Seventeen men were ordained as permanent deacons by Bishop David Malloy on Sept. 24 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. "In a manner unique to this calling," Bishop Malloy said, "you will have the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, not only given to you but residing in you." The bishop challenged them to be a "bearer of God's presence among His people and into the world."
More on the ordination and these 17 new deacons coming in the Oct. 7 issue of The Observer.
The annual Women of Inspiration banquet was held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish on Sept. 18 to honor parish women in the McHenry Deanery. Fourteen women were introduced by their pastor or parochial vicar and honored by their families and friends.
More information and photographs coming in the Sept. 23 edition of The Observer.
As we are all aware, our society is increasingly divided and polarized. This past summer, social tensions led to incidents of violence that resulted in the targeting of law enforcement officials. The racial divisions in our society also came under increased scrutiny.
In response to these incidents that have exacerbated our societal divisions, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has on behalf of the Bishops of the United States called for a National Day of Prayer for Peace in our Communities.
Archbishop Kurtz asked that we join in that prayer intention on Friday, September 9. However, in view of the funeral of our beloved Bishop Thomas Doran scheduled for that day, I ask that we join in that National Day of Prayer over the weekend of September 17-18.
Prayer Card (English) | Prayer Card (Spanish)
Letter to Priests (English) | Letter to Priests (Spanish)
Bishop Emeritus Thomas G. Doran Has Died at Age 80
ROCKFORD, IL - The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford died peacefully Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 at his residence in Presence Cor Mariae here. Bishop Doran was 80 years of age.
Bishop Doran was appointed the eighth Bishop of the Rockford Diocese on April 19, 1994 and served until he retired on March 20, 2012. He was the second native born priest of the Rockford Diocese to serve as its bishop.
Funeral arrangements are being completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Rockford. Services for Bishop Doran will be held at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford. Public viewing of the body of Bishop Doran will be Thursday, September 8 beginning with evening prayer at 4 p.m. with viewing to continue until 8 p.m. Public viewing will also be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9. Bishop Doran's funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David J. Malloy and priests of the Rockford Diocese on Friday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. It will be live streamed here on our website.
Click here to read the full press release (Español)
Click here to read Bishop Malloy's homily from Bishop Doran's funeral
Click here to watch the video from Bishop Doran's funeral
It was a beautiful day for the annual Polish Fest at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Rockford on Aug. 21. The event began with 10 a.m. Mass and continued throughout the day with great food, games for young and old, music, dancing, raffles and plenty of visiting. Parishioners handmade some 12,000 pierogis this year – and lines were long for that treat. Also featured were made on-the-spot potato pancakes (pictured), Polish sausages and beer, and a full Polish dinner that was served in the parish community center.
Date: August 15, 2016
The Chancery received word Monday, August 15, 2016, that Reverend Monsignor William J. Clausen, STL, died this morning at Presence Cor Mariae Center, Rockford, where he was a resident. Monsignor was born on June 25, 1936, in Freeport, Illinois, to John Thomas and Cecilia Margaret Pettit Clausen.
Monsignor Clausen was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1962 by Most Reverend Loras Lane. He attended St. Thomas Catholic High School, Rockford (1950-52), and Sacred Heart, Geneva, Illinois (1953-55). He then attended college at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wisconsin (1954-55) and St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois (1955-58), and seminary at St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein (1958-62). Monsignor was first assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Harvard, Illinois (1962-64); St. Mary Parish, Pecatonica,Illinois (1964-65); St. Joseph Parish, Elgin, Illinois (1965-69); St. Anne Parish, Dixon, Illinois(1969-71), St. Patrick Parish, Rochelle, Illinois (1971-1974).
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The National Council of Catholic Women, in the wake of the recent violence across the United States, joins the Knights of Columbus in their call to families and all people of good will to pray a novena -- nine days of prayer – from July 14-22 by praying St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer for Peace. Click on the image on the right to view the prayer.
El Concejo Nacional de Mujeres Católicas, a raíz de la violencia reciente en los Estados Unidos, se ha unido a los Caballeros de Colón en su llamado a las familias y a todas las personas de buena voluntad a hacer una novena, rezando la Oración por la Paz de San Francisco de Asís; del 14 al 22 de julio. Haga clic en la imagen de la derecha para ver la oración.
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