ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE OBSERVER Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 78 | No. 17 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2013 Acies Celebrates Blessed Mother BY AMANDA HUDSON News editor ROCKFORD—The Fellow- ship Hall at the Cathedral of St. Peter was fi lled to overfl owing at the luncheon that followed a morning of prayer and devotion at the annual Legion of Mary Acies on April 6. Inside During the Acies, individuals dedicate themselves to Mary. Morning activities included Mass celebrated in English and Spanish by Bishop David J. Malloy, with Father Edward Seisser, spiritual director for the Rockford Diocese Legion of Mary Curia, and Father Saul Cruz, Spanish spiritual direc- tor for the curia. Bishop Malloy spoke of the relationship of Jesus and Mary in his homily, noting that (Observer photo by Amanda Hudson) Scriptures don’t indicate how Miracle to Miracle A statue of Mary, honored with roses near the altar decorated with Easter lilies, overlooks the Legion of or when Jesus went to see his Forever Family, pgs. 8-9 Mary vexillum (the symbols mounted on a post at right) as two men make the sign of the cross at the an- mother after his resurrection. nual Acies, or dedication to Mary. When participants put their hands on the staff of the vexillum, they say He shared how that moment is “I am all yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours.” Continued on page 3 Quick News Bishop Malloy to Bless Local Catholic Radio Expected to Begin Fertility Care Center Bishop David J. Malloy will bless the OSF FertilityCare Broadcasting in the Rockford Area in December Center Cherry Valley location and an open house, 7-8:30 BY KAREN PIEH licenses available to nonprofi t McHenry, looks foward to his p.m., April 16. The center is Venture Welcome MAHONEY organizations. invitation to serve as the chap- at 1572 S. Bell School Road, “We want a presence at lain for the Rockford Diocese This latest venture in Cath- Special to The Observer Cherry Valley. The center will Catholic schools and to broad- listening area, and to collabo- olic radio is welcome news mark its fi rst anniversary that ANTIOCH—WSFI 88.5 FM cast high school events, offer- rating with Milwaukee and according to Penny Wiegert, day. broke ground for its radio tow- ing programming by the newly Chicago parishes. director of communications er April 8 and hopes to reach formed Young Catholic Advo- “It is important for people for the Diocese of Rockford. a million listeners in the areas cates.” she said. stuck at home, older folks who The Rockford Diocese, surrounding the Diocese of She also said they plan to use are more radio oriented, and once owner of fi ve radio Rockford, and the archdioceses their ties to Sports Faith In- those commuting in their cars. translator stations, began of Chicago and Milwaukee. ternational to feature athletes It gives people an option to lis- to divest itself of ownership Station offi cials hope to offer “in getting a spiritual message ten to something that won’t get in radio late in 2011. After the best in Catholic local pro- across,” especially to youth. them worked up all day. much consultation with ex- gramming in the area. In addition, the station will “Most radio and TV dur- (CNS photo/John Gress, Reuters) perts in commercial radio, The studio will broadcast 24 promote Catholic musicians, ing the day seems to incite the translators were sold hours a day on property of St. singers and songwriters. some sort of debate,” Father Movie-reviewer Ebert after a severe downturn in Raphael the Archangel Parish “We are hoping to be a clear- White continued, “rather than Buried from Holy Name the economy depleted fi nan- in Antioch in the Archdiocese inghouse for people looking for thought. I am happy that there Pallbearers carry the cas- cial resources to complete of Chicago. services and to be able to help will be something that they can ket of Roger Ebert into Holy broadcast requirements by Sports Faith International, an them,” she said. listen to, that Name Cathedral for his Federal Communications organization that recognizes Endorsed by Cardinal Fran- will nurture funeral Mass in Chicago April Commission deadlines. sports fi gures who lead exem- ces George, the archbishop them and 8. The Pulitzer Prize-winning “Our diocese has always plary lives and WSFI radio are of Chicago, the not-for-profi t help them in critic died April 4 at age 70 been interested in every products of the nonprofi t group, radio station will fi ll a much their spiri- in Chicago. Ebert had been method available to reach BVM Helping Hands. needed gap tual life.” dealing with a series of health people and share the Good Angela Tomlinson, founder in religious A famil- struggles since being diag- News of our faith. However of WSFI Station Manager and broadcast- iar voice on nosed with papillary thyroid we also must be responsi- Sports Faith International; ing in the R e l e v a n t cancer in 2002. ble stewards of the fi nancial Matt Tomlinson, fi nancial ad- area, and Radio, Fa- Father White visor for Catholic Financial will be in ther White This Issue gifts people entrust to us and put them to use in the most Life; and Patrick McCaskey, full com- has broadcast several call- Bishop Malloy ............................. 