Transitional Deacons Closer to Priesthood by AMANDA HUDSON News Editor ‘We Join with You in Thanking God ROCKFORD—Ervin M
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ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE OBSERVER Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 79 | No. 24 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014 Memorial Day May 26 Transitional Deacons Closer to Priesthood BY AMANDA HUDSON News Editor ‘We join with you in thanking God ROCKFORD—Ervin M. Caliente and John Paul McNa- for the gift of your (CNS le photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec) mara were ordained to the Sa- vocations ... .’ Pray for those who have cred Order of Deacon by Bish- served to their last breath. op David Malloy on May 17 at — Bishop David Malloy the Cathedral of St. Peter. secrated by the sacrament of Memorial Masses Bishop Malloy began his orders to the diaconate. For the pg. 10 homily by telling the seminar- Church, for us, for you, your ians that “All of us: you, your calling and vocation is God’s Inside brother deacons, the priests, gift. It is a gift to be prized, re- your bishop, your family and spected, purifi ed, protected and friends — all of us — have lived fully. It is a gift that will, come to a day that we have until you meet the Lord, defi ne hoped and truly prayed to God every moment and every breath that we might see.” of who you are.” (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) The bishop called for grati- Reviewing the questions the Bishop David Malloy ordains two men to the transitional diaconate, tude for that moment, saying, men soon would answer, Bish- St. Peter, Geneva, May 17, at St. Peter Cathedral in Rockford. They are John Paul McNa- “We join with you in thanking op Malloy refl ected briefl y on Names Hall for mara (left) and Ervin Caliente (right). It is one of the last steps on their God for the gift of your voca- each. Msgr. McLoughlin journey to the priesthood. tions that will shortly be con- Continued on page 5 pg. 3 Elizabeth Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Parish Church BY AMANDA HUDSON Father, with their bishop, their News Editor pastor and with each other “all comes together in the 100 years ELIZABETH—St. Mary pa- in this church,” he said. Aquin Dedicates rishioner Jan Thraen presented Calling the anniversary a a capsule version of the 100- Courtyard Gazebo in “wonderful opportunity for me year history of the parish be- to come to celebrate with you,” Memory of Graduate fore Mass May 18, and her con- Bishop Malloy called the build- pg. 8 densed presentation still took ing “a magnifi cent church” several minutes. with “beautiful architecture.” The parish, after all, has wel- With the sun shining through comed Catholics since it was its “magnifi cent” stained glass established as a mission in windows, he said, all of it pro- 1843, 171 years ago. vided “inspiration to all of us.” On May 18, it welcomed Speaking of how Catholics Bishop David Malloy for the “live in the long view of things” fi rst time, to celebrate the cen- and are “universal in time,” he tennial of the present church. Philip Tells Jesus’ said that “what is happening in In his homily, Bishop Mal- Elizabeth” today and through- Story in Samaria loy reminded everyone of the out its 171 years, is “all a part The Junior Observer, pg. 11 inheritance of faith, not only in of the greater gift of God that is Elizabeth, but throughout the the faith.” Quick News world and throughout the cen- Giving a brief run through of turies. the wars and societal changes DAC closed May 26 One of Jesus’ last prayers on over 100 years, he said that, Holy Thursday, he said, was The Diocesan Administation “in the midst of all those ups that his followers would stay Center in Rockford will be and downs … people needed a together. closed May 26 in honor of place to drink of the waters of “It’s a concrete prayer,” the (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) Memorial Day. It will reopen the Catholic faith,” and that the bishop said, “that is meant With a backdrop of a traditional altar and painted ceiling, Bishop David May 27. church was “an anchor for so (also) for you.” many in Elizabeth.” Malloy and several visiting priests celebrate Mass for the 100th anni- No Observer May 30 Remaining one with the Holy Continued on page 4 versary of St. Mary Parish church in Elizabeth. There will be no issue of The Observer May 30. The next paper will be June 6. Celebrate This Issue The Service Bishop Malloy ............................. 2 Headliners ..................................... 3 Diocese ....................................... 4-5 To God and Nation/World .......................... 6-7 Around the Diocese ...... 8-10, 19 The Junior Observer .............. 11 The Faithful of Jubilarians ........................... 