Rockford Observer

ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 83 | No. 15 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY MARCH 16, 2018 (Photos provided) Oils Readied for Chrism Mass On March 8, the staff of St. Peter Parish in Geneva, led by Father Jonathan Bakkelund (second from left in photo at right), pastor, organized an assembly line to fill hundreds of bottles with holy oils and pack- age them in boxes. Bishop David Malloy will bless the oils at the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, March 29, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. Representa- tives from the parishes in the Rockford Diocese at- tend the Mass to receive the oils that will be used for baptisms, confirmations and the blessing of the sick during the next year. Parish staff who worked on the project are (not in order) Father Ariel Valencia, paro- chial vicar; Marty Arnold, Melinda Bernhard, Nicole Billapando, Laurie Brown, Mary Cannizzaro, Colette McKenna, Lisa O’Leary Volk, Mike Severson, Kathy Soeder, Tina Trch, Isaac Weickert and Lynn Wilson. Father Bakkelund organized the task because he also serves as director of the Office of Divine Wor- ship and diocesan master of ceremonies. Clinic Marks 30 Years of Helping Moms BY PAT SZPEKOWSKI plank-like” floors, coastal artwork, and Observer Correspondent light-filled rooms. What sets Corbella apart is its confi- SOUTH ELGIN—Peace embodies dential assistance with free medical and the atmosphere and care at the Corbella support services. Two registered nurses Clinic here. Formerly known as the Fox on staff, Cathy Anderson and Trisha Valley Pregnancy Center, its new name Kopeck, provide services, such as preg- launched last year, corbella, means nancy testing, pregnancy verification, “beautiful heart.” ultasounds, infection and disease test- “This is a place where women and ing and treatment, and medical and couples make lifetime decisions when options counseling. They also provide facing unexpected pregnancies,” said adoption information and post-abortion Kathy Hopkinson, board chair. “It is (Observer photos/Dan Szpekowski) counseling and support. very traumatic for women. We are a The Corbella Clinic in South Elgin is led by a team of board members and staff, who are In addition to its staff, Corbella relies beacon of hope and want them to expe- members of parishes in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles, including Vice Chair John Hamill on many volunteers, including Dr. Craig rience love.” of St. Patrick; Chair Kathy Hopkinson of St. Patrick; Executive Director Jeanna Desideri of Nasralla, medical director and a radiol- Holy Cross; Secretary Kathy Rizzo of St. Peter; and Treasurer Fred Karl of St. Patrick. Jeanna Desideri, the clinic’s executive ogist at Delnor Hospital in St. Charles. director, adds, “All women are abortion- He opened the medical clinic operations vulnerable. Our clients aren’t all young, come from Aurora, St. Charles, Geneva, for life and for the safe and healthy births at Corbella in 2010 and reads every cli- poor, and single. Many married couples Elgin, Carpentersville, and Algonquin. of their babies. All services are offered in ent’s ultrasound. come to Corbella and choose life. We More than 2,000 clients visit annually English and Spanish. Anderson, an eight-year staffer, said want women to thrive.” to receive compassionate guidance and When clients walk in to the clinic, “When a client sees their baby on an Celebrating its 30th anniversary this life-affirming services. they are in for a surprise. The refreshed ultrasound and finds out that a baby’s year, the clinic serves Fox Valley area With gentle and non-judgmental coun- indoors has been transformed with heart starts beating after three weeks, women of all faiths, age 14 to 40. Clients seling, clients are able to make a choice soothing blue walls, light vinyl “wood Continued on page 5 This Issue Inside Bishop Malloy ....................... 2 Eric Groth: ‘Real Miracles Clear Way for Headliners ............................... 3 Young Observer ................... 4 Important to Sainthood of Pope Paul VI, Diocesan .................................. 5 Tell the Story of Archbishop Romero Around the Diocese ........ 8-9 God’s Mercy’ October date Ashes to Ashes .............. 10-11 St. Charles producer Prepare for God’s Mercy set for pope; Our Catholic View ....... 12-13 talks about the film, archbishop’s to Get ready for Be Reconciled Day with a For the Record .................... 14 “Paul, Apostle of be later. confession guide in Ashes to Ashes. Media/Arts ............................ 15 Christ.” page 16 Nation/World ...................... 