ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 82 | No. 10 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY APRIL 28, 2017 Inside Diocesan Appeal Pledge Weekend May 6-7 2017 Diocesan Appeal Learn more about this year’s appeal to support diocesan ministries. pages 19-21 Retirement, New Position Lead to Changes In the Diocesan Educational Services Office Four-decade veteran says (Observer screen grabs) good-bye while two join This year’s Diocesan Appeal videos highlight the education office. annual Youth Summit (above), priest formation page 3 (right) and assistance to the needy and refugees (far right) and other Rockford Diocesean ministries funded by donations to the annual appeal. In English, Spanish and Polish, the videos are available online at www.rockforddiocese. org/charitablegiving. Schools Strategic Planning Process Annual Diocesan Appeal Will Soon Move to Work Groups Into the second year, the diocesan examination of its Helps Fund Many Ministries schools will move to focus on potential changes. BY AMANDA HUDSON “Knowing that Christ is part of the very page 6 News Editor articipating in the 2017 fabric of our lives also compels us to reach out to others with our time, talent and re- DIOCESE—The 2017 Diocesan Appeal Diocesan Appeal is a ‘P sources,” Bishop Malloy says in the appeal will be announced this weekend of April powerful way to make sure brochure. The efforts made by diocesan of- 29-30 at Masses across the Diocese of fices, he adds, “bring the faith to others in Rockford. the larger family of your one form or another on your behalf.” The pledge weekend is set for May 6-7. The holy practice of stewardship recom- This year’s theme is: “The Lord is With Church carries on the work of mends that Catholics donate one percent Us.” of their income in support of their diocese. What is the Diocesan Appeal? It is an Jesus.’ A process allowing participants to donate annual call to Catholics in the diocese to — Bishop David Malloy their pledge over the course of the year Jesus Gives Sight to support the work of the diocese beyond and in support of individual parishes and makes giving easier for many. The pledge weekend provides handy a Man Born Blind parishioners. ian education, lay ministry formation, tools for parishioners to use in determin- The Junior Observer, page 29 Much of what happens in a parish — college campus ministry, religious educa- from educating pastors and associates, to tion, youth ministry and evangelization ing and signing up for those pledges. training lay ministers and catechists, to as well as for specialized ministries such An optional process for easy and offering support for parish staffs — is made as the Deaf Apostolate Ministry, Office of secure giving is provided online at: www. This Issue possible through the work of diocesan- the Permanent Diaconate, Catholic Chari- rockforddiocese.org/donate. Additional level services. ties and St. Elizabeth Catholic Community information is available at that website as Bishop Malloy ............................. 2 The Diocesan Appeal is all about serving Center. well. Headliners ..................................... 3 families, strengthening marriages, form- Tiny offices including the Office of- Di “Participating in the 2017 Diocesan Ap- Diocesan ................................. 4-25 ing priests and empowering youth, says the ocesan Ethicist and the Office of Research peal is a powerful way to make sure the Around the Diocese ......... 26-28 2017 brochure explaining the pledge. and Planning also accomplish their impor- larger family of your Church carries on The Junior Observer .............. 29 In addition to the nuts-and-bolts needs tant work through the annual appeal. the work of Jesus,” Bishop Malloy says. Media/Arts ................................. 30 provided by offices such as the Vicar for Even transportation costs necessary for “Thank you for your generosity to (the ap- Nation/World .............. 31, 33-35 Clergy and Religious, Accounting, Tribu- Bishop David Malloy to bring the sacra- peal) and for your help in sharing the good Our Catholic View ..............36-37 nal, Information Technology and the like, ment of confirmation to parish youths news that the Lord is indeed with us in this For the Record ......................... 38 this appeal provides funding for seminar- across the diocese comes from this appeal. world and the next.” 2 | FRIDAY APRIL 28, 2017 | The Observer Annual Appeal Theme Reminds Us The Observer (ISSN 0029- Our Generosity is With and For Christ 7739), is published weekly, except fi ve times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, n the weeks after Easter, the were “of one mind and heart” (Acts Aurora. Our St. Elizabeth Catholic 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Church annually looks at the 4:32). And this was lived out in Community Center in Rockford Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 Scripture passages describing personal charity but also in earthly hosts programs for children as well Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax the early life of the Church. generosity. They cared for the poor as clothing and food distributions. 