Doing Time for Jesus Permission of Bishop David Mal- Loy
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ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 80 | No. 33 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2015 O cial Appointments The Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Kurz, JCL — Judicial Vicar for the Tribunal, to retire with the Doing Time for Jesus permission of Bishop David Mal- loy. effective Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015. The Rev. Darwin A. Flores — to be Parochial Vicar for Sacred Kairos Volunteers Bring Faith to Prisoners Heart Parish, Aurora, Illinois, ef- fective Sunday, July 12, 2015. BY PAT SZPEKOWSKI The Rev. Joseph F. Jaski- Observer Correspondent erny — to continuing studies at Catholic University of America, ALGONQUIN—Bringing Washington, DC, effective Sat- the light of Christ to the dark- urday, Aug. 1, 2015. ness of prison to guide lost Given at the Chancery, Aug. 3, 2015 souls to the doors of heaven is the enlightening message of Kairos Prison Ministry Inter- Inside national. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Q&A ‘New’ Offi ce Kairos was prompted by the Has Familiar Goals Scriptures and in particular pg. 3 Matthew 25:36: “I was in pris- on and you visited me.” Nine local volunteer Kairos team members representing several Christian denomina- tions spoke of their personal experiences at a recent segment of the Faith on Fire series at St. (Observer photo by Dan Szpekowski) Kairos Prison Ministry volunteers shared their experiences of ministering to the incarcerated in Illinois pris- Margaret Mary Parish in Al- ons during a recent “Faith on Fire” series at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Algonquin. They agreed that their gonquin July 23. participation has increased their own spiritual life. Kairos team members are (from left, front) Mike Calendo, Kairos team leader John Jim Brennan, Norm Reuter, Tom Blake, Steve Henquinet, (back) Steve Woita, Joe Raducka, John Ho man Catholic Offi cials, Morici of SS. Peter and Paul and John Morici. Rockford Diocese Parish in Cary led the eve- React to BSA Decision ning by introducing his fellow Those in Prison Ministry Follow Examples of Pope, Bishop To Allow Openly team members, explaining the intense day to day activities Gay Leaders WASHINGTON (CNS)—When Pope Francis of a Kairos prison retreat, and makes a stop at the Curran-Fromhold Correc- pg. 6 showing two short, but power- tional Facility in Philadelphia in September as ful Kairos videos. part of his U.S. visit, it may seem like part of the The presentation began as pope’s usual routine. each team member shared how His visits to prisons as part of his pastoral jour- and why he got involved. As neys to other countries has become part and each layer of reasons unfolded, parcel of the pope’s style, just as it had been for it was apparent that the group St. John Paul II to visit pockets of the Polish dias- sustains a strong bond and com- pora during his well-traveled pontifi cate. mitment to the prison ministry. Rockford’s Bishop David Malloy has also Each dedicates countless hours made saying Mass for area prisoners part of his of his free time to minister to pastoral ministry. He says Mass at Christmas the incarcerated in local prisons. and Easter in the Winnebago County Jail and As was Morici, many of the duirng Lent at the Dixon Correctional Center. He (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Northwest Indiana Catholic) Kairos members were asked has also offered Mass at the Illinois Youth Cen- A deacon distributes Communion to a death-row by someone else involved “to ter in St. Charles. inmate in 2007 at Indiana State Prison in Michigan come along” said Steve Woita, Although visiting the prisoner was mentioned City, Indiana. Pope Francis will visit the Curran- a pastor at Beautiful Savior Lu- in one of Jesus’ parables, only a very hardy few Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia in Service and Prayer September as part of his U.S. visit. Seasoned Observer, pgs. 9-12 theran Church in Antioch. — ordained and laity alike — do so. “I’ve heard stories about the What they see week in and week out — and the diocesan coordinator. To learn more, email intensity of Kairos, but God what Pope Francis may see during his jail visit him at [email protected]. Coming Soon doesn’t take no for an answer. — is, in many respects, a beaten-down popu- Rockford Reachout Jail Ministry is an ecu- It is an opportunity to show lation hopeful for a better future should they be menical effort to work with jail inmates, with for- God’s love.” released, but often without the tools to secure Time to Go mer prisoners and their families outside jail, and Since that time, Woita has that better future. with at-risk youths in the Rockford area. Area Back to School made four trips to Stateville There are active prison and jail ministries in Catholics join in this effort. For information about Look for the special section Correctional Center in Crest the Rockford Diocese. Father Howard Barch is Rockford Reachout, call 815/319-6625. Aug. 14. Hill, north of Joliet, as part of the Kairos four-day retreat. when you look into the eyes Joe Raducka, a member of going into the prison environ- Mike Calendo was asked to of prisoners and tell them that the Knights of Columbus and ment gave him the chills. But This Issue get involved by a fellow run- there is a God that loves him.” parishioner at St. Theresa Par- Norm Reuter said he felt that, ning friend. Calen- ish in “God said, you work for Me Bishop Malloy ............................. 2 “I had thought about it, as do and “The Holy Spirit shows up Palatine now.” He’s been involved in 12 Headliners ..................................... 3 I had worked with troubled o t h e r s in the Kairos retreats at Stateville. Diocesan ............................. 4-6, 20 youth with Father John Smyth have ex- and miracles happen ... .” Chicago at Maryville,” he said. p a n d e d Archdio- Four days for God Nation/World .......................... 7-8 — Mike Calendo, Kairos volunteer Morici’s overview of Kairos Seasoned Observer ............. 9-12 “My fi rst weekend at Kairos their min- cese, said changed my life. It’s powerful istry to “when I prison retreats, which begin Around the Diocese ......... 13-14 and amazing to see what hap- other Illinois maximum secu- heard about Kairos a light went on Thursday evening and end Media/Arts ................................ 15 pens to prisoners during the rity centers, such as Western off. We’re all Christian broth- early Sunday afternoon, in- Faith Forum ............................... 16 Kairos retreat. Correctional Center in Sterling ers working together with the cluded highlights of each day’s Viewpoints ................................ 17 “The Holy Spirit shows up,” and Pontiac Correctional Cen- help of the Holy Spirit.” schedule. For the Record ................... 18-19 he adds, “and miracles happen ter in Pontiac. More than one presenter said Continued on page 4 2 FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2015 | The Observer The World Needs Our The Observer (ISSN 0029- 7739), is published weekly, Light More Than Ever except fi ve times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, BY BISHOP DAVID J. MALLOY 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. ou are the light been most known as the voice of the Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 of the world.” world’s conscience and that of American Project Rachel is a confi dential Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax Jesus said that to the society. program operating in the Rockford 815/399-6225. followers of His day and We have indeed served as the light Diocese to help those suffering Periodical postage paid at “Yto us. And He went on to say that we are to remind everyone of the dignity of after abortion. Information Rockford, Ill., and additional “to give light to all who are in the house” human life, of our solidarity with each is available at 815/387-3379, mail offi ces. (Mt 15). other, including with those not yet born, projectrachelrockford@gmail. POSTMASTER: send address To know that we are the light of the and of the tragedy of abortion for men com and from hopeafterabortion. changes to The Observer, 555 world is of course an honor and a privilege and women. We’ve done so by prayer, com, 888/456-4673 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box of faith that we bear. It means that Christ by fasting, by keeping vigils and by 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 is truly within us, guiding us and making committing ourselves and our families to duress. Others have come to feel profound For ADVERTISING information: us different. But how important is that the value of life. and lasting regrets, perhaps after having Contact The Observer at the light for the world! The videos of the last few weeks have been deceived by the bland and seductive address above or call 815/399- The world needs us to be the light of shown to us the price to be paid, by the rhetoric of choice. 4300; fax 815/399-6225, Christ so that it doesn’t wander and lose its unborn and by all of us, when our human But now, how many such women having E-mail: kmccarthy@ rockforddiocese.org. way in darkness. And that need for light is nature walks in darkness without the seen or read of what has been revealed in not just in the wider world. Closer in, our light of Christ. We always pray for those these videos must feel even more profound Send NEWS information to The families and friends desperately need us to involved in sin and weakness.