Deacon Jim Davis brought St. Nicholas to students at St. Mary School in Woodstock on Dec. 5, the day before the feast of St. Nicholas. He explained to them about this long-ago bishop of Myra in Egypt whose goodness and gift-giving inspired many parts of the modern day story of Santa Claus. See more in the Dec. 14 issue of The Observer.
ROCKFORD—Bishop David Malloy and Cathedral of St. Peter Rector Father Stephen St. Jules changes and improvements to the Cathedral of St. Peter campus during an informational meeting Nov. 19.
About 35 people gathered in the fellowship hall to find out about the next chapter in parish and diocesan history.
Father St. Jules addressed the group first, explaining that the former convent situated next to the Cathedral of St. Peter School will be razed during the school’s Christmas break.
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The Diocese of Rockford today, Nov. 14, published a list of those priests, permanent deacons and religious priests and brothers against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse has been reported.
That list, along with a letter from Bishop of Rockford, David J. Malloy, is published here in its entirety.
Letter to the Faithful from Bishop Malloy
Spanish Letter to the Faithful from Bishop Malloy
ImaBridge Africa’s 10th year anniversary was celebrated at a gala on Nov. 3 at Church of Holy Apostles. The non-profit organization serves people in Nigeria in four areas: education, microfinancing, health and clean water. The annual gala raises funds and introduces potential donors to the ministry.
Read more in the Nov. 9 issue of The Observer.
Bishop David Malloy celebrated Mass at noon on All Souls Day, Nov. 2, in the mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery west of Rockford. In his homily, the bishop pondered the gift of purgatory as a consolation and source of hope that good souls who are not yet perfect will be perfected there and later come to be with God forever.
Oct. 31, 2018--Bishop David Malloy has announced that he will join his brother bishops in dedicating himself to seven days of “intensified prayer and sacrifice” for three specific intentions established by the
USCCB:
- The healing and support of all victims of clergy sexual abuse.
- The conversion and just punishment of the perpetrators and concealers of sexual abuse.
- The strength of the bishops to be holy shepherds in protecting and leading their sheep from all harm.
On October 19, the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill Assembly #2381, held its annual Clergy Appreciation Dinner at St. Mary Parish Hall in Huntley. Priests, deacons and religious sisters who serve at area parishes or who are retired were honored. As the evening wound down, the priests who were present at the event joined together to give attendees a blessing.
See more in an upcoming issue of The Observer.
On Oct. 11, Bishop David Malloy celebrated an all-school Mass for the newly-opened Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy in Aurora then toured the campus, located at St. Joseph Parish. Kindergarten students admired the bishop’s pectoral cross. At their request, he handed them his zucchetto for them to examine.
More in the Oct. 26 edition of The Observer.
On Oct. 12, four women of the Peacework Refugee Project were presented with cash earned by the sale of one or more of their creations at the Cider ‘n’ Cinnamon arts and crafts sale at Edgebrook Shopping Center in Rockford. The Peacework group consists of refugees who are tutored by volunteers in the art of sewing. The four women were among 11 refugees who sold items they created and earned a total of $455 at the weekend event.
OCT. 18, 2018-- Lawyers for a group of people alleging they were sexually abused by priests announced, during a press conference today in Chicago, they are filing a lawsuit against every Catholic diocese and bishop in Illinois, the Illinois Catholic Conference, and the La Salette Missionaries. The lawsuit alleges those named in the lawsuit took part in a conspiracy to conceal a public nuisance by failing to disclose the names and files of clergy members accused of sexually abusing minors. The law firms of Kerns, Frost & Pearlman in Chicago and Jeff Anderson & Associates of Minnesota are representing the plaintiffs. The Diocese of Rockford issued a statement following the press conference.
The Diocese of Rockford issued a statement following the press conference:
Statement from the Diocese of Rockford Regarding Lawsuit Filed By Jeff Anderson
As in several towns and cities across the Rockford Diocese and the nation, many gathered in Rockford to prayerfully and silently stand up for life on October 7. Following the annual Life Chain, several gathered at Holy Family Church to pray a rosary of the Glorious Mysteries for the wellbeing of the nation.
More in the Oct. 12 edition of The Observer.
