

Catholic Cemetery Masses to remember those who served and sacrificed. Everyone is welcome to come and pray at a Memorial Day Mass near you.



The Diocese of Rockford May 26, announced the latest round of clergy appointments by publishing the list in The Observer and El Observador, official Catholic newspapers for the Rockford Diocese.
See the complete list

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul held a press conference in downtown Chicago May 23 to release the final report on his investigation into clergy sexual abuse conducted over the past four and one half years.
The 696-page "Report on Catholic Clergy Child Sex Abuse in Illinois," focuses on decades of old and new abuse cases in the state's six dioceses: Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield and the Archdiocese of Chicago.
In response to the report the Diocese of Rockford has issued a statement about the report and recognizes the impact of abuse on survivors. “First and foremost, the Diocese of Rockford apologizes for the pain endured by victim survivors of childhood sexual abuse. No child should ever be harmed, and no adult should have to endure the memories of that harm. Our priority today remains the safety of all children and vulnerable individuals, and the repair of the past.”
Click Here to read the full statement
En Español
To read and review the policies and procedures in place in the Rockford Diocese in regard to the reporting of abuse, training for recognizing and preventing sexual abuse please visit our Safe Environments web pages.
Diocese Safe Environment Page
To read the Attorney General's report:
Click here

The six Catholic dioceses of Illinois, which includes Belleville, Chicago, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford and Springfield, today issued a statement of a Summary of Processes in all six dioceses for Handling Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors Against Clerics.
This joint statement is being issued in anticipation of a final report being prepared by the Illinois Attorney General in regard to its inquiry into this matter begun in 2018. A preliminary report of its inquiry was issued in December of 2018.
Click Here to read the report in English
Click Here to read the report in Spanish
Click Here to read the report in Polish


Monsignor James W. McLoughlin died on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Huntley, where he was a resident.
Monsignor was born on November 19, 1939, in Chicago, IL., to James J. McLoughlin and Loretta J. McCarthy. Monsignor attended Quigley High School Seminary, Chicago (1953-1957). Monsignor McLoughlin attended Loras College, Dubuque, IA (1957-61) where he received a bachelor’s degree in history. He then attended Seminary at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC (1961-65) where he received his Theological Formation. He also received a master’s degree in religious education at the Catholic University of America.
Click here to read more...




John L. Kellen, 89 of Sterling, died Friday, April 7, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling.
John was born on May 26, 1933 in Welcome, MN, the son of Herbert and Elsie (Bruhn) Kellen. He was a United States Army Veteran, serving from 1953-1955. He married Sally Odean on January 17, 1959 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, IA. John was a tool and die maker for General Electric, retiring in 1991 after 35 years. He was deeply rooted in his faith and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling where he served as a parish Deacon for 24 years. John was ordained on May 14, 1994 and retired in 2018.
Click here for the full obituary

