother bishops across the United States as they commemorate the 50th sad anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King with their recent statement. In that statement the bishops wrote that “We can best honor Dr. Martin Luther King and preserve his legacy by boldly asking God –today and always—to deepen our own commitment to follow His will wherever it leads in the cause of promoting justice.” Let us pray that the life of Dr. King continues to inspire us and future generations in seeking His Will for all God’s people."
For more from Bishop Malloy see page 2 of the April 6 Observer Catholic newspaper.
USCCB Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Mystery of the Passion of Christ was presented at St. Catherine of Genoa Parish the weekend of Palm Sunday and on Good Friday. More on this mostly-parishioner production coming soon to an upcoming issue of The Observer.
Students from the Cathedral of St. Peter School had their feet washed by Bishop David Malloy at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The bishop encouraged all gathered to resist at every Mass the temptation “to be unaware, maybe even distracted or unappreciative of the miracle (that takes) place right here in front of us.”
More in the April 6 issue of The Observer.
Bishop David Malloy breathes on the Sacred Chrism oil as part of the prayer of consecration of the oil following the blessing of the oils of the sick and of catechumens. Representatives from parishes and other Catholic entities of the Diocese of Rockford came forth after communion to receive oils for their respective locations. The Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday also had the priests of the diocese renew their commitment to priestly service.
As we begin the Easter Triduum our faith calls us to focus on those moments that lead to the cross and the promise it ultimately gave the world. On Holy Thursday as feet are washed, we are reminded of the service of Christ. On Good Friday as our voices mouth the words “crucify Him,” our hearts are joined in the pain that is to come. We become united with Mary in her anguish and in her love. Let us pray fervently this week, that all these remembrances of the Triduum help our faith come full circle to the new proclamation that He is Risen! Sin is conquered and forgiven! Death itself is dead! Christ’s love conquers all! A blessed Easter to you and your family.
(Observer file photo)
A St. Joseph Altar was held for the first time at the weekend Masses at the new St. Gall Church on Hughes Rd. in Elburn. St. Gall pastor, Father Christopher DiTomo is shown blessing the altar.
Watch future issues of The Observer for more on this event.
St. Bridget Parish held its first-ever St. Joseph Altar the weekend of March 17-18. The tradition honors the saint on or near his March 19 feast day. Altars are created at a handful of parishes each year.
More about St. Bridget’s first altar in the March 23 issue of The Observer.
SANDWICH--Father Donald D. DeSalvo died here Feb. 28 at the age of 80.
Father was born March 21, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dominic and Virginia (Wawrzyniak) DeSalvo.
Father DeSalvo attended high school at Blue Island High School in Oak Lawn, Thornton Junior College, Harvey, and Chicago Medical Technology School, Chicago, where he completed studies to become a medical technician. He worked in two hospitals and, when inducted into the army, was a medic at Irwin Army Hospital in Fort Riley, Kan. He then attended the Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., where he completed studies for the priesthood. He was ordained May 10, 1969 by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill at St. Joseph Parish in Aurora.
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Diocese of Rockford joins USCCB In National Call-in Day For Dreamers on February 26
The Diocese of Rockford joins with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ President, Vice President, and Migration Chair in encouraging Catholics to join in a National Call-in Day for Dreamers for February 26.
Below is the press release issued by the USCCB regarding this event. All Catholics are encouraged to participate in this call to action and invite their friends and family to do the same.
Press Release
