For the third time in its 207 years of existence, Colombia received a visit from a pope. In 1968, Colombia was the first Latin-American country to be visted by a pope when Pope Paul VI arrived. Then in 1986 the country welcomed St. John Paul II, and from Sept. 6 to 10, Catholics in Colombia welcomed Pope Francis.
In the days before and after the Pope’s visit, he was the main topic of conversations. TV channels were covering the visit almost 24 hours a day, following him in every step and every detail, and in the radio and written media, pieces were dedicated to the pontiff’s visit.
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This year marks the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Mary at Fatima to the three young children, Lucia de Jesus Santos and Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
The 100th anniversary falls on Friday, October 13th, the date of Mary’s final appearance and of the famous Miracle of the Sun witnessed by tens of thousands.
Bishop Malloy will offer a Mass to commemorate those events on Thursday, October 12th, at 7 p.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Rockford. In the course of that Mass Bishop Malloy will renew the consecration of the Diocese of Rockford to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Click Here to Read Bishop Malloy's Letter on the Anniversary Mass in English
Click Here to Read Bishop Malloy's Letter on the Anniversary Mass in Spanish
On Aug. 11, the feast of St. Clare, Bishop David Malloy and many others joined with the Poor Clare Colettines in Rockford for Mass, which was followed by blessing and distribution of St. Clare’s bread. The nuns spent time with visitors, including the bishop, after the Mass.
More in the Aug. 18 issue of The Observer.
New principals and superintendents at grade and high schools of the Rockford Diocese gathered with the diocesan Education Office on August 8. These leaders are introduced in The Observer’s annual Back to School special section in the August 11 issue. Also featured are programs at Marian Central and St. Edward high schools and Annunciation BVM school and a list of upcoming activities.
The annual Festa Italiana brought dozens to an outdoor morning Mass with Bishop David Malloy on Sunday, August 6 on the grounds of Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford. The bishop spoke of the importance of culture and encouraged participants to be sure to pass on the Catholic faith as they share the Italian culture with their children.
More in the Aug. 11 Observer.
The final vocation camp, First Call for grade 10 through college, took place July 23-26. Regular summer camp activities were interspersed through times of prayer and reflection, talks and small group sharing.
See more in the July 28 edition of The Observer.
The annual St. Therese Vocation Camp at Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford welcomed 53 campers from the Rockford and Joliet dioceses for four days of prayer, talks, fellowship and fun. The camp welcomed new and returning campers from grade 7 through college. On a sunshine-filled July 17, water balloon games and a water relay were enjoyed after Mass and before daytime prayer and lunch. Six religious orders of sisters participated, and the camp was also staffed by lay chaperones and two seminarians, as well as Father Keith Romke and Dorothea Barger from the diocesan Vocations Office.
See more photos in the July 21 issue of The Observer.
