Jail Mass a First for Bishop, Diocese
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ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE OBSERVER Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 79 | No. 5 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 Inside Resolve, Refresh, Renew Jail Mass a First for Bishop, Diocese We start the new year with a series of features intended BY AMANDA HUDSON the jail had been long desired to inspire you to resolve to News editor and long planned and added, “I refresh and renew yourself, think it is important for me as both physically and spiritually. ROCKFORD—“It was real the bishop of the diocese to be The fi rst features are in this nice,” one of the men said at the (here) with you.” issue. Look for more through- conclusion of a Christmas Day His homily spoke of the out the next few weeks. Mass held for him and other “something better than all of prisoners in surroundings that the pain and sorrow” in the were anything but Christmas-y. world, and that “God sent His The monotone jail block set- Son to give each one of us a ting featured no red or green or chance.” anything sparkly. Simple chairs Bishop Malloy noted in par- were set up in rows in front of ticular two messages for this an altar set up at one end of the Christmas day: fi rst, to “keep common area amidst two levels up our hope ... don’t give up of empty cells and storerooms, on God, don’t give up on the their heavy steel doors slightly world, and don’t give up on do- open. A massive, grilled win- ing right ... we must keep up dow allowed fi ltered light into (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) our hope in that (Christ) child.” Following the Christmas Mass, Bishop Malloy visited briefl y with each the room from far behind the Second, he said, was to re- participant, shaking each man’s hand and wishing them, the guards altar. member “that child came to and those who helped at the Mass a Merry Christmas. The chairs were fl anked by give us forgiveness,” noting bolted-to-the-fl oor steel tables ordinator of prison ministry in to the empty unit, which will that the “only thing that blocks and benches. Two security the diocese. Also helping with be unoccupied until the jail that forgiveness” offered by Parishioners Help Their guards kept watchful eyes on the event were George Hofstet- population count rises again God to each person is that per- Priests Get, Stay Fit the prisoners as they silently ter, executive director of the above 1,000, one of the guards son himself. pg. 4 fi ltered in and chose their seats, Rockford Reachout Jail Minis- explained as our group rode an The bishop encouraged them some in dark shirts with “Win- try, and Deacon Ignacio Felix, elevator up to the fourth fl oor. to use their time alone to pray, nebago County Jail” stenciled Michael Zarembski and Dan The around-30 prisoners who adding that “I go to confes- in white on the back, others Campbell who are part of the came joined in the opening sion every two weeks ... and in tan-colored shirts, many in still-small Catholic presence in hymn, “O Come All Ye Faith- try again and again to turn my rubbery, orange sandals. jail ministry. ful,” at Bishop Malloy’s direc- heart back to God.” He encour- Bishop David Malloy, who “Getting permission to come tion. aged them to seek forgiveness never set foot inside a jail be- into a housing unit is a really “I want to begin with sort of and to “be willing to forgive, fore that Dec. 25 morning, big deal,” Hofstetter says. Orig- an apology,” the bishop said even if it hurts, and even if it is vested for Mass just to the right inally planned for a classroom after that little spark of Christ- hard ... There is no sin, crime or of the altar, assisted by Deacon that could accommodate about mas cheer. offense that is so great that God Richard Martin, diocesan co- 20 men, the Mass was moved He explained that Mass at Continued on page 3 Fitness a Matter of Discipline for Bishop Malloy pg. 5 Strong Faith and Filipino Traditions All Part of Simbang Gabi Christmas Novena BY PAT SZPEKOWSKI Observer Correspondent CARY—The long-standing and beautiful Filipino Christ- mas novena of Simbang Gabi, or “Night Mass,” was cel- ebrated at SS. Peter and Paul Music of Praise Church, Cary, on Tuesday eve- Seasoned Observer, pg. 10 ning, Dec. 17. It was the third Mass held in a series of nine consecutive devotional eve- Resolving to ning Mass celebrations held Pray More? throughout the diocese. Try Laudate Simbang Gabi is held to hon- App or Mary, as Blessed Mother of pg. 11 God, and for the preparation of Jesus on Christmas day. It has been celebrated by the Filipino people for over 500 years. This Issue Lynn Bait, a member of the Bishop Malloy ............................. 2 St. Margaret Mary Church, Headliners ..................................... 3 Algonquin, Filipino choir, Resolve, Refresh, Renew .......4-5 eagerly anticipated the Mass Diocesan ................................. 6, 20 celebration with Bishop Da- (Observer photo by Dan Szpekowski) At the reception following Mass, members of the Filipino community served Bishop Malloy pancit, a popu- Around the Diocese ............... 7-9 vid Malloy and Father Stephen St. Jules, pastor, SS. Peter and lar Filipino noodle dish, which the bishop had referenced during his fi nal remarks at the Mass. Seasoned Observer ...........10-11 Paul Church. Nation/World ..................... 12-14 “This is our third Mass and tiful music and “O Come All names of the nine churches in- ceded Bishop Malloy, Father Media/Arts .................................. 15 we are so honored to have Ye Faithful,” sung partly in volved in this year’s Simbang St. Jules and Father Perfecto Faith Forum ............................... 16 Bishop Malloy with us this the native Filipino language, Gabi. Vasquez, director of the Fili- Viewpoints ................................ 17 evening,” Bait said. and pageantry. Women carried They were followed by the pino Ministry for the Diocese For the Record ......................... 18 The Mass began with beau- colorful banners depicting the Knights of Columbus who pre- Continued on page 3 2 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014 | The Observer We Stand with our Holy Father’s Message of The Observer (ISSN 0029- Peace and Support of Life and Religious Freedom 7739), is published weekly, except five times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, BY BISHOP DAVID J. MALLOY 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 ach year, the Holy Father As you may have seen, the Obama to follow our rightly formed consciences Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax issues a statement on Jan. 1 Administration formally responded, as we respond to God’s call. Religious 815/399-6225. to commemorate the World asking the Supreme Court not to provide freedom, the right to seek God, and in Periodical postage paid at Day of Peace. This year, in the any relief to the sisters. How sad and doing so to live our religious convictions, Rockford, Ill., and additional Emessage written by Pope Francis, he embarrassing for us as Americans is fundamental to our human nature. mail offices. said this: “In many parts of the world, that government efforts to restrict the As Pope Francis points out, respect for POSTMASTER: send address there seems to be no end to grave fundamental human right of religious religious freedom is also a fundamental changes to The Observer, 555 offences against fundamental human freedom have come to this. element for true peace. Even where Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box rights, especially the right to life and But the Holy Father’s comment needs adherents of different religions live side 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 the right to religious freedom.” (N.1). to be placed in a wider context. Religious by side, it is mutual respect for faith that is For ADVERTISING information: This month, in the United States we will freedom is now under siege globally. On a foundation for peace among them. And Contact The Observer at the mark the tragic anniversary on Jan. 22 of Christmas Day, for example, 37 Christians most importantly, it is not the power of address above or call 815/399- Roe v. Wade, the terrible Supreme Court were reportedly killed by bombings government that grants religious freedom. 4300; fax 815/399-6225, E-mail: rbergman@ decision that somehow found a right to perpetrated against them in Iraq, one of Government must respect that right that is rockforddiocese.org. abortion in our Constitution. However, which targeted Christmas Mass. given by God. it is the pope’s reference to the right to Earlier in December, a group of 12 nuns Elements of our increasingly secular Send NEWS information to The religious freedom that I would especially were abducted by Islamists from their age and society would like to relegate Observer at the address or fax like to draw our attention to. convent in the Christian town of Maaloula number above; send e-mail to religion to private gatherings on Sunday Observer@rockforddiocese. 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