16 page 3 page 11 2 | FRIDAY MARCH 16, 2018 | The Observer Make the Choice of Peter: The Observer (ISSN 0029- 7739), is published weekly, Come to Be Reconciled except fi ve times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. his magnifi cent season by a kiss, the normal indication of Each of us has the same Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 of Lent is a time of love and respect. fundamental choice to make. Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax repentance. We are Still there is something in Judas Because we are all sinners, the 815/399-6225. called to intensify our that even at that late moment was choice is to leave our sins behind Periodical postage paid at Tlife-long project of seeking to live not yet lost. After watching Jesus and turn back to Jesus, or not. We Rockford, Ill., and additional according to God’s will. being beaten and then condemned too, are invited to seek renewed mail offi ces. To do so we must ask for His to death, Judas’ conscience peace for our souls. POSTMASTER: send address changes to The Observer, 555 BY BISHOP pardon for the times when we protests. He returns to the chief This coming Wednesday, have not done so. priests and elders repenting of throughout the Diocese of Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box DAVID J. 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 MALLOY Lent is so necessary precisely his betrayal, returning the blood Rockford, we will celebrate, for because in our brokenness it money and confessing his sin. the fi fth consecutive year, Be For ADVERTISING information: Contact at the is diffi cult to acknowledge and But something is still missing. Reconciled Day. From 9 a.m. The Observer address above or call 815/399- till, it is to renounce our sins. Still, it is Judas does not have the trust to to 8 p.m. confessions will be 4300; fax 815/399-6225, Spossible possible to fi nd once more the turn back to Jesus. Perhaps he heard continually in our parish Email: kmccarthy@ to nd once peace and pardon that comes is too ashamed. Maybe he feels churches. (Check your local rockforddiocese.org. from changing our hearts and his sin is too great. For whatever parish or http://be-reconciled. Send NEWS information to The more the receiving God’s forgiveness. reason, sin devours his hope and rockforddiocese.org for precise Observer at the address or fax peace and We are given a vivid example he hangs himself in despair. times and details.) number above; send email to pardon that of the struggle to give our lives Peter of course is also an The presence of our priests Observer@rockforddiocese. to Jesus in the Gospel accounts Apostle. He has also spent time hearing confessions throughout org; or fi ll out a form at comes from http://observer.rockforddiocese. of Holy Thursday night. We fi nd with His Lord as the Gospels the day is so that it is easier for org/contact-us. changing that illustrated in the contrast amply tell us. His love for Jesus you to make the choice of Peter Subscription rate $28.00 per our hearts between Peter and Judas. is real. But as we know, at the this Lent. Each of us should bring year (48 issues); Canadian and Judas was of course one of critical moment, perhaps out our conscience to Christ, turning and Pan American $29; other receiving the 12 chosen Apostles. He of fear, perhaps out of his own back to Him through a good foreign: surface mail $37, air God’s along with the others walked lack of complete trust, Peter confession. The priests will be mail $97; single copies $1. the hills of Galilee with Jesus denies that he even knows or has waiting and I personally invite The Observer Online digital forgiveness. and spent countless private met Jesus. Like Judas, he fi nds you to come to a parish near you. subscriptions are also available. hours at His side. However, for himself standing apart from The mercy of God invites us, Publisher: whatever reason fl owing from Christ. like Peter, to change our hearts Most Reverend David J. Malloy the mysterium iniquitatis (the Peter’s conscience, like that and weep for our sins. Then we Editor: Penny Wiegert mystery of evil), Judas had not of Judas, protests. But here is can present them to Christ. On News Editor: Amanda Hudson given his life to Jesus and His the diff erence. Peter directs his Wednesday, come back to Christ, love. He had allowed sin to keep conscience to the One who can especially if it has been many Features and Multimedia Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld him apart from that love. forgive, who can heal him and years since your last confession. At the critical moment, Judas ultimately give him back the Let this Lent be the time Circulation/Proofreading: Susan Sabrowski, Keith betrays the Son of God. He takes peace lost by sin. His tears fl ow to seek that peace and that Ludolph money for the life of Jesus and and he resolves to turn back to freedom from guilt.

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