Rockford Observer
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ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 83 | No. 21 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018 Parish representatives take part in discussions at a Rockford Diocese gathering, April 28 at St. Monica in Carpen- tersville. The meeting of about 200 people in- cluded clergy, religious and lay people prepar- ing for the National V Encuentro (Fifth Meet- ing) of the Hispanic Catholic community in the United States. The bi-lingual logo for the September session in Texas is below. (Observer photos/Margarita Mendoza) Diocese Prepares for V Encuentro BY MARGARITA MENDOZA ing — of the U.S. Catholic Church’s Ana Wilson and César Quiroz from his also talked of the importance of attend- El Observador Editor Hispanic community is to be held Sept. diocese, along with Father Javier Bus- ing Mass, especially on Sundays or Sat- 20-23 in Grapevine, Texas. tos, Vicar General of the Archdiocese urday vigils, and during the week. CARPENTERSVILLE—A room full The goal of the V Encuentro is to of Milwaukee, and Deacon Jorge Bena- “I hope we can transmit to the young of people at St. Monica Parish here are “see the past, present and where we are vente, director of the Hispanic Ministry people the Catholic faith ... What can among those who know what the V En- going.” explained Carlos Hernandez, in that archdiocese, guided the Carpen- we do to make our young people par- cuentro is about. director of Hispanic Ministry in the tersville event. ticipate more in our schools? How can They gathered as part of the Rock- Diocese of Green About 200 people from parishes and we evangelize our young people to the groups in the Rockford Diocese ex- ford Diocese’s preparation for a national See related Bay. beauty of the family, of marriage?” event scheduled this fall in Texas. story on page 5. Hernandez and pressed their ideas about the strengths, The bishop also asked the attendees The V Encuentro — or Fifth Meet- a group, including weaknesses, and desires of the Hispanic to think about “What can we do so the community in the Hispanic Catholic community in our di- hope local Church. ocese gives us more of their children for Preparation be- the seminary, to follow the call of the ‘I we can gan at the micro Holy Spirit to the priesthood? What can level — the par- we do to motivate more our families and transmit to ishes — and aims our youth?” the young to reach the macro Green Bay’s Quiroz said of the grow- level at the nation- ing Hispanic Community in the United people the al V Encuentro. States, “Now we are a lot, and we want Bishop David to be a host. What are we going to give Catholic Malloy opened to the Church? We need to sit down to the event, stress- think about recommendations.” faith.’ ing the impor- Msgr. Arquimedes Vallejo, Vicar for Bishop David Malloy opens the Rockford Diocese V Encuentro (Fifth Meeting) preparation — Bishop David tance of passing Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of session in Carpentersville. Fluent in Spanish, he spoke to participants in that language. Malloy the faith to new Rockford and pastor of Sacred Heart Nearly half of all Catholics at Masses in diocesan parishes are of Hispanic heritage. generations. He Continued on page 4 This Issue Inside Bishop Malloy ....................... 2 Parish Support for New Rockford Caritas Luncheon Headliners ............................... 3 School Grows: 3 to 4 to 8 Faces into History Diocesan ....................... 4-5, 16 Rockford joins Aurora in planning a new multi- Catholic Charities Auxiliary is Seasoned Observer ............. 6 parish school. St. James (left) is to be home of the no longer able to manage its Around the Diocese ........ 7-9 school, which will invite all students from eight annual spring luncheon. Board Nation/World ............... 10-11 parishes and four schools — Cathedral of St. members are looking for less Our Catholic View ....... 12-13 Peter, St. Bernadette, St. Edward and St. James — labor-intensive fundraisers For the Record .................... 14 in the 2019-20 school year. Prekindergarten and kindergarten students may enroll now for the and more help. Media/Arts ............................ 15 2018-19 school year. page 3 page 16 2 | FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018 | The Observer Pray, Honor the Mary Month of May The Observer (ISSN 0029- he month of May means for us as our mother mean that of the Greeks and Roman and the 7739), is published weekly, that our long wait for we cannot reduce our devotion Christian faithful by decorating except fi ve times a year by spring and warmer to her to a simply emotional it during this month with signs of the Diocese of Rockford, weather is fi nally over. acknowledgement. spring such as fl owers or green 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. TBut the month of May has another It is one of the dangers to our sprigs from the garden? Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax traditionally Catholic component. faith that we simply hold for Mary The eff ort to arrange the fl owers 815/399-6225. May is a month with particular warm memories and thoughts, as will itself remind us of love for dedication to Mary. In some ways, Periodical postage paid at BY BISHOP if for our departed grandmother. Mary. And walking past such a Rockford, Ill., and additional DAVID J. the two are connected. For some, there is a concern spring shrine throughout the day mail offi ces. Historically, going back even that devotion to Mary can even will likewise turn our thoughts to MALLOY POSTMASTER: send address to the Greeks and the Romans, be a distraction from Christ. her. changes to The Observer, 555 the late spring was celebrated Some non-Catholics have long Of course we should be saying Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box s we for the signs of new life. Then as suggested that the Catholic the rosary daily throughout the 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 Aknow, a now, the greening of previously veneration of Mary mistakenly year. But what a positive infl uence For ADVERTISING information: healthly and brown grass and bushes and equates her dignity with that of for individuals and the family it Contact The Observer at the address above or call 815/399- a balanced the appearance of fl owers after God Himself. would be to turn off the television the melting of the snow was a As we know, a healthy and for a brief while in order to pray 4300; fax 815/399-6225, honor of reminder of the fecundity of Email: kmccarthy@ balanced honor of Mary cannot the rosary each day of May. rockforddiocese.org. Mary cannot creation. This seems to have been confl ict with adoration of God At Fatima, Mary told the three the natural impulse to associate or with our love for Christ. May, children — and through them Send NEWS information to The con ict with Observer at the address or fax adoration of those thoughts with the Christian then, is an excellent time to “ramp the world — that the rosary is a number above; send email to God or with appreciation of Mary and the new up” our lived devotion to Mary. powerful contributor to holiness Observer@rockforddiocese. life that she bore for the world. In that way we fulfi ll, with St. and to the conversion of sinners. org; or fi ll out a form at our love for This pious practice of honoring John, the words of Jesus from the In many parishes, the church http://observer.rockforddiocese. Christ. Mary in the spring was further cross, “Behold your mother.” makes special eff orts to adorn the org/contact-us. formalized at the end of the 18th (Jn 19:27) statue of Mary. And particular Subscription rate $28.00 per century. At that time, in Rome, How might we make May a devotions, such as the May year (48 issues); Canadian the Jesuit fathers were concerned and Pan American $29; other special month for our mother? crowning. are popular seasonal foreign: surface mail $37, air about the immorality lived by Why not begin with a “walk displays of love and aff ection for mail $97; single copies $1. some of the students at their through” in your house or Mary. The Observer Online digital college there. apartment? Our Lord has given Mary subscriptions are also available. To meet this challenge, May Are there any indications a very special role in the life Publisher: was dedicated as a special month of love for Mary such as the and salvation of each one of us. Most Reverend David J. Malloy of devotion to Mary. From presence of a picture prominently Salvation comes from Christ and Editor: Penny Wiegert there the association of Mary hung, or a statue to remind us of Him alone. But Mary points the Amanda Hudson and the month of May became her presence? If not, this would be way to her Son, so use this month News Editor: widespread. a great time to address that lack. to thank the Mother of God and to Features and Multimedia The role of Mary in the plan If there is such a holy image, give her her rightful place in your Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld of salvation and her intercession why not incorporate the intuition life and prayer. Circulation/Proofreading: Susan Sabrowski, Keith Ludolph Accounting: Jill Bonk Advertising and Marketing: Baptism Unites Us in God’s Church Kevin McCarthy Production and Web From the General Audience, St. Peter’s Square, to serve the Lord with joy and For this reason, the path of Administrator: Gary Haughton April 25 newness of life.