ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 86 | No. 13 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Rite Welcomes the Elect BY AMANDA HUDSON sons Brendan and El- Melanie O’Neill News editor liott as they took this See the and her sons names of important step toward Brendan (left) ROCKFORD—As with most all events the new and Elliott becoming Catholic. in the diocese this past year, the 2021 Rite catechumens attended the of Election on Feb. 20 was smaller than David attends college on page 11 Rite of Election usual and deeply significant. in Boston and partici- in person. Her Usually, both catechumens (those to pated virtually. son David, a receive the sacrament of baptism as well Like other catechumens (and can- college student as sacraments of confirmation and the didates), they have studied the faith in in Boston, Eucharist) and already-baptized candi- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults attended virtually. The dates pack the Cathedral of St. Peter for (RCIA) classes offered by their parish the event. This year only catechumens, family attends — St. Peter in Geneva. Brendan and El- their sponsors and select family members St. Peter Parish came, to assure social distancing and liott also both attend Catholic schools. in Geneva safety. The rite also was live-streamed to After many years of close encounters where Elliott allow for remote participation. with the Church that included teach- is a student at For Melanie O’Neill, that meant her ing in a Catholic high school, Melanie the school. son David could “join” her and her felt the time was right to join the faith of her husband, Michael, a lifelong Vigil, April 3. With only three Catholic, and her three sons agreed. That evening, candidates will receive catechumens St. Peter’s pastor, Father Jonathan Bak- whichever of those sacraments of the attending the Spanish- kelund, and Deacon Gregory D’Anna Catholic faith they have not yet received. language Rite were “warm and welcoming” to them, Bishop David Malloy welcomed both of Election in Melanie says. groups of catechumens — at English and person, after Now the O’Neills and the other cate- Spanish-language ceremonies — calling the ceremony chumens of the diocese are members of it “a moment of particular grace of God Bishop Malloy “the elect” since they have been elected given ... to you and the rest of us.” spent a few by the Church (in the person of the bish- One point he shared is that, as new moments for op) to become members. Catholics, they can have an impact on the photos with The Rite of Election is the ritual that people beside them in the pews. each one, marks their entry into the final phase of “In one way you are receiving this including preparation to receive the sacraments gift for yourself,” Bishop Malloy said, catechumen Esperanza of initiation. They will be baptized, “but don’t underestimate what it means Orrala (left). confirmed and will receive first Com- for the rest of the Church to see you.” Observer photos/ Amanda Hudson) munion in their parishes at the Easter Continued on page 11 Word Change in Missal Returns to Original Phrasing

WASHINGTON (CNS)—A change U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ to Christ. Therefore, the correct trans- other languages, including Misal Roma- in wording to the concluding doxology Committee on Divine Worship said the lation ... is simply “in the unity of the no, the USCCB’s Spanish translation of of orations in the Roman Missal, from Vatican Congregation for Divine Wor- Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever,” the the missal. “one God, for ever and ever” to “God, ship and the Sacraments wrote to the memo said, adding that the prefect of English translations of the Roman for ever and ever,” took effect on Ash English-speaking bishops’ conferences the congregation “pointed out the im- Missal for use by Catholics prior to the Wednesday, Feb. 17. in May 2020 about the change. portance of affirming this Christologi- Second Vatican Council, such as the St. According to the online Catholic The memo pointed out the current cal truth amid the religious pluralism of Joseph’s Missal of the 1950s, “reflected Encyclopedia, doxology is a word that English translation that concludes “in today’s world.” the correct translation,” the memo said. “means a short verse praising God and the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, A copy of the memo was provided to “However, when the postconciliar beginning, as a rule, with the Greek for ever and ever” is “incorrect.” Catholic News Service. texts were published in English, the word Doxa,” which means glory. “There is no mention of ‘one’ in the It said the correct translation was al- word ‘one’ was added.” A Feb. 4 memo to bishops from the Latin, and ‘Deus’ in the Latin text refers ready reflected in the Roman Missal in Continued on page 3

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Bishop Malloy ...... 2 Read The Observer British DNR Orders Parental Headliners...... 3 Online Free Called ‘Immoral’ Notification Nation/World ...... 4 While we fight COVID, Bishops in England and Wales Being Challenged Diocesan...... 5-6, 11 anyone may read decry medical orders against in Illinois Ashes to Ashes ...... 7 The Observer Online attempting to resuscitate Catholics urged The Junior Observer ...... 8 for free at http:// patients with learning to write to state Our Catholic View ...... 9 observertoo.rockforddiocese.org/. disabilities during the latest legislators. For the Record ...... 10 Subscribers to the print edition will COVID-19 lockdown in the U.K. (CNS photo/Damir Sagolj, Reuters) page 6 Media/Arts...... 11 continue to receive it by mail. page 4 2 | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | The Observer Confession is Good Medicine for the Ills of Sin ne of the most remarkable refl ections in back to God. But like the prodigal son who starved The Observer (ISSN 0029- the writings of St. Paul is to be found while he herded swine, we cannot summon the 7739), is published weekly, in his Letter to the Romans. There, in will to turn back, to return to Mass, to make that except fi ve times a year by Chapter 7, St. Paul deals with the struggle necessary confession. the Diocese of Rockford, with sin that he and all of us fi nd within ourselves. All of this is a mystery with which we are 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. O Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 He famously comments, “For I do not do the good I familiar. Evil has a strong attraction to us, even Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax want, but I do the evil I do not want” (Rm 7:19). against our better judgement. It is for this reason 815/399-6225. By this comment, St. Paul helps us to think about that we need to enter into the practices of Lent each Periodical postage paid at BY BISHOP the tendency, even on the part of people who truly year. DAVID J. Rockford, Ill., and additional seek to do God’s will, to still fall into sin. During Lent, we are to turn more intensely to mail offi ces. MALLOY Every one of us at some point in life looks back God and ask His help to be done with our sins and in shame on something that we have done, even with that deadly attraction to evil. Our prayer, our POSTMASTER: send address changes to The Observer, 555 fasting, our Lenten confession, are all our arms very one though in our conscience we knew we should not Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box have. Retrospect tells us we should have held our against evil. 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 Eof us at tongue. We should have avoided that situation. We In some ways, our Lenten observances are like For ADVERTISING information: knew the right thing to do and for some reason we the vaccines now being administered against the some point Contact The Observer at the in life looks didn’t do it. coronavirus. 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Lent is the time and confession is the way to is, after falling into sin, we can recognize the way do that. The Observer Online digital subscriptions are also available. Publisher: Most Reverend David J. Malloy Editor: Penny Wiegert Prayer Goes from Liturgy to Life News Editor: Amanda Hudson