2 cost-effective forms of media owner of the Chicago Bears p l i a n c e in segments on alcoholism, Headliners ..................................... 3 available to us to reach and and chair of Sports Faith Inter- with the which draws both Catholic Diocesan ................................. 4, 14 serve the people of God,” national, serve on the board of Cardinal George Mageste- and non-Catholic listeners. Around the Diocese .............. 5-7 Wiegert said. BVM Helping Hands. rium of the “Folks often listen to Catho- Forever Family .........................8-9 “We wish much success According to Tomlinson, Catholic Church. lic radio that have an interest in Nation/World ..................... 10-11 to WSFI 88.5 FM and will BVM was founded to help peo- “Research on the impact of religion or perhaps are Catholic ple access community services Catholic radio is very positive,” and have fallen away,” he ex- Faith Forum ............................... 12 do what we can to partici- with technology and media. wrote Cardinal George in a let- plained. “It is a great option for pate, support and share the Viewpoints ................................ 13 The idea to expand the min- ter of support. people to learn about the faith Catholic Faith with listeners For the Record ......................... 14 istry through radio emerged Father Paul White, pas- in general, or strengthen their in Northern Illinois,” she said. Media/Arts ................................. 15 after the FCC made broadcast tor of Holy Apostles Parish in own faith and walk with God.” 2 FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2013 | The Observer In the Lord’s Peace, We Find Our The Observer (ISSN 0029- Friendship with Jesus Stronger 7739), is published weekly, except five times a year by the Diocese of Rockford, BY BISHOP DAVID J. MALLOY 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 s we continue the the waves. When awakened, after being pulled from the wa- he won’t let us down. Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax celebration of the Jesus calmed the seas and then ter by Christ, Peter still didn’t In the first month of his 815/399-6225. Lord’s victory over asked them, “Why were you learn the lesson until late in life. service as Holy Father, Pope Periodical postage paid at sin and death in afraid?” During the Lord’s suffering, he Francis has made a point of Rockford, Ill., and additional Athis Easter season, we do well Likewise, as Christ extended tried to watch from a distance, highlighting another form of mail offices. to note how Jesus greeted his his hand to Peter who had be- thus being with Christ, sort of, Christ’s help in carrying our POSTMASTER: send address followers when they saw him gun to sink after walking on but not risking too much. Peter crosses. That is the help and changes to The Observer, 555 again after he had risen. “Peace the water, he asked, “Why did was not made happier by his strength that we can give to Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box be with you.” you doubt?” reticence and fear. each other. 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 The risen Lord gave to his So much of the life of faith is he Easter season and In charity and in selfless ser- For information: followers the gift of his peace to learn to trust Christ as we go ADVERTISING Christ’s constant ap- vice, we look for others who are Contact The Observer at the because they had just gone through the trials and tempta- pearances to his fol- in need and we can serve them. address above or call 815/399- through the trial and deep dis- tions of life. 4300; fax 815/399-6225, lowers are calls to con- Be it by our aid, or by our en- couragement of seeing him suf- At times, the world seems to E-mail: rbergman@ Tquer our fear with God’s love. couragement, or simply by our rockforddiocese.org. fer. Jesus was thought to have be afraid of Christ himself, the presence, the cross can become been defeated and all that his invitation to walk with Christ Making, say, the commit- lighter for them and the waves Send NEWS information to The friends had hoped for, lost.