ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 83 | No. 20 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2018 Kick-off Weekend April 28-29 Love Focus of Diocesan Appeal BY AMANDA HUDSON News Editor DIOCESE—“Love One Another” is this year’s theme for the 2018 Rockford Diocese Annual Appeal. Ministries supported by the Diocesan Appeal include Catholic education pro- vided through Catholic schools, religious education programs and adult forma- tion. That includes the diocesan-wide Ministry Formation Program, which has educated and certified 1,380 lay men and women over the years to serve in their parishes with greater effectiveness. Education of seminarians is essential to the future of our diocese; that educa- tion and formation is made possible by this appeal. Classes of permanent dia- conate candidates also are taught and formed through a multi-year program provided at the diocesan level. Laity of all ages benefit from programs (Observer photo/Amanda Hudson) offered through diocesan offices such as Staff members Susan Joseph (left), Courtney Rippon, and director of the Office of Charitable Giving, Denise Dobrowolski, share a marriage preparation provided by the lighter moment as they package parish materials for the annual Diocesan Appeal. The annual request for ministry support begins the Life and Family Evangelization Office, weekend of April 28-29 in the Rockford Diocese. which also oversees the annual Youth need extra assistance. try Formation gradu- Summit for young people in the diocese. Learn More about the Appeal College campus ministry receives From the Long Term ate Carla Odahowski, funding from the diocese along with Care Ombudsman Of- Inside this issue, find an overview of the many ways money raised and SPRED program smaller ministries such as the Deaf fice to Adolescent Out- through this annual appeal is used to benefit the diocese, its parishes, advocate Karen Brad- individual Catholics and their communities. Apostolate. The diocese also helps sup- reach to Refugee Re- shaw-Zagorski. pages 19-21 port SPRED (Special Religious Devel- settlement and more, “With your help, the Catholic Charities as- opment) ministries in a growing num- Rockford Diocese can ber of parishes. sists our neighbors in Diocese of Rockford that supports its continue to share the love of (Jesus’) Sa- Efforts to share the love of Jesus with our pews and in our neighborhoods. parishes and communities. Those fea- cred Heart,” says Bishop Malloy in his others are found in significant, hands- English and Spanish videos about tured include Bishop of Rockford Da- on ministries provided by the diocesan the diocesan appeal will be shown at vid Malloy, Father Richard Rosinski appeal letter, “and shine His light into Catholic Charities Office, which serves parishes the weekend of April 28-29. It of Elgin in English and Father William the world.” everyday people as well as those who will highlight some of the work of the Vallejo of Rockford in Spanish, Minis- Info: www.rockforddiocese.org/donate This Issue Inside Bishop Malloy ....................... 2 Personal Visits Help Millennials Present Millennials Seminarian Helps Put Apostolic Exhortation Guide Seminarians Poor Clares Online ......................................2, 25-27 Four young adults share ways to reach their peers. Headliners ............................... 3 Both the bishop and vocations director Jack Reichardt practices web design skills pages 11-12 Diocesan ............................ 4-18 take time to see how our priests-in- he started to hone at Boylan Central Annual Appeal ............. 19-21 training are doing. Freezing on the Catholic High School. pages 4-5 Around the Diocese ... 22-24 Outside, Fire page 18 Nation/World ............... 28-30 Art in Our Churches on the Inside Playing St. Paul Media/Arts .................... 31, 33 The decorations in Catholic churches are Sister Linda Koontz More than a ‘Gig’ The Junior Observer ......... 34 more than just something to make the speaks of the fire of the British actor James Our Catholic View ....... 35-37 spaces pretty. First in a series. Holy Spirit at Catholic Faulkner talks of his page 6 For the Record .................... 38 Charismatic Day of preparation, rewards From Feeding Renewal in Rochelle for playing “Paul, Quick News Bodies To April 14. Apostle of Christ.” page 14 Feeding Souls page 33 Go Golfing on Us Father “Chef John” Elgin Women Invited to Help Peter has Vision, Win two golf passes and McNamara takes an With Mother’s Day Gift Packing Baptizes Gentiles a cart to use at a Rockford unusual path to the Elgin Deanery Council of Catholic Women St. Peter has a dream. What does it tell Park District course in The priesthood. are preparing gift baskets for women in him to do? Observer’s spring give-away. pages 8-9 need. The Junior Observer, page 34 page 39 page 16 2 | FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2018 | The Observer Annual Appeal Funds our The Observer (ISSN 0029- 7739), is published weekly, Ministry to Ful ll the Gospel except fi ve times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. n the Gospel of John Jesus seek out opportunities to love religious education programs. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 told His disciples, and told others in imitation of how Christ Through those gifts teachers Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax us, to “Love one another” loves us. That is His direct are trained, administrators 815/399-6225. (Jn 13:34). command. And our response can supported, and most importantly, Periodical postage paid at I The Lord spoke those words take many forms. our young people are taught their Rockford, Ill., and additional on Holy Thursday night before It should begin in our families Catholic faith. mail offi ces. leaving the supper room to walk and with those closest to us in The Diocesan Appeal funds our POSTMASTER: send address BY BISHOP to the Garden of Gethsemane. this life. We should off er others eff orts to foster and support the changes to The Observer, 555 DAVID J. There, as we know, Jesus would a share in our faith as well as family and especially the heart of Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 MALLOY show the world for all time the lived acts of kindness, patience, the family — marriage. meaning of loving others. forgiveness and sacrifi ce. Through marriage preparation For ADVERTISING information: With this in mind we take We need then to be seeking and programs to honor and Contact The Observer at the e can to heart Jesus’ next words that further opportunities to love assist married couples, we work address above or call 815/399- completed His instruction to others in the world. Jesus has to strengthen this foundational 4300; fax 815/399-6225, bring Email: kmccarthy@ W those who believe in Him. given us the particular example of relationship of faith and life. our faith to rockforddiocese.org. He said, “As I have loved you, loving the poor, the needy and the Your contributions show your Send information to those who so you also should love one stranger. love for the poor by assisting NEWS The Observer at the address or fax do not know another. This is how all will We can bring our faith to those Catholic Charities in a wide array number above; send email to Jesus or know that you are my disciples, who do not know Jesus or those of works. You also support our Observer@rockforddiocese. those who, if you have love for one another.” who, for some reason, have lost seminarians and our eff orts to org; or fi ll out a form at (Jn 34-35). faith. Our presence with the promote vocational awareness http://observer.rockforddiocese. for some These words of Jesus are lonely, the aged or the imprisoned and discernment leading to the org/contact-us. reason, have purifying and liberating. In is what Jesus tells us constitutes next generation of priests. Subscription rate $28.00 per lost faith. modern society, love is often the lived faith He seeks in us. In short, the Diocesan Appeal year (48 issues); Canadian reduced to a feeling, an emotion This week we will introduce is a concrete and assured means and Pan American $29; other foreign: surface mail $37, air that we seek but do not control. once more the means by which of living our Catholic faith. It is a mail $97; single copies $1. Consequently, what we are told the Diocese of Rockford invites way to spread our love for others. is love comes and goes. And we us to share our faith and Christ’s I am always deeply grateful for The Observer Online digital subscriptions are also available. feel the underlying heartache and love with others. We will begin the generosity of the faithful of Publisher: mistrust generated by love that is the 2018 Diocesan Appeal. the Diocese of Rockford. I ask, if Most Reverend David J. Malloy not real, not enduring. Its theme is the command of you can, to be generous again this Penny Wiegert In contrast, the love that Jesus Jesus — Love One Another. year. If you haven’t given before, Editor: calls us to is deep and eternal. I take this opportunity to invite can you begin this year? If you News Editor: Amanda Hudson We are to share His love by fi rst you to join me in my ministry have been a regular contributor, Features and Multimedia receiving it for ourselves, then as Bishop of the Diocese of could you be even more generous Editor: Sharon Boehlefeld extending it to others. Rockford and our collective this time? Circulation/Proofreading: Instead of diminishing our eff orts to off er that love. Whatever you can prayerfully Susan Sabrowski, Keith nature, this love makes us more Your generous contribution contribute is a great blessing, and Ludolph like Christ.