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Home Bishop Malloy Archives Columnists Features News / Events About Us Advertise Contact Us Catholic Forum Top of the Morning Young Observer Junior Observer Destinations Blog Special Features Book Club What's Up+plus Calendar of Events National/World News Digital Observer Meet The Staff Diocesan Web Site Subscribe to 2020 Subscription Clipart Heart to Heart Logo Subscribe to the Observer Submit Death Announcements Submit Events and News Submit Wedding Announcements Change Your Subscription Address -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- SJN Mass Sendoff for March for Life By Amanda Hudson, News Editor and Margarita Mendoza El Observador Editor January 30, 2020 ST. CHARLES—Father Jeremy Trowbridge celebrated the Jan. 22 send-off Mass at St. John Neumann Church here for pilgrims to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Two full busses from the Diocese of Rockford traveled to the Jan. 24 event. ... Read More March is a Polite, Orderly Gathering January 30, 2020 WASHINGTON (CNS)—What you don’t comprehend about the marching portion of the March for Life until you’re in it is — even though it appears somewhat unorganized at the start — it’s an intensely polite and orderly experience despite its immense size. ... Read More Deacon Statter of Crystal Lake Dies, Funeral to be Feb. 1 January 30, 2020 CRYSTAL LAKE—Deacon Ralph W. Statter, 94, died Jan. 25, 2020. Deacon Statter graduated from St. John’s Military Academy, Delafield, Wis. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps, 6th Marine Division/4th Regiment in G... Read More Vietnamese Catholics Celebrate Christmas at DeKalb Parish January 30, 2020 St. Mary Parish in DeKalb hosts the Vietnamese Catholic Ministry Community Christmas celebration. Father Anthony VuKhac Long incensed a statue of the baby Jesus that was carried into the church in a procession. Women i... Read More Hampshire Students Remember Troops January 30, 2020 The students at St. Charles Borromeo School in Hampshire engage in service-learning throughout the school year. Before Christmas, students made candy cane reindeer for soldiers who are recovering at Walter Reed hospital in Washington D.C. &... Read More CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2020 dedicates 13 pages to honor Catholic Schools Week in the January 24 edition January 23, 2020 What is National Catholic Schools Week? Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in Jan... Read More Ecumenical Breakfast Promotes Life, Family By Amanda Hudson, News Editor January 23, 2020 ROCKFORD—A Catholic family and a Boylan student were honored at the annual January Life Breakfast on Jan. 15 sponsored by the International Organization for the Family (IOF). The White Rose Award was presented by Dr. Allan Carlson of IOF to Alexandr... Read More Encuentro Group Reviews Results By Margarita Mendoza, El Observador Editor January 23, 2020 The V Encuentro regional group that includes the Rockford Diocese reviews the final document, considers how to make use of suggestions Read More Diocesan Catholics Join March for Life in Chicago January 16, 2020 Parishioners from St. Patrick Parish in St. Charles and St. James Parish in Belvidere join the 2020 March for Life rally at Daley Plaza in Chicago on Jan. 11. The march theme was “Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.” Read More Rockford Deacon Fredrick Skrade, 92, Dies Jan. 8 January 16, 2020 ROCKFORD—Deacon Fredrick “Fred” Roger Skrade, 92, of Rockford, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. He was born March 8, 1927, in Eastman, Wis., the son of Edwin and Edith (Bonney) Skrade. He attended Seneca High School in Seneca, Wis., a... Read More St. Charles Knights of Columbus Make ‘Pies by the Guys’ January 16, 2020 ST. CHARLES—Knights of Columbus Council 12497 of St. Charles held its 2019 annual Thanksgiving “Pies by the Guys” event Nov. 1 and 2. This year two Rockford Diocese councils, Sugar Grove Council 16660, Aurora Council 14795 and the ... Read More Diocean Theological Institute Beginning Spring Classes January 16, 2020 ROCKFORD—The Diocesan Theological Institute will begin offering spring classes in ongoing faith formation for adults Jan. 18. Classes, instructors and times are: ♦ “Theology of the Body and Ge... Read More Freeport Parish Initiates Award January 16, 2020 FREEPORT—St. Mary Parish here has begun presenteing the Yolanda Garcia Nava Award. It will be given each year in memory of her dedication both to her faith and to the parish and its Hispanic community. Garcia Nava was always willing to help an... Read More The Garb of the Shepherd January 16, 2020 When a priest becomes a bishop, he wears particular vestments and insignia to designate his office. Different vestments and insignia are required depending on the liturgy, ceremony, or event being celebrated. Bishop David Malloy of the Dioces... Read More Elgin’s St. Edward Catholic Preparatory Academy To be Formed, Open in Fall 2020 St. Joseph campus to host new academy By Penny Wiegert, Editor January 9, 2020 ELGIN—The Diocese of Rockford announced to parents, faculty and parishioners at St. Joseph Parish here, that it would be the site of the new vision for Catholic education in the Elgin area. St. Joseph School will be home of the new St. Edward ... Read More Father Gomez Dies Dec. 26 After Short Illness January 9, 2020 NAPERVILLE—Father Manuel “Manny” Gerardo Gómez Reza died at Edward Hospital in Naperville on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. Father Gomez was born on Dec. 2, 1983, in Súchil, Durango, Mexico, to Manuel Gómez Fernánde... Read More Observer Staff Mourns Former News Editor, Sales Manager By Penny Wiegert, Editor January 9, 2020 Rita Pesavento Prunuske Former news editor of Rita Pesavento Prunuske, 89, of Rockford died Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford aft... Read More First Combined Collection Helps Fill U.S. Needs By Amanda Hudson, News Editor January 9, 2020 DIOCESE—The first of the three 2020 combined collections — the National Appeal — will be held at diocesan parishes the weekend of Jan. 18-19. The National Appeal collects donations to benefit the: n&t... Read More Bishop Celebrates Simbang Gabi Mass Dec. 19 in W. Dundee By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent January 9, 2020 WEST DUNDEE—The Fox Valley Filipino-American Catholic Ministry celebrated Simbang Gabi, the traditional Advent novena and nine evening Masses, in the Rockford Diocese, Dec. 15-23 at parishes in the Elgin, DeKalb, and McHenry Deaneries. Over 40... Read More Comfort, Redemption, Hope at Christmas in Jail By Amanda Hudson, News Editor January 9, 2020 ROCKFORD—“We’re all here for basically the same reason ... I hope you gather a bit of spiritual strength from this (and that) you give some encouragement and some spiritual strength” to others, Bishop David Malloy said at his Christmas morning Masses at the Winnebago ... Read More Catholic Parishes, Priests Honored with Selah Awards January 9, 2020 ROCKFORD—Parishes and priests of the Rockford Diocese were among those honored at the 2019 Biennial Selah Awards presented during a black tie ceremony at Giovanni’s Restaurant here on Dec. 20. The Selah Awards were created by the Students Seek... Read More Bishop Malloy Visits Pope in Rome December 19, 2019 During his ad limina visit, Dec. 8-15, with Pope Francis in the Vatican, Bishop David Malloy spoke with the pope. He also attended the pope’s Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Malloy and Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison made a stop... Read More Bishop O’Neill Scholars Honored Dec. 12 December 19, 2019 ROCKFORD—Students from all seven deaneries of the Diocese of Rockford were chosen to receive scholarships to be used for Catholic school tuition. Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill established the scholarships after he retired, and he attended the distribution party each year almost until ... Read More Waterleaf Women’s Center Dedicated in Aurora By Amanda Hudson, News Editor December 19, 2019...