Archived Articles
Friday, December 8