815/399-6225. ICombined with the extra-Biblical so that “There was no needy person The appeal strengthens our work Periodical postage paid at records and sources, we can answer among them” (Acts 4:34). in one of the areas of greatest need Rockford, Ill., and additional the question, how did those fi rst The life of the early Church in the Church and our society of mail offi ces. disciples live out their new faith in was not an anomaly that soon BY BISHOP our day. That is, the strengthening POSTMASTER: send address Jesus? disappeared. It set the framework of families and marriage through changes to The Observer, 555 DAVID J. We are told that, “they devoted and the tone for the life of the Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box MALLOY the work of our Life and Family themselves to the teaching of the Church today. Our gathering at Evangelization Offi ce. That same 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 Apostles and to the communal life, Mass, our study of the teaching of offi ce arranges visible and popular For ADVERTISING information: his year, to the breaking of the bread and to the Church and our common support outreach among our young people Contact The Observer at the the prayers.” (Acts 2:42). for each other are signs of the Jesus address above or call 815/399- the including the Youth Summit and the 4300; fax 815/399-6225, T Through the teaching of the among us today. trip to Washington to participate in theme of Apostles, the faithful refl ected upon So too has the generosity of the Email: kmccarthy@ the annual March for Life. rockforddiocese.org. the Appeal the words of Jesus as well as His Church, both to the poor and to the The appeal also contributes to deeds. The Apostles, those closest to Send NEWS information to The is “The Lord mission of spreading the Gospel the passing on of our Catholic faith Jesus and trained by Him, laid the been a constant reality in every Observer at the address or fax through the work of our Catholic number above; send email to is With Us.” groundwork for the refl ection on and age. As I complete my fi fth year as Education Offi ce. Your contributions Observer@rockforddiocese. That phrase implementation of the life of Jesus Bishop of Rockford, I am constantly help us to strengthen our Catholic org; or fi ll out a form at for the Church. reminded of the generosity here at reminds schools and religious education http://observer.rockforddiocese. The followers of Jesus led a home. org/contact-us. us that our programs, as well as providing “communal” life. They saw that Each year at this time, in the for on-going training in faith and Subscription rate $28.00 per faith and Jesus called His followers not to be Diocese of Rockford, we undertake year (48 issues); Canadian excellence for our principals, especially individual believers who happened the annual Diocesan Appeal. And and Pan American $29; other our to associate with each other. each year, the Catholic faithful teachers, and catechists. foreign: surface mail $37, air I would not want to fail to mention mail $97; single copies $1. generosity Rather, we are called to be the give generously and participate in Church, God’s Holy People. We assisting the poor and the mission the help that your donations give The Observer Online digital is done with need to be together to live that of the diocese. Thanks to each and to assist the formation of the next subscriptions are also available. Christ and reality and to draw and off er support every one who has contributed in generation of priests. The excellent Publisher: for Him. to confront life’s challenges to faith. the past. training given to our seminarians, Most Reverend David J. Malloy At the heart of that new life were This year, the theme of the Appeal underwritten by such donations, will Editor: Penny Wiegert bear great fruit in the years to come. the prayers and the Mass. We are is “The Lord is With Us.” That News Editor: Amanda Hudson told that the early Church continued phrase reminds us that our faith and Yes, Christ is with us. And we, for the Jewish practice of prayers in the especially our generosity is done our part continue the work of Easter, Features and Multimedia Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld temple, but they lived a new reality. with Christ and for Him. the work begun by the early Church That was to gather each Sunday, the Your contributions help to feed after Christ’s ascension.