From the General Audience, Library of the Apostolic Palace, Feb. 10 live in their fantasy, they do not know how to deal Features and Multimedia with concrete reality. And today is real, today is Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld In the preceding catechesis we saw how Christian concrete. Circulation/Proofreading: prayer is “anchored” in the liturgy. Today, we will And prayer takes place today. Jesus comes to Susan Sabrowski shed light on how it always returns into daily life meet us today, the day we are living. And it is from the liturgy: on the streets, in offi ces, on public Accounting: Jill Bonk prayer that transforms this day into grace, or better, (CNS photo/C. Peri via Reuters) Peri photo/C. (CNS transportation ... and there it continues the dialogue that transforms us. It quells anger, sustains love, Advertising and Marketing: BY POPE with God. One who prays is like someone in love multiplies joy, instills the strength to forgive. Kevin McCarthy FR ANCIS who always carries the beloved person in his or her Sometimes it will seem that it is no longer we Production and Web heart wherever they go. who are living, but that grace lives and works Administrator: Gary Haughton Essentially, everything becomes a part of this in us through prayer. And when an angry, an rayer dialogue with God. Every joy becomes a reason for Contributing Writers: unhappy thought comes to us, that moves us toward praise, every trial is an opportunity to ask for help. Father Kenneth Wasilewski, Ptakes bitterness, let us stop ourselves and say to the Lord: place today. Prayer is always alive in our lives, like embers; even Lynne Conner, Tony Carton, when the mouth does not speak, the heart speaks. “Where are you? And where am I going?” Pat Szpekowski, Margarita Jesus comes Every thought, even apparently “profane” ones, can And the Lord is there, the Lord will give us the Mendoza, Louise Brass right word, the advice to go ahead without that to meet us be permeated by prayer. Publication Dates: Weekly today, the There is even a prayerful aspect in human bitter taste of negativity. For prayer is always ... positive. Always. It will carry you forward. except that in 2021 there will day we are intelligence. It is, in fact, a window peering into the be no issues on Jan. 1, April mystery. It illuminates the few steps in front of us Each day that begins, if welcomed in prayer, living. is accompanied by courage, so that the problems 30, July 30, Oct. 29 and Dec. and then opens up to the entire reality, this reality 30. that precedes it and surpasses it. we have to face no longer seem to be obstacles This mystery does not have a disquieting or to our happiness, but rather appeals from God, News Deadlines: Usually, 10 anxious face, no. Knowledge of Christ makes us opportunities for our encounter with Him. And days before publication date. when one is accompanied by the Lord, he or she confi dent that whatever our eyes and our minds’ Ad Deadlines: Usually, 10 eyes cannot see, rather than nothing being there, feels more courageous, freer, and even happier. days before publication date. there is someone who is waiting for us. There is Thus, let us always pray for everything and for Offi cial information on the poli- infi nite grace. everyone, even for our enemies. Jesus counselled us to do this: “Pray for your enemies.” Let us pray for cies, activities, and positions And thus, Christian prayer instills an invincible of the Diocese of Rockford is hope in the human heart. Whatever experience may our dear ones, but also for those we do not know. released only in the pages of touch us on our journey, God’s love can turn it into Let us pray even for our enemies, as I said, as the The Observer, or in state- good. Scriptures often invite us to do. Prayer inclines us ments from the Diocesan In this regard, the Catechism (of the Catholic toward a superabundant love. Offi ce of Communications and Publications. Church) reads: “We learn to pray at certain Let us pray above all for unhappy people, for moments by hearing the Word of the Lord and those who weep in solitude and give up hope that The Observer uses recycled paper and is recyclable. sharing in His Paschal Mystery, but His Spirit is there might still be someone who loves them. Prayer off ered us at all times, in the events of each day, works miracles, and so the poor understand, by Our Mission is the mission God’s grace that even in their precarious situation of the Church itself — to to make prayer spring up from us ... time is in the spread the Gospel through Father’s hands. It is in the present that we encounter the prayer of a Christian makes Christ’s compassion contemporary means of Him, not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today” (2659). present. Indeed, He looked with great tenderness communications. Today I meet God, today is always the day of the on the weary and lost crowd who were like sheep encounter. without a shepherd (see Mk 6:34). The Lord is Member of: There is no day more wonderful than the one we — let us not forget — the Lord of compassion, are living. Those who live always thinking about of nearness, of tenderness: three words never the future: “But the future will be better...”, but to be forgotten. Because this is the Lord’s style: do not take each day as it comes are people who compassion, nearness, tenderness. Headliners The Observer | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | 3 Word Change in Missal Returns to Original Phrasing

From page 1 When the translation of the Roman Missal currently in use was underway in the 2000s, the International Commis- sion on English in the Liturgy “pointed out the discrepancy to the congregation in Rome, but was told to retain the use of ‘one God’ in the new translation,” ac- cording to the memo. After the doctrinal congregation’s di- rective last May, the USCCB’s Latin-rite bishops voted to amend the concluding doxology of orations, or “collects,” of the Roman Missal to reflect the change. The congregation confirmed the deci- sion, as it had for the episcopal confer- ences of England and Wales, Ireland and Canada. The translation change — “God, for ever and ever” — applies to other litur- gical books, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, the memo said, adding that there is no need to publish new Roman Mis- sals, because “it should not be difficult for the celebrant simply to omit the word ‘one’ when offering the prayer.” But it added that publishers “are being informed of this change” and reprints or

new editions of the Roman Missal will (Observer photo/Sharon Boehlefeld) reflect the new translation, as will any A 1956 St. Joseph Daily Missal (left) shows both the Latin spoken doxology in use shortly after Vatican II changes. The USCCB put worship aids for the faithful and other by the priest and the English translation for the concluding dox- a new version in practice on Ash Wednesday that matches the similar publications. ology. A 1974 edition shows an English version of the concluding earlier translation.

St. John Neumann Parish Adds St. Joseph Grotto Thinking Just in time for the Year of St. Joseph, St. John about a Neumann Parish in St. Charles added a grotto vocation? dedicated to the saint. It was built in November 2020 in the southwest corner of the church parking lot. Does your parish have an especially striking statue Call the or area dedicated to St. Joseph? Are you making a Vocations St. Joseph altar this year? Send a photo to observer@ Office rockforddiocese.org and we’ll post it on our Facebook at 815- page. We’ll also print them in the paper when we 399-4300 have room. Be sure to let us know where it is and tell today. us if there is any special history about it. Lenten Fish Fry Buffet (Photo provided) All You Can Eat Bishop Malloy’s Public Schedule Baked and Fried STERLING — Feb. 27, 10 a.m., Rockford-107823162598914/ Confirmation ceremony, St. Mary St. Mary Oregon ELGIN — March 6, 10 a.m. Church quality Cod and and 11:30 a.m., Confirmation ROCKFORD — Feb. 28, 7:30 ceremonies, St. Mary Church a.m., Sunday Mass, Cathedral of ROCKFORD — March 7, 7:30 all the trimmings St. Peter a.m., Sunday Mass, Cathedral of Drive thru Fish and Chips ONLINE — Feb. 28, 9 a.m. St. Peter Sunday Mass, https://www. ONLINE — March 7, 9 a.m. rockforddiocese.org/ and https:// Sunday Mass, https://www. www.facebook.com/Diocese-of- rockforddiocese.org/ and https:// — Every Friday thru March 26 — Rockford-107823162598914/ www.facebook.com/Diocese-of- Mark your calendars DIXON — March 1, 5:30 Rockford-107823162598914/ p.m. and 7 p.m., Confirmation HAMPSHIRE — March 9, 5:30 ceremonies, St. Anne Church Feb. 19 - Feb. 26 - March 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Confirmation FREEPORT — March 2, 5:30 ceremonies, St. Charles Borromeo p.m., Confirmation ceremony, St. Church March 12 - March 19 - March 26 Thomas Aquinas Church ONLINE — March 10, 12 ONLINE — March 3, 12 noon, Wednesday devotion 4:30 — 6:30 pm noon, Wednesday devotion and reflection, https://www. and reflection, https://www. rockforddiocese.org/ and https:// rockforddiocese.org/ and https:// www.facebook.com/Diocese-of- Fried Cod — French Fries — Cole Slaw www.facebook.com/Diocese-of- Rockford-107823162598914/ $10 per person — Cash Only! Corrections and Clarifications In the Feb. 5 edition of The Observer, three death notices St. Mary Parish Center were incorrectly listed as being from St. Mary Parish in DeKalb. 881 Mongan Drive — Rt. 64 West — Oregon, IL The deaths were from St. Mary Parish in Huntley and are listed correctly today on page 10. 815-732-7383 The Observer regrets the errors. 4 | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | The Observer Nation/World News in Brief Vatican expects budget deficit for 2021 VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In the wake of the economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican Secre- tariat for the Economy said it expects a multimillion-dollar deficit in its budget for 2021. In a statement released Feb. 19, the Vatican said Pope Francis signed off on the Holy See’s 2021 budget, which was proposed by the secretariat and approved by the Council for the Economy, the Vatican board charged with overseeing the financial operations of all offices and entities. “With total revenues of 260.4 million euros (US$316 million) and expenses of 310.1 million euros ($376.3 million), the Holy See expects a deficit of 49.7 mil- lion euros ($60.3 million) in 2021, heavily impacted by the economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the secretariat said. Scottish Christian leaders say hate crime bill limits freedom to disagree GLASGOW (CNS)—The Scottish government should with- draw parts of a hate crime bill because of the risk it will lead to the prosecution of people solely for disagreeing with gender ideology and same-sex marriage, said Catholic and Protestant leaders. The Catholic Church, the Free Church (CNS photo/Christine Bordelon, Clarion Herald) of Scotland and the Evangelical Alliance wrote a letter to Humza Yousaf, justice secretary, to demand more time A Small Taste of Mardi Gras at New Orleans Convent be allocated for the “detailed consideration” of propos- A two-story residence that is home to several Mount Carmel sisters in New Orleans is seen ahead of als to limit freedom of expression. The Feb. 12 letter said Mardi Gras, which was Feb. 16. Mount Carmel Academy art students created Mardi Gras-style imagery they wanted the government “to ensure (that) freedom with wood, corrugated plastic and outdoor paint for the 7-foot-tall class mascots and other decorations. of expression provisions, which enshrine free and open debate, are afforded the scrutiny they require.” According to reports in the media, the governing Scottish National Party discarded an amendment to protect freedom of ex- pression, reached after eight months of negotiations, after British DNR Orders receiving complaints from gay rights activists. Diocese of Winona-Rochester settles with abuse survivors for $21.5 million Called ‘Immoral’ ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS)—The Diocese of Winona-Roches- MANCHESTER, Eng- tion program, it is shocking to ter, Minnesota, has reached a $21.5 million settlement with land (CNS)—Medical orders hear that people with learning a creditors’ committee representing 145 survivors of clergy against attempting to resusci- disabilities are being made the sexual abuse, the diocese said in a Feb. 10 statement. The tate patients with learning dis- victims of such discrimina- settlement will allow the diocese to submit a plan of reor- abilities during the latest CO- tion,” said Bishop Moth, chair- ganization under its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings VID-19 lockdown in the U.K. man of the bishops’ Depart- to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for approval. are “wholly unacceptable and ment for Social Justice. immoral,” said the bishops of (CNS photo/Damir Sagolj, Reuters) Their caregivers “have shown England and Wales. Winter storm’s grip doesn’t stop A baby born with Down Syn- deep love and compassion dur- Bishop Richard Moth of drome is pictured in a file photo. ing the pandemic to ensure that ministries, outreach in Dallas Diocese Arundel and Brighton issued a they are as safe as possible,” he DALLAS (CNS)—Despite the grip the historic winter Feb. 16 statement denouncing not support the practice and has storm had on north Texas, faith fueled outreach to Catho- the practice of imposing Do notified all health care provid- said. “It is wholly unacceptable lics and other community members in the Diocese of Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary ers to desist, threatening fur- and immoral to suggest that the Dallas. “It’s an opportunity for us to provide to our parish- Resuscitation (DNACPR) or- ther action to halt the practice challenges which some people ioners in any way we can,” Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns ders on such patients during the if necessary. with learning disabilities face said. Winter weather second wave of the COVID-19 “In a time when we are be- with communicating symp- that left millions without pandemic. ing given so much hope by the toms should make them candi- electricity and produced The government said it does efficient rollout of the vaccina- dates for a DNACPR order.” record-breaking tem- peratures blasted the region the week of Feb. Spanish Lawyers Act to Prevent 15. Many parishes in the diocese announced (CNS photo/Kevin Bartram via cathdal.org) Removal of Crosses by Local Officials closures, canceling Ash St. Gabriel the Archangel Catho- Wednesday services. lic Church in McKinney, Texas, is VALLADOLID, Spain town’s Carmelite convent. Some parishes planned snowcovered Feb. 17. (CNS)—A group of Spanish In a Feb. 12 interview with to distribute ashes at the lawyers has launched peti- Catholic News Service, she end of Sunday Masses Feb. 21. tions and lawsuits to prevent said the 20-foot concrete cross the removal of crosses by lo- had been taken down illegally cal officials, after claims that amid Catholic protests, in vio- Christian symbols are linked lation of religious freedom. Watch Sunday with the country’s former dic- The press office of the Span- tatorship. (CNS file photo/Kevin Bartram via cathdal.org) ish bishops’ conference told “Many towns are being The cross of St. Michael perches CNS Feb. 12 the Association of Catholic TV in the pressured to get rid of public atop a cliff in Montserrat, Spain. Christian Lawyers was acting Rockford Diocese starts crosses, which local people independently of the Church. governments in hopes of hav- with a faith-filled have spent weeks and months It said the conference would program at 6 a.m., defending,” said Maria Riesco, ing them restored.” not comment on the removal of spokeswoman for the Associa- Riesco, a Catholic, spoke as public crosses. followed by Mass at tion of Christian Lawyers. the association announced legal In a Jan. 17 homily, Bishop 6:30 a.m. on WREX “We are checking the docu- proceedings against the mayor Demetrio Fernández González channel 13 in Rockford View Mass anytime atwww.rockforddiocese.org/tv-mass mentation and investigating of Aguilar de la Frontera, near of Cordoba warned officials and on cable. Brought to you by the Diocesan Office of Communication and each case, as well as maintain- Cordoba, for ordering the de- Christians would take note of Publications ing a dialogue with regional molition of a cross outside the their actions at election time. Diocesan The Observer | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | 5 Diocesan Educators Have COVID Shots

Principal Brenna O’Hearn (far right) and teachers High School recently. Also baring their arms are Mi- (above right) from St. Margaret Mary School in Al- chael Kagan (far left), superintendent, and Vito DiFris- gonquin show their shots and cards after receiving co (above left), assistant superintendent of diocesan their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines at Huntley schools. Other educators are getting shots, too. (Photos provided) 6 | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | The Observer Diocesan

Lent Begins in Person, Online in Rockford Diocese Don’t Miss The 2021 season of peni- tence and preparation began Bishop in person and online around the Rockford Diocese on Ash Malloy’s Wednesday, Feb. 17. LEFT: Bishop David Malloy TV Messages sprinkles ashes on the head of a diocesan employee in the Cha- Weekday Reflection pel of the Immaculate Concep- tion at the Diocesan Adminis- (about 6:58 a.m.) tration Center. He o ered Mass on WREX-TV, Channel 13, for building employees that Rockford day.

TOP RIGHT: Father Kenneth (Observer photo/Amanda Hudson) Top o’ the Wasilewski (left) sprinkles ashes at an early service at Holy Family Morning Parish in Rockford. BOTTOM RIGHT: Father David with Beauvais, retired, o ered an on- line prayer session for employ- Bishop ees and others at SwedishAmer- ican Hospital in Rockford. He has Malloy traditionally presided over an in Listen to archives anytime at person Ash Wednesday service http://observer.rockforddiocese.org. at the hospital chapel, but this Click on Bishop Malloy on the top left year it was recorded for online side of the page. delivery.

Brought to you by (Observer photo/Amanda Hudson) (Observer screengrab/Sharon Boehlefeld) Fitzgerald Funeral Homes Illinois Bank & Trust Diocesan Office of Communication and Parental Notifi cation Being Challenged in Illinois Publications The Observer Quick action needed care being provided to their runaways. The conference said in a let- Office of Charitable Giving, child. The fact that Illinois will be- ter, “Due to the Covid-19 pan- Diocese of Rockford to reach state The message to parish right come the only state among its demic, many of the advocacy legislators to life committees also ex- neighboring states not to have eff orts that were eff ectively plained under current law, some type of parental notifi - used in the past cannot be pur- DIOCESE—The Catholic minors cannot get a tattoo or cation law will make it more sued. There will be no Life Conference of Illinois has is- piercing without parental con- likely that young girls will be Advocacy Days, and in-person sued an action alert regarding sent. Minors cannot vote, buy brought across statelines for meetings with legislators are HB1797, which seeks to repeal cigarettes or lottery tickets, but this procedure. not possible at this point. How- Illinois’ Parental Notifi cation the proposed legislation would The LiFE Offi ce urged parish ever, there are contacts we can of Abortion Act. allow them to get an abortion right to life committees to acti- still make, and we are counting A message from the Dioc- without the knowledge of their vate their legislative alert trees on you to help facilitate them. esan Life and Family Evan- parents. as soon as possible. Possible method of contact gelization Offi ce says the bill The bill also makes it easier The Catholic Conference of include phone calls, letters, should be of concern to all peo- to abuse young girls, espe- Illinois recommends writing emails, and Zoom meetings ple — pro-life and pro-choice cially by human traffi ckers, to, calling or setting up Zoom with your legislators as their alike — as it usurps a parent’s and it aids predators who take meetings with state senators concerned constituent.” And Don’t Miss right to know about the health advantage of at-risk girls and and representatives. Info: [email protected]

His Column Free drive- through Free COVID-19 Testing in Aurora COVID-19 Weekly in testing began AURORA—Free drive- Contactless testing is off ered Feb. 19 in through COVID-19 testing be- from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday The Aurora at the gan Feb. 19 at the Fox Valley through Sunday. No appoint- parking lot at Habitat for Humanity ReStore ment is necessary. Observer 2302 W. Indian parking lot, 2302 W. Indian Clients should bring identifi - (Photo provided/Al Benson) Trail Road. Trail Road in Aurora. cation and insurance informa- tion. The test site is operated Subscribe by Free Covid Care. Results are available in 48 to 72 hours. Lincoln Inn / Faranda’s Dine In & Curbside In addition to a free, real- Today! time diagnostic test for coro- Lenten Fish Fry — Friday’s 2/19 — 4/2 navirus infection, other tests Select print, digital Serving 4:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. available are a rapid antigen or both for just Dinners include Soup or Salad, Cole Slaw, Tartar Sauce, Garlic Bread & Choice of Side test for $79 and a COVID-19 antibody test for $59. $28 per year. Call 815-756-2345 to order or reserve your table. Info: 833-219-7867, e-mail info@ Call 815-399-4300 freecovidcare.com or visit www. Fried Cod ...... $14 freecovidcare.com ext. 383 or go online at Baked Cod ...... $15 http://observer. Broiled Haddock ...... $15 rockforddiocese.org Shrimp basket ...... $16 Kids Favorites Say ‘Thank Chicken Tenders ...... $15 (10 yrs & younger) you, Father! Chicken Tenders w/Potato Wedges Additional Entrees: Watch for this logo on The Ribs & Shrimp ...... $20 Grilled Cheese w/Potato Wedges Observer Catholic Beef Medallions ...... $16 $9 Newspaper Facebook page and join 302 Grove Street — Downtown DeKalb us in praying for www.farandas.com our priests. Ashes to Ashes The Observer | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | 7

2nd Week of Lent

The Observer’s 2021 Lent Kitchen Don’t Get Stuck Cauliflower Wild Rice Soup

In the Weeds Ingredients 1 cup chopped celery n a lot of cooking competition shows they use the 1 medium white onion, diced phrase “getting stuck in the weeds.” They have an ultimate plan for the dish they’re making, but in (approx. 1 1/2 cups) the midst of making it the little distractions can 3 cloves garlic, minced Ooverwhelm. 1 tsp. each ground thyme and Sometimes, flowing from our zeal for the faith, we too can find oregano ourselves in the weeds 2 cups peeled and diced carrots during Lent. We start Lent Reflection 4 heaping cups or 1 small head of with a plan — maybe some daily sacrifice or by Father Robert cauliflower, chopped into small extra devotion — but Blood florets Parochial vicar, Holy Family, by about this time we 5 cups vegetable broth (Observer photo/Sharon Boehlefeld) Rockford can lose sight of the 1/2 cup nutritional yeast or grated why. parmesan cheese for flavor and protein We rush at the to taste end of the day to 1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1-2 tbsp) get the rosary in. We struggle to avoid the decadent dessert 1 tsp. each sea salt and black pepper, or more after a stressful day of family. And that stretching pushes us to entertain thoughts of resentment or feelings of self-loathing if we Directions can’t seem to cut it. I don’t believe being stuck and frustrated is the intention of the Cook the wild rice according to package cheese. Church in giving us this season. Lent is a time of preparation, not instructions. While it’s cooking, start making Scoop half of the soup into a blender. With necessarily a forced season of suffering. We are waiting for, and the soup. the lid ajar to let the steam escape, blend on actively preparing our hearts for the Resurrection of the Christ. Add the onion, garlic and celery to a large- low gradually increasing to high and blend Preparation can be real work, and it can be tiresome. Imagine a cook having to peel countless potatoes in order to serve their soup pot with 2 tablespoons of water and until smooth and creamy. Pour the blended restaurants’ needs. The peeling isn’t for the peeling’s sake. It’s cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes soup back into the rest of the soup. for the result of having the prepared food. until starting to soften, stirring often (alter- Stir in the cooked wild rice. The extra prayer, fasting, and almsgiving isn’t there for its own natively, you can saute the veggies in 1 tbsp Season with salt and pepper and if desired, sake but instead for the result of our hearts being softened while of olive oil). If the pot starts to dry out at any a squeeze from a fresh lemon. we wait in hope for Christ’s destroying death by death. It’s been a long year. Some have mentioned how it doesn’t feel time, add another tablespoon of water. Cooks’ notes: We used about a half a table- like Lent ended from last year because continuous suffering has Add the thyme and oregano, stir to com- spoon of olive oil to saute the onions, celery become a pretty normal reality for many since last spring. bine and cook for another 2 minutes until and garlic instead of cooking them in water. I think in a special way during this Lent it is important for us fragrant. to keep our eye on the goal, Easter. Christ prevails. Add the cauliflower, carrot and all of the We used an immersion blender in the soup If today you’re feeling stuck in the weeds, take a deep breath, be vegetable broth. Simmer over medium heat pot and thought that worked fine. And we gentle with yourself, and remember that He is with us every step left out the salt and pepper before tasting of the way to bring us to the light that we so desperately hope for. until the carrots and cauliflower are tender, about 20 minutes. the first bowl and it was delicious. A plus for Stir in the nutritional yeast or parmesan this recipe is the great aroma that filled the Lent What’s Up kitchen while the wild rice cooked.

AURORA Wednesday. Info 630-761-0399 or [email protected] St. Rita of Cascia Ongoing GENOA Stations: 6:30 p.m. English and 7 If you missed it before, you can still p.m. Spanish, Fridays during Lent. St. Catherine of Genoa Ongoing Confessions: after morning Mass on Fish fries: 4-7 p.m. Fridays through order the Lent Foods Cookbook! Wednesdays; 3-4 p.m. Saturdays March 26. Drive-through only; rear church parking lot. Wild-caught There are still a few copies of BATAVIA Alaskan pollock with made-from- the Lent Foods Cookbook featuring scratch Polish breading, baked Holy Cross potato, sour cream, butter and all the meatless foods in The Ongoing dinner roll. Cost: donation Observer’s Ashes to Ashes pages Communal prayer and talk: 7 p.m. Sundays in Lent. Limited seating. Stations: 5:30 p.m. Spanish; 7 p.m. from 2007 to 2020. Order now Feb. 28, Peace with God; March 7, English. Fridays through March 26 and, in one, full-color, spiral-bound Peace with Ourselves; March 14, ROCKFORD cookbook you’ll get: Peace with Our Neighbor; March  Meatless recipes for adults’ and 21, Peace with Life. Sign up through Catholic Women’s League children’s tastes the parish website. The mission talk Ongoing will also be available on the parish Easter project: The Catholic  Lent fasting and abstinence website from the Sunday it first Women’s League is collecting rules is posted through the following donations to buy gift certificates for Sunday morning. Rockford area Catholic families who  Prayers for Lent, for foods and Fish fry to go: 4:30-7 p.m. need help with their Easter meal. more. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1117 N. Mail contributions to CWL Easter Washington Ave. Fridays through Project – Kathy Walls, 5559 Lambeth Just $15 + shipping and March 26. Cost: $14.50 per person Lane, Rockford IL 61107. Info: Mary handling for cod and included sides; $8 Jo Keffer, [email protected] To order, call 815/399-4300, fried shrimp; $4 New England clam More Lent events: See additional chowder; $3.50 apple pie slice. Lent activities in The Observer Feb. ext. 419. Orders must be placed by noon 12 and 19 editions. Get ’em while Please take the time to thank our advertisers. they last! 8 | FRIDAY FEBRIUARY 26, 2021 | The Observer The Junior Observer Vol. 35, No. 5 Published by The Observer, Official Catholic Newspaper of the Diocese of Rockford [email protected]

A Good News Story Q&A Jesus’ Friends See Change What Catholic News Service Six days later, Jesus took Peter, esus taught the people and James and John and led them up performed miracles as He a high mountain while the other did the Apostles remained behind. J traveled to different places with His Apostles. Jesus was transfigured — changed transfigured One time, Jesus fed a crowd of — before His friends’ eyes, and His 4,000 people with seven loaves of clothes became a dazzling white. Jesus’ bread and a few fish. After every- “Let us make Then Elijah and Moses appeared one ate their fill, there were seven three tents ... .” and began talking to Jesus. baskets of food left over. Another (CNS) Peter, James and John were so clothes look time, He restored sight to a blind terrified that they really didn’t know man in Bethsaida. Bible Trivia what they should do or say. like? During these travels, Jesus What item did Jesus and “Rabbi, it is good that we are talked to the Apostles about many the Apostles forget to bring here!” Peter managed to get out. “Let things. As they were heading toward in the boat during their us make three tents: one for you, one

travels? (Hint: Mark 8:4) Bread

Who the villages of Caesarea Philippi one Answer: for Moses and one for Elijah.” day, He asked them a question. After Peter spoke, a cloud came “Who do people say that I am?” and cast a shadow over them. appeared He asked His friends. A voice could be heard from the cloud. “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him,” the voice to speak to prophets,” they answered. said. “But who do you say that I am?” He wanted to know. Suddenly, Peter, James and John looked around. Mo- Jesus? “You are the Messiah,” Peter replied. ses and Elijah were gone, and Jesus was alone with them. Jesus warned the Apostles not to tell anyone. As they came down the mountain, Jesus told His He then began teaching His friends that the Son of friends not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Read more about it Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the Son of Man had risen from the dead. in Mark 8 and 9 chief priests and the scribes, and that He would be killed So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning and rise after three days. what rising from the dead meant. Offer a Novena to St. Joseph This Year

Before Christmas 2020, nine days. Novena comes from you should start on March St. Joseph altar Pope Francis declared a year the Latin word for nine, 10. That way you will finish in honor of St. Joseph. which is novem. on his feast day. Each St. Joseph altar or The year started Dec. 8, There are many The Italian novena table includes a statue or image 2020, and ends Dec. 8 this year. novenas to St. tradition leads up to a of St. Joseph on the top. Cut One of the special days Joseph. Some are celebration of thanks out the one on this page. in the year is the feast of much longer than that includes a St. If you tape or glue it to St. Joseph on March 19. this one. Joseph altar or a piece of cardboard, it will Every year several parishes If your table in the stand up easily. This is a free in the Rockford Diocese take family church or picture from https://www. part in an Italian tradition wants to at home. catholicicing.com/st-joseph- of praying a novena to St. pray this novena-with-free-download/. Joseph starting on March 10. novena to St. Ask an adult at your house to Joseph, go to the Catholic Icing website What is a novena? to learn more about the novena A novena is a special and look for how to make a St. prayer that takes place over Joseph Altar for your home.

Saint Joseph 0 St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. 0 St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen (The Junior Observer image/courtesy https://www.catholicicing.com) Our Catholic View The Observer | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | 9

Faith Alive — Catholic Social Teaching Scripture Re ection for Feb. 28, 2nd Sunday of Lent Bishops Speak of Economic Justice Hard Words

BY FATHER HERB WEBER | Catholic News Service BY KEVIN PERROTTA The U.S. bishops, in their “Economic Justice for All” pas- Catholic News Service toral letter, added the element of the common good as A friend of mine clashed with his both a reason for and a result of focusing on the poor. It’s parents about his plans for college. He not simply that the poor and vulnerable need assistance, wanted a big state university. They but working to help them is a way to allow for the good insisted on a community college and of everyone in society. They, too, can be contributing wouldn’t budge. After a long struggle, members of society. angry and desperate, he thought he would Even when people agree with the Church’s option for be better off without them. On a weekend the poor, the question is where to allow this position to when they were away, he packed up his take them. car (their car) Simply put, people begin with awareness of who is vul- and drove off . nerable and who are the poor. A growing consciousness After a couple can lead to action, but people have to get beyond news (CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Charities Paterson) of miles, just headlines and political talking points. A woman in need picks up food in 2020 at the Father English before entering For several years our parish has conducted mission trips Food Pantry in Paterson, N.J., run by Catholic Charities of the the expressway, to the U.S.-Mexico border. With the help of parishes in Diocese of Paterson. A preferential option for the poor and southern Texas, our volunteers have worked with refugees vulnerable must go way beyond donating non-perishable he felt he should Continued on page 10 items to a food pantry. pull over. And then God spoke to him. “If you get on that road,” God told him, “you will change the direction of your life. You will diverge from the plans I have for you — and it will not be for the Vaccines and the Pandemic of Misinformation better.” “God’s voice broke me,” my friend says. Now that COVID-19 vaccinations are Ethically Speaking people’s health, or even lives, at risk. “He did not make a demand. He simply well underway, and with estimates that This second danger highlights a told me the long-term consequences of most Americans will be vaccinated by pernicious irony. Those morally opposed by Father my rebellion. This was a warning. I had a the summer, the end of the pandemic Kenneth to the vaccines generally claim that their seems nearer. objection stems from being pro-life. Yet, choice. His plans or my dreams. Weeping Wasilewski from disappointment, I turned around and Over the last several months, the Diocesan Ethicist potentially putting the health or lives of Vatican, the U.S. Conference of returned home.” [email protected] vulnerable people at risk by refusing to Catholic Bishops, the Illinois Catholic get vaccinated, or instructing others to I was reminded of my friend’s Conference (representing the Illinois bishops), along with avoid vaccination, is anything but a pro-life act. In fact, it experience when I came to the last line of groups like The National Catholic Bioethics Center, have may simply prove that sometimes opposition to abortion today’s fi rst reading. God told Abraham unanimously stated that faithful Catholics may receive doesn’t equal being authentically pro-life. to do something supremely diffi cult. one of the current vaccines in good conscience. Nevertheless, confronted with these objections, it’s When Abraham showed his willingness, Nevertheless, in Catholic circles moral questions important to note a few things. The vaccines produced God commended him and promised continue to be raised, and objections to the vaccines by Pfi zer and Moderna (the only ones currently available) him blessings, “because you listened to made, despite the consistent and straightforward were not developed utilizing fetal cells. In fact, they my voice.” (The liturgical translation is instruction off ered by the Church. Why? It seems these weren’t produced using human cells of any kind. They objections are coming either from misinformation about “because you obeyed my command,” but are a diff erent kind of vaccine altogether. They simply “listened to my voice” is a little closer to how the vaccines are produced (claiming that they’re give your body the instructions it needs to produce the the Hebrew original.) produced using tissue from an abortion), or from a right kind of antibodies. misunderstanding of the Church’s teaching (that to Listening to someone’s voice is That being said, after these vaccines were produced, receive the vaccine is sinful). some of the testing done involved human cell lines which personal. If that person loves you, you Complicating things further, this misinformation and are historically connected to an abortion (or abortions) can hear it when they speak to you. If you misunderstanding often coincide, with one fueling the that happened decades ago. While this fact can make us know someone loves you, you will pay other. When this happens, it can result in a rejection of a little uneasy, and cause us to pause, it doesn’t mean attention to what they say even if they are the Church’s guidance altogether. calling you to do something very hard. Against this backdrop, it is easy to see why confusion that receiving it today somehow makes us at all complicit Hearing the love in their voice, you may exists. Sadly, sometimes the voices entrusted with with an abortion that happened all those years ago. speaking publicly on behalf of the Church end up The connection between that past sinful act, and the do something that is the last thing in the being the same ones responsible for spreading the vaccines actually received today, is so remote that there world you want to do. You do it because misinformation or deepening the misunderstanding. It all exists no moral obstacle in receiving them. If such a you know you are loved. gets very messy. slight connection did mean we had to refuse them on I’m not saying it was easy for Abraham To be blunt, anyone claiming that the current vaccines moral grounds, then we would likewise be compelled to to respond to God’s call to relinquish his are produced using tissue from aborted fetuses or that avoid other things, like buying gas, shopping at many son. It certainly wasn’t easy for my friend it’s morally wrong for a Catholic to be vaccinated, is stores, and paying taxes, to name a few. to give up his plans for college. “The The Vatican, the USCCB, and other credible Catholic either grossly ignorant of how the current vaccines pain was incalculable,” he told me. But voices, have taken it even further, pointing out that it are produced and the Church’s teaching regarding he decided to make the best of the school vaccinations or is stubbornly holding onto a false would require a far greater and more direct connection to year at the place where, it seemed, God narrative and intentionally misrepresenting what the abortion, with a less compelling reason to be vaccinated, wanted him. Church teaches. before a Catholic would need to reject a vaccine on moral Either way, the confusion caused is dangerous. It’s grounds. Looking back over 50 years, he can dangerous spiritually because misrepresenting the Will knowing all this stop the current misinformation detect many ways that God has worked truth can lead people into error, not to mention causing from spreading? No, but perhaps knowing these things out his good intentions for him — and needless division among Catholics. It is dangerous will help to serve as a vaccine against the current more than ever he’s trying to listen to His practically because it can directly or indirectly put pandemic of misinformation. voice.

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Deaths FREEPORT—St. Thomas HUNTLEY—St. Mary: Anthony Aquinas: Helen R. Finn, 99, Feb. Loforte, 86, Jan. 22; Annette Mar- Parish offices may forward death and wedding information ELBURN—St. Gall: David Con- 12; William T. “Smokey” Stauffer, tin, 80, Jan. 23; Florian Zydorow- using forms at http://observer.rockforddiocese.org. Click on ville, 80, Feb. 13; 84, Feb. 21; icz, 74, Jan. 25; Lauretta Citrano, Contact Us , then click on the death or wedding form. You may 88, Feb. 14; also request death and wedding postcards by calling 815-399- POLO—St. Mary: Bernard Ant- 4300, ext. 383. We encourage you to send the information as en, 86, Jan. 8; soon as you receive it. Thank you. SAVANNA—St. John the Bap- urging us to avoid the problems in- not spare His own Son.” Are my tist: Pauline “Paula” Jean Kelsey, 95, Jan. 24; herent in materialism and by tell- gifts to the Lord — of my resourc- ing us what His Father’s kingdom es, of my time, of myself — also STERLING—St. Mary: Leona is like, Jesus gives us a clear pic- sacrificial? Jurkens, 100, Feb. 12; Ascension ture of stewardship. (Josefina) Castaneda, 88, Feb. 14. Courtesy of Sharon Hueckel Courtesy of Parish Publications Stewardship Moment “Stewardship” newsletter Life Moment

Imitate Jesus: Stewardship is a Mass Meditation Pray: That Church leaders will in- way of life; it is Jesus’s call to us spire the people by their authentic Sunday, Feb. 28 (2nd Lent): to imitate Him. Stewardship is not example of Christian living and marginal to the Gospel; rather it is Abraham was prepared to sacri- service to the Gospel. there that Jesus tells us about God fice his only son, Isaac. St. Paul and about how we are to live. By reminds us that God Himself “did Courtesy of www.priestsforlife.org Bishops Speak of Economic Justice

From page 9 millions of immigrants fleeing violence and war. as they were released from detention centers. We have consistently brought this population to Most were incredibly traumatized from both the people’s attention. journey to this country and the detention center In addition to awareness, there has to be the itself. development of a new attitude toward others. In Those who went on these trips often were fol- a world where many people create us-vs.-them lowing an unspecified inner desire to reach out divides, this new way of looking at life tries to see to families in crisis. Participants often came back others as sisters and brothers. desiring to do more than simply helping for a It takes more than clever phrases to help week. people get beyond biases, but homily examples, They were moved in profound ways to support parish hospitality plans and ongoing outreach immigration reform and to articulate the need for efforts can help. humane treatment of refugees. They had op- Whatever a congregation chooses to do, it has portunities to talk about their experiences; some to integrate into its very fabric this awareness and have become active in community groups. response to the poor and vulnerable. It cannot It also became clear that the whole parish simply settle for an occasional collection or activ- community needs to be reminded of the plight ity. of refugees around the world. Consequently, we — Father Herb Weber is founding pastor of St. John often have included petitions at Mass for all the XXIII Catholic Church, Perrysburg, Ohio.

If you or someone you know Send Lent activities now has been the victim of sexual Parishes, schools and Catholic organizations planning diocese and your county health department. abuse by an employee or mem- socially-distanced and online Lent activities may ber of the clergy of the Rockford submit them now. Online: Use the form at http:// observer. Diocese, report the matter to rockforddiocese.org/contact-us. Click on Submit Newspapers • Catalogs • Mail Service law enforcement in the county Please tell us of your Lent retreats, parish missions, Events and News. Business Cards • Magazines • Brochures in which the conduct occurred Stations of the Cross, and other non-sacramental 815-758-5484 and then please call the hot-line services. We will also share information about carry- By Mail: Send to The Observer, P.O. Box 7044, 121 Industrial Drive • DeKalb, IL 60115 number: 815-293-7540. out or pick-up meals that follow guidelines from the Rockford, IL 61125.

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Author Mark Waters has given us a signed copy of “Signs ... From a Peculiar Institution” to give to a reader of The Observer. Rite Welcomes the Elect Win Mail this form or enter online (see below) by Feb. 26. From page 1 the faith (and) forget about just Name ______Pointing to himself (“for how spectacular this gift is.” ‘Signs’ Address ______old guys like me”), the bishop They will be an inspiration, noted that “one of the things he said, and a reminder that the ______that (can) happen is you might Catholic faith is indeed “ever- get a little too familiar with green.” Town, State, Zip ______Parish and Town______Send Lent activities now Email ______Parishes, schools and Catholic observer.rockforddiocese.org/ Phone ______organizations planning socially- contact-us. Click on Submit distanced and online Lent Events and News. Mail entries to The Observer Book Give-away, PO Box activities may submit them now. By Mail: Send to The Observer, P.O. 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 or enter online at http://observer. Online: Use the form at http:// Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125. (Observer photo) rockforddiocese.org/signs.

Media /Arts At the Movies Advertise your “famous” Fish Fry Nomadland (Searchlight) in The Observer’s 2021 Lenten Guide. A-III A sense of loneliness pervades this poignant drama R in which Frances McDormand gives a bravura perfor- Dine-In or Carry-Out mance as a working-class widow from a failed factory town who takes to the road in search of seasonal employment. The Observer’s Guide Parents will have to weigh whether delicately handled ele- ments that would normally bar younger viewership should be to Lenten Dining overlooked in the case of mature teens. PARENTS: THIS FILM CONTAINS nudity in nonsexual contexts, NOW thru 4/2 mature themes, including suicide and euthanasia, scatological material, profanity, an oath, crude and a couple of crass terms. The ideal place for — Catholic News Service Parishes, Restaurants, For the latest reviews, http://observer.rockforddiocese.org, scroll to the Organizations and Clubs bottom and click on Movie Reviews. to advertise their “famous” Fish Fry, On TV Reserve your Vegetarian, Broadcast times may vary; check “Hope to Die” — March 6, Lenten Specials local listings. 4:30-5 p.m. (EWTN): Scott ad space now! or Easter Brunch! “This Land Is Your Land” — Hahn joins Rob Corzine to March 4, 8:30-10 p.m. (PBS): discuss his recently published — Contact — A look at the evolution of book “Hope to Die: The Chris- Kevin McCarthy 815-399-4300 ext. 385 modern American folk music. tian Meaning of Death and or email Part of the series “My Music” the Resurrection of the Body” The Offi cial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford [email protected] (TV-G — general audience). (TV-G). 12 | FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | The Observer

THE Prayer Intentions and Scripture Readings OBSERVER http://observer.rockforddiocese.org 815/399-4300 March 2021 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Key to listings 1 2 3 4 5 6 Daily Scripture Readings Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8-9, 11, Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8- Katharine Drexel, virgin Casimir Gn 37:3-4, 12- Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps Find full readings at https:// 13; Lk 6:36-38 9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt. Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 13a, 17b-28a; 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, bible.usccb.org/daily-bible- † Father Harry McClellan, 23:1-12 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 16:19-31 Ps 105:16-21; 11-32 reading 1934; † Father Daniel J. Pope Emeritus Benedict † Msgr. Philip L. Kennedy, † Father Charles H. Quinn, Mt 21:33-43, Priests of the Sterling † Pray for the priests who have served the Rockford Sheehan, 1939; † Father XVI 1963 1955; † Father J. Urban 45-46 Deanery Diocese and who died this David A. Murphy, 1969 Bishop David J. Malloy Halbmaier, 1959; † Father † Father Thomas G. month on the days listed. Pope Francis Father Timothy Piasecki John W. Vaughn, 1981; Flynn, 1945; † Msgr. Basil Please pray for these men Father Joseph Nicolosi † Father Vincent Marchis, 1980 and women who have a Father Peter Snieg Shindelar, 2010 Diocesan Seminarians religious vocation. Father Pierre Polycarpe 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 3rd Lent John of God, religious Frances of Rome, religious Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Hos 14:2-10; Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18- Ex 20:1-17; Ps 19:8-11; 1 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Pss 42:2-3, Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5b, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Lk 11:14-23 Ps 81:6c-11b, 21b; Lk 18:9-14 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 43:3-4; Lk 4:24-30 6, 7bc, 8-9; Mt 18:21-35 Father F. William † Father John J. Flanagan, 14, 17; Mk 12: † Father Joseph Rhode, † Father C. Alfred Dietsch, † Father Benno A. † Father Daniel Lehane, Etheredge 1931; † Father Augustine 28-34 1914; † Father Daniel 1984; † Msgr. Edward S. Hildebrand, 1936 1943 H. Mueller, 1938 Priests of the McHenry R. Daley, 1961; † Father Wright, 2007 Congregation of the Father John Kladar Permanent deacons of Deanery Aloysius Piorkowski, School Sisters of St. Humility of Mary the Rockford Diocese 1978; † Father Robert J. Francis Verstynen, 2004 Father Kenneth Anderson

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4th Lent Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, Patrick, bishop Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, St. Joseph, spouse Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9b- 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 11-12a, 13b; Jn 4:43-54 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13c- doctor of the Church of Virgin Mary 12; Jn 7:40-53 137:1-6; Eph 2:4-10; Jn † Father Lorenzo † Father Ambrose J. 14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12- † Father Alfred 3:14-21 Gonzalez, 2014 Goulet, 1948 †Father John T. Egan, Jn 5:31-47 14a, 16; Ps 89: P. Kruk, 1994 March 13: † Msgr. Charles Priests of the Freeport Congregation of the 1954; † Father Francis P. † Father Arthur R. Schmid, 2-5, 27, 29; Rom 4:13, 16- Father Louis Tosto W. McNamee, 2015 1934; † Father Thomas O. 18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a Father Carl Beekman Deanery Third Order of St. Francis Kennedy, 1999; March of Mary Immaculate 18: † Father Leonard J. Maguire, 1946; † Father (or Lk 2:41-51a) Guzzardo, 1969 Joseph M. Blitsch, 1963 Married men and fathers U.S. Bishops Men religious

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 5th Lent Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, Turibius of Mogrovejo, bishop Annunciation of the Lord Jer 20:10-13; Ez 37:21-28; (Ps) Jer 31:10- Be Reconciled Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4, 12, 33-62; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:1-11 Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, Diocesan Confession Day Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10: 13; Jn 11:45-56 15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33 † Father Thomas J. Cullen, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; 31-42 † Father James T. Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; (Ps) Priests of the Elgin 1939; † Father John J. † Father James A. Lk 1:26-38 † Father Bruno Donohue, 1943; † Father Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42 Deanery Calkins, 2001 Vanderpool, 1983; † Father Morris Stack, E. Daukas, 1991 Daniel P. Drennan, 1949; Father Jhakson Garcia Women religious † Msgr. Robert Ho man, 1910; † Father M. A. Congregation of the † Father Joseph R. Teafoe, 2013 Kissane, 1954 Resurrection, Chicago 1986 Retired women religious Transitional deacons of Province Priests of the DeKalb the Rockford Diocese Deanery

28 29 30 31 Join the Holy Father in praying for this special intention this month: Palm Sunday Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-4a, 5-6b, Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21- Sacrament of reconciliation — Let us pray that Mk 11:1-10 (or Jn 12:12- Jn 12:1-11 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation 16) (procession); Is 50:4-7; † Father Arthur Priests of the Aurora † Father Harold J. with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, M. Kreckel, 1968; March Deanery Heineman, 1963; † Father 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 28: † Msgr. Leo M. John W. Ryan, 1975 God. 14:1-15:47 Keenan, 1963 † Father Thomas M. † Father Peter M. Wilkin, — http://popesprayerusa.net/ Considine, 1988 1916; † Father Daniel J. Society of Jesus Priests and religious who McCa rey, 1936; † Msgr. Andrew J. Burns, 1957 are ill Fly the Flag Diocesan seminarians March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day Be Reconciled Nicholas Owen 1550-1606 — March 22

St. Nicholas became a lay Jesuit brother in 1597. He served St. Edmund Campion and was once imprisoned for defending him against charges of treason. Later he was in the service of Henry Garnet, the Jesuit provincial, traveling with him, staying in the homes of recusants, where he con- Come to structed hiding holes for hunted priests. Nicholas built ingeniously conceived, impossible to fi nd, hiding places that saved the lives of innumerable priests. He never discussed his work with anyone Confession so that even under torture they would not be able to disclose the location of secret rooms. After March 24 several brushes with offi cials, Nicholas gave himself up to protect other Jesuits. He was brutally tortured but never betrayed the locations of his brothers. He died March 22, 1606. http://bereconciled.rockforddiocese.org

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