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ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 83 | No. 33 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018 Feeding the Hungry Geneva’s St. Peter Parish serves steak and lobster to families who don’t always dine in high style. BY PAT SZPEKOWSKI Observer Correspondent GENEVA—More than 300 folks en- tered the school gymnasium at St. Peter Parish, here, on July 28 in quiet antici- pation of a dinner hosted just for them. They were food pantry patrons and families served by neighboring not-for- profit agencies such as Hesed House in Aurora and Lazarus House in St. Charles. Some arrived in their own vehicles, while others came in busses provided by the agencies. They were all welcomed by Father Jonathan Bakkelund, pastor, on the oc- (Observer photos/Dan Szpekowski) casion of St. Peter’s first Community Volunteers from St. Peter Parish in Geneva serve desserts to more pastor, came together in about a month. On stage, Father Jared Friends Banquet. than 300 diners during the parish’s Community Friends Banquet Twenty (left), plays the drums while accompanying Deacon Chris The idea for the banquet was spawned on July 28. The dinner, suggested by Father Jonathan Bakkelund, Lincoln, who sings familiar tunes while strumming his guitar. by a conversation he had with a priest ly evening for some of those He holds so As guests were seated waiting to be Marian Central Catholic High School in whose parish successfully served a dear to His Sacred Heart,” Father Bak- served, they were entertained by Fa- Woodstock, who played the drums, and steak and lobster dinner to those in kelund told parishioners. ther Jared Twenty, spiritual director at Deacon Chris Lincoln of St. Mary Par- need. ish in Huntley, who strummed his gui- “I loved the idea,” Father Bakkelund tar and sang familiar tunes. said. “It is important as Christians to The crowd began to sing along and serve our brothers and sisters. We do so children laughed. Smiles appeared all regularly through the food pantry and around as guests looked forward to din- St. Vincent de Paul (Society). ner. “Being Catholic,” he added, “we en- Rev. Mr. Robert Blood, a diocese joy feasting and celebrations, but there seminarian who is at St. Peter’s for the are many families who aren’t able to summer, warmly greeted the seated regularly enjoy such celebrations. This guests. is our opportunity to treat others to feel Behind the scenes, chef Alex Brown- as kings and queens and make them feel ing, owner of Sanctus Catering in Ge- special.” neva, was preparing green beans and Within a month from the time Father expertly cooking steaks and lobsters in Bakkelund expressed his intention in the school’s kitchen with quick preci- the weekly church bulletin, the parish sion. He was assisted by a team of ready provided a steak and lobster dinner for parish volunteers. area families. Once the entrees were complete, por- Generous donations from parish tions were plated and whisked away on members set the dinner in motion and carts by even more volunteers who per- made it a reality without dipping into sonally served the guests. the parish operation funds. Father Jonathan Bakkelund (standing) greets (clockwise from him) baby Makayla Law- Before dinner, Father Bakkelund of- “I deeply believe Our Lord will smile son, Santiago and Wanda Figueroa; Naomi, Michelle, Felipe, Matteo and Amadita Made- fered a short prayer. “Dear Lord, please as we do our best to provide a very love- ra; Cloe and Amy Talbott. The guests have just been served dinner. Continued on page 3 This Issue Inside Bishop Malloy ....................... 2 Crystal Lake Elgin’s St. Headliners ............................... 3 Parish Hosts Laurence to Diocesan ....................... 4-7, 16 Summer Celebrate Around the Diocese ........ 8-9 Festival 90 Years Nation/World ............... 10-11 Father William Tun- Father Andrew Seasoned Observer ........... 12 arosa (front) joins Mulcahey (right) re- others around a ta- Our Catholic View .............. 13 ceives a city council ble at St. Thomas the proclamation. For the Record .................... 14 Apostle’s Kermes. Media/Arts ............................ 15 page 7 page 16 2 | FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018 | The Observer Back to School: Back to the The Observer (ISSN 0029- 7739), is published weekly, Rhythm of Study and Prayer except fi ve times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. s we move into Diocese of Rockford. therefore our hope with the next Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 August, we already All of our schools and our generation. We strive to fulfi ll Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax sense the clock educational programs have one the Lord’s command to the 815/399-6225. running out on common goal. That is, to form in Church, “Go, therefore, and make Periodical postage paid at Asummer. our young people, and through disciples of all nations” (Mt. Rockford, Ill., and additional Nevertheless, there are still them in our families, a sense and 28:19). mail offi ces. good and warm days ahead appreciation of our true Catholic In our day, the challenge of POSTMASTER: send address BY BISHOP and the last chances for days of identity. spreading our faith is especially changes to The Observer, 555 vacation and the county fairs and Pope Benedict XVI, speaking urgent. The knowledge and Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box DAVID J. 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 MALLOY parish festivals still beckon us to to educators at the Catholic recognition of the truth about rejoice in this time of year. University of America in 2008, and from God needs to permeate For ADVERTISING information: Right around the corner, talked about our Catholic identity. every area of study, of work Contact The Observer at the his is the however, is the opening of a new He stated, “A university or school’s and of life. For this reason, our address above or call 815/399- 4300; fax 815/399-6225, school year. Whether we are Catholic identity is not simply a Catholic schools combine faith Treason Email: kmccarthy@ we sacri ce parents seeking the education question of the number of Catholic with excellence in study and rockforddiocese.org. and formation of our children, students. It is a question of in preparation to contribute to so greatly Send NEWS information to The or whether we are students or conviction — do we really believe the good of our families and of Observer at the address or fax to maintain faculty in a diocesan Catholic that only in the mystery of the society. number above; send email to and school, we know the classroom Word made fl esh does the mystery I wish to off er a special word Observer@rockforddiocese. strengthen beckons as well. of man truly become clear ... ? 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Such conviction leads us referred to Look for more in mail $97; single copies $1. faith and pleased and excited to celebrate to understand ourselves and the as leading therefore The Observer’s The Observer Online digital the opening of the new Pope Saint world. the young to Back to School subscriptions are also available. John Paul II Catholic Academy in By receiving and taking deeply truth. Thank our hope section Aug. 10 Publisher: with Aurora. to heart the message of the Old you for Most Reverend David J. Malloy The new school is being created Testament and the New, by joining with the next Editor: Penny Wiegert by the combining of four Aurora learning the truth about creation us in this great undertaking. generation. schools — Our Lady of Good and the moral law by which we As the summer ends, the school News Editor: Amanda Hudson Counsel, St. Joseph, St. Peter must live, and especially by bell rings once more. Students Features and Multimedia and St. Therese of Jesus schools. developing a personal friendship and teachers gather again with Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld It is a result of the prayer and with Jesus Christ, we learn of the friends and with new faces. Circulation/Proofreading: consultations that led to the basis for our conviction of the They once more enter into the Susan Sabrowski, Keith creation of our diocesan Faith rightness of our Catholic faith. rhythm of prayer and study. But Ludolph Forward Strategic Plan. This is the reason we sacrifi ce most especially we continue the Accounting: Jill Bonk Through that plan we continue so greatly to maintain and friendship with Jesus who calls us. Advertising and Marketing: to build and strengthen the future strengthen our Catholic schools. To all who start school again Kevin McCarthy of Catholic education in the We seek to share our faith and this month, welcome back! Production and Web Administrator: Gary Haughton Contributing Writers: Father Kenneth Wasilewski, Father Let God Break Our Chains of Bondage Kyle Manno, Keith Ludolph, Lynne Conner, Tony Carton, Pat Szpekowski, Margarita Fom the General Audiences, St.

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