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To honor so great a saint and to honor the patrimony of the Irish people to whom he preached the gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ Bishop David Malloy has issued a dispensation from the dietary restrictions of Lent for the feast of St. Patrick, March 17, 2023. In his formal dispensation Bishop Malloy asks those utilizing the dispensation to perform some other act of penance or charity on that day in honor and respect to the Paschal Mystery of our Lord and Savior.
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DIOCESE OF ROCKFORD—Church attendance is a concern for almost every faith denomination. And the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem of getting people to church and now back to church.
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Bishop David Malloy, in his capacity as U.S. Bishops’ International Justice and Peace Chairman, issued a press release Feb. 8 Calling for people of faith throughout the country to offer prayer and assistance in the wake of the powerful Earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Donations can be made directly to crs.org or cnewa.org.
Read the entire press release here
https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-international-justice-and-peace-chairman-calls-prayer-wake-earthquake-turkey
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(OSV News photo/Umit Bektas, Reuters)
Deacon Paul Iwanski
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Deacon Paul Iwanski and his family. The chancery received the news today that Deacon Paul , who served St,. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles, died of a sudden heart attack this morning, Feb. 9. Funeral arrangements will be posted as available.
Sister Patricia Downey, OP
1939-2023
Sister Patricia Downey, formerly known as Sister Jean Edmund, died on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 84 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Patricia Downey, OP Obituary
Deacon Bruce Watermann
1950-2023
Deacon Bruce M. Watermann, 72 of Aurora, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at his home. He was born March 20, 1950 in Elgin, IL.
Bruce Waterman Obituary
Deacon Steve Pulkrabek
Deacon Steve Pulkrabek, 74, of Roscoe, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023 after a car accident in Boone County.
https://mccorklefuneralhome.com/obituaries/steven-pulkrabek
In a post-Roe world, remembering the anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision of Roe v. Wade is still important especially here in Illinois. Bishop David Malloy devotes his Jan. 20 column in The Observer Catholic newspaper to reminding Catholics that the commitment to life must remain unchanged and unwavering.
Read Bishop Malloy’s column
ROCKFORD, IL – For generations the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have served as an organization that fostered values that were highly compatible with those of our Catholic faith and tradition. The Scouts taught young men and women to be: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. And often, these values were taught within a Catholic framework in a pack or troop chartered (sponsored/owned) by our Catholic parishes and schools.
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With the announcement today of the death of Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, I ask that we join in prayer both in gratitude for his service as the Successor of St. Peter and for his eternal rest and union with God.
Joseph Ratzinger, as a priest, bishop and cardinal, gave his life to the Church. His personal holiness, combined with his extraordinary brilliance and insightful writings helped to deepen the Church’s understanding of the Scriptures, the liturgy and God’s revelation of His love and justice for all humanity. Pope-emeritus Benedict was a keen analyst of the Church in the context of the modern world.
As Pope, he took as his motto, “Cooperatores Veritatis" (Cooperators of the Truth)”. In humility and with courage Pope-emeritus Benedict proclaimed by his teaching and his life the reality of God who is the basis of the truth that guides the human race. The Pope-emeritus took particular interest in clarifying the authentic meaning and implementation of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in whose work he took part. Even in his years of retirement, Pope-emeritus Benedict witnessed to the goodness of faith.
Personally, I am deeply grateful to the Pope-emeritus. He appointed me to serve as the 9th Bishop of Rockford. I had various opportunities to meet with him over the years. To be in his presence was to be with one whose graciousness and humility gave witness to his deep faith.
May God reward Pope-emeritus Benedict, and may he intercede for us and for the whole Church that he served so well.
A special public Mass will be celebrated for the late Pope Emeritus at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St. , Rockford, on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
The Diocesan Administration Center will be closed from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2, 2023. Offices will open for the new year at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 3, 2023. A blessed and safe new year to you and your loved ones.
ROCKFORD--Reverend Salvatore J. Guagliardo died on Friday, October 21, 2022 at St. Anne Place in Rockford, where he was a resident.
Father was born on May 4, 1929 in Rockford, IL, to Margaret and Vincent Guagliardo. Father Guagliardo attended the University of Illinois, Normal, IL (1951-52). He then attended St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA (1952-55). Father then attended St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, MD (1955-59). Father went on to further his studies at Loyola University, Chicago, IL (1964) where he received a Master’s Degree in Education.
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ROCKFORD, ILL—Most Reverend David J. Malloy will ordain 17 men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Rockford, Saturday, Sept. 24.
The Mass and Rite of Ordination will begin at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter 1243 N. Church St.
A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." A permanent deacon serves the diocesan church and is assigned to serve in ministry at specific parishes as needed by the diocesan bishop.
The 2022 class of Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Rockford includes:
Noel Fajardo Benitez, Rockford; Robert Wayne Buerer, Cary; Gabriel Palacios Castellano, Rockford; David Charles Dollman, Harvard; Mel Gutierrez Gaytan, Woodstock; Shawn Milton Glanville, St. Charles; Steve Ronald Jolly, St. Charles; Ken Stephen McLaughlin, Montgomery; Kevin Michael Nestor, Sterling; Enrique del Carmen Nolasco, Carpentersville; Chris Bradley Olson, Hampshire; Chris Michael Ragsdale, Aurora; Paul Anthony Sanderson, Rockford; Michael James Schneck, Spring Grove; Dean Edward Schroeder, Sugar Grove; Rafael Villagomez, Jr., South Elgin; and Michael Bernt Winger, Sugar Grove.
The ceremony is open to the public with limited seating. It will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Rockford YouTube Channel and Facebook page.
ROCKFORD—Clean-up, construction and renovation crews are now a daily scene around St. James Church in Rockford. Damage assessments along with clean-up and salvage of interior fixtures continue as the parish recovers from a fire Aug. 8 said to have been caused by an early morning lightning strike. The stained-glass windows are being examined and cleaned and will soon be boarded up to prevent damage during ongoing construction. Total damage estimates to the 155-year-old building are still being determined.
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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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.
