ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 85 | No. 16 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 Stay updated For the latest information on how virus, bookmark the diocesan website the Rockford Diocese is responding at https://www.rockforddiocese.org/ the threats of COVID-19 corona- and look for this banner there (left). Holy Week Alone: A Cross We Bear Under the threat of COVID-19 spreading, Bishop Malloy and Pope Francis cancel public Holy Week services. BY OBSERVER STAFF DIOCESE—As orders from the federal and state governments changed al- most daily, Bishop David Malloy of the Rockford Diocese, changed his guid- ance to parishes to comply. Both he and Pope Francis have cancelled public Holy Week services. In a letter he sent March 20 to priests of the diocese he explained changes through Holy Week. It reads, in part: I write to you once more given more guidance that has come to us about how to respond to the coronavirus outbreak and its rapid spread. (Observer screen grab) At this time, health authorities have an- Bishop David Malloy offers Mass for the 4th Sunday of Lent live tinue the practice through the Illinois Stay at Home orders. As of nounced the need for a strict limit of ten online at the diocesan website and on Facebook. He plans to con- this printing, the order extends until April 7. persons maximum for any gathering. ... Given this guidance, all parish ful for the time being. Do not gather an priests except for the cathedral rector ing present. Priests should do the same churches are to adhere to this limit at informal group for a private Mass as we and masters of ceremonies. ... The oils at the time chosen for the parish, again all times. ... Please note, as previously seek to limit the spread of the virus. will be blessed and held for subsequent with no faithful present. indicated, the distribution of holy Com- In addition, the Congregation for Di- distribution when possible. No other gatherings of any sort will munion and the administration of the vine Worship and the Discipline of the Holy Thursday: I will celebrate the be celebrated such as Stations of the sacrament of the sick should be only for Sacraments has today issued instructions Mass of the Lord’s Supper again with Cross or any sort of distribution of the emergency situations at this time fol- for celebration of Holy Week. ... Please Msgr. Nelson, Father (Stephen) St. Jules sacraments except in the case of an in- lowing the guidance of the health au- note that the Congregation stresses that and masters of ceremonies. It will be live- dividual emergency. thorities. That means any other efforts, the celebrations should take place only streamed from the cathedral at 7 p.m. The Easter Vigil: Again I will cele- including proposals for communion for in the cathedral or parish churches, not Priests are given the faculty to cel- brate the Vigil Mass in the manner out- people in cars should not be utilized. in rectory chapels or other venues. Given ebrate this Mass in the parish church lined by the Congregation at St. Peter Please observe that directive strictly this guidance, the Diocese of Rockford without the presence of the faithful. Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. and ask your faithful to make a spiritual will respond as follows: That condition is to be observed. Priests are again given the exception- union at this time when physical partici- The Chrism Mass: The Chrism I would urge where possible that your al faculty to celebrate this Mass without pation is not possible. Mass for the Diocese of Rockford will faithful be given the opportunity to fol- the people and that is to be observed. ... As noted previously, no public Mass- be celebrated as originally scheduled on low the liturgy by some element of live- Again, brothers, I stress the urgency es on weekdays or Sundays are to be Holy Thursday at 11 a.m. from St. Peter streaming. Only one Mass is to be cel- of following the directives contained celebrated until further notice. While Cathedral Parish. I will celebrate this ebrated by all the priests of the parish. here as a response to the health emer- priests are to celebrate Mass privately Mass along with Msgr. Glenn Nelson as Good Friday: Under the same con- gency we are facing. At the same time, daily, especially in the current situa- Vicar General. ditions outlined above, I will celebrate in a way different than any of us has tion of great spiritual need, this must be The Mass will be live-streamed with- the Good Friday liturgy at St. Peter Ca- ever experienced, we need to enter done without the presence of the faith- out the presence of other faithful or thedral at 2 p.m. without the faithful be- Continued on page 4 This Issue Quick News Inside Bishop Malloy ....................... 2 Read The Observer Online Free Altar Stones Bring Headliners ............................... 3 Around the Diocese ............ 4 The Observer has dropped its paywall until Saintly Remains The Junior Observer ........... 6 further notice. Anyone in the Rockford to Churches Diocesan ................................. 6 Diocese may read it free at http:// Gary Bakkelund seals Ashes to Ashes ...................... 7 observertoo.rockforddiocese.org/. the altar stone into Our Catholic View ............ 8-9 We will continue to publish our print place in the altar at For the Record .................... 10 St. James Church in edition for paid subscribers who have Media/Arts ............................ 10 Belvidere opted to receive it. Nation/World ...................... 11 page 3 (Observer photo/Amanda Hudson) 2 | FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 | The Observer This is the Time to Deepen The Observer (ISSN 0029- 7739), is published weekly, Your Love For Christ except fi ve times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, he Lent of 2020 is one calls us to look at this challenge Mass as often as we are able to 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. we will never forget. In and indeed at the whole of life attend. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 the midst of our 40 days with the eyes of Christ Himself. Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax A moment like this, with the 815/399-6225. of chosen penances and He has told us that He is with us unavailability of the sacraments, Periodical postage paid at Textra prayers, God has allowed always, even to the end of the age gives us a chance to refl ect Rockford, Ill., and additional into the world and into our (Mt. 28:8). He has said, “I will not deeply. Have I taken Mass, Holy mail offi ces. midst the physical and spiritual leave you orphans” (Jn 14:18). Communion or confession for send address challenge of the coronavirus. POSTMASTER: BY BISHOP Our task at this moment is granted? This can be a moment, changes to The Observer, 555 DAVID J. Because of that virus, for the to live that conviction. We are like Lenten fasting, to deepen my Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box MALLOY fi rst time in generations, many people of faith and people of hope. love and appreciation for these 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 are faced with very fundamental And we truly trust that even in gifts. For ADVERTISING information: questions about life. How could the face of this unseen aggressor, Above all, the current moment Contact The Observer at the e are address above or call 815/399- something like this happen in our Christ walks with us and knows is a time when society needs us to people modern and hygienic culture? 4300; fax 815/399-6225, W what we need. witness. We need to foster and to Email: kmccarthy@ How will I live in a situation That conviction will not remove of faith and refl ect in our words and actions rockforddiocese.org. where it seems I have little control any sadness from the loss of people of a sense of calm and even joy that over the life and circumstances of routine, savings, health or even Send NEWS information to The hope. 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