12-19 Faith Forum ............................... 20 (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) Our Jubilarians Viewpoints ................................ 21 Diocesan priests exchange greetings at a Mass for the jubilarians among them. Fourteen diocesan priests For the Record ......................... 22 and many nuns who have worked in the diocese mark signi cant anniversaries this year. — pgs. 12-19 — Media/Arts .......................... 22-23 2 FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014 | The Observer Motto of Pope Francis’ Trip to the Holy Land The Observer (ISSN 0029- Fulfills Jesus’ Prayer ‘That All Might be One’ 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 his coming weekend, we with the Orthodox carried out by Pope St. see the image of God in all of our brothers Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax should join our thoughts and John Paul II during his pontificate, Pope and sisters. 815/399-6225. prayers to those of the whole Francis will make his own contribution to As part of the search for peace and Periodical postage paid at Church and the world as fulfill Jesus’ prayer on Holy Thursday, that religious understanding, the pope will also Rockford, Ill., and additional TPope Francis engages in an historic his followers might always be one. meet with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, mail offices. event. He will visit the Holy Land. We should also add our prayers to the one of the leaders of Islam in the Holy POSTMASTER: send address He will make this visit on the 50th efforts of the Holy Father to encourage the Land, as well as with the chief rabbis of changes to The Observer, 555 anniversary of the trip made by Pope Paul search for peace in the Middle East. Israel. He will also visit the president of the Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box VI in 1964. He has called for renewed efforts and state of Israel. 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 On that occasion, Pope Paul met with and negotiations between Israel and the Finally, the Holy Father will be present to For ADVERTISING information: embraced the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Palestinians. But very deep tensions the Catholic community of the Holy Land. Contact The Observer at the Patriarch. That broke the ice on 900 years continue to flow from the decision in 1948 address above or call 815/399- He will offer Mass in Manger Square, 4300; fax 815/399-6225, of tragic estrangement between those to create the state of Israel out of what was, where Jesus was born, in the Cenacle where E-mail: kmccarthy@ elements of the Church of Jesus Christ. at the time, simply Palestine. Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, and he rockforddiocese.org. In the United States, we really don’t Diplomatic efforts have been made, will visit the site venerated as the place Send NEWS information to The hear a great deal about the history of the on and off, for decades, trying to resolve where Jesus was baptized. Observer at the address or fax separation between Catholics and the questions like the recognition of the This element of the apostolic visit number above; send email to Orthodox, or about on-going efforts to heal existence of the state of Israel, the question Observer@rockforddiocese. reminds us of the very human roots of our that breach. But that meeting 50 years ago of land rights and settlements, as well org; or fill out a form at faith. The Christians and Catholics in the http://observer.rockforddiocese. was so important for building unity in the as the high level of poverty among the org/contact-us. Church that Pope Francis will meet with Palestinians. Holy Land are a linkage to our spiritual the Ecumenical Patriarch again on this trip, Efforts to build a lasting peace are further ancestors, the first to hear the message of Subscription rate $28.00 per year (48 issues); Canadian using the same room where the meeting complicated by the fact that Israel borders Jesus and to have known him in the flesh. This week, I hope you will join me in and Pan American $29; other took place a half a century ago. on the country of Syria, which dominates foreign: surface mail $37, air Here then is a first intention for our as well Lebanon, another neighbor to Israel. praying for the safety of Pope Francis. mail $97; single copies $1. Papal travel is always a complicated prayers; the unity of the Church. The pope is also going to visit a refugee The Observer Online digital For every apostolic visit by the pope a camp while in neighboring Jordan. We can endeavor. But as we know, the Holy Father subscriptions are also available. theme and a logo is chosen to highlight the expect the Holy Father to continue to direct prizes personal contact with the faithful, most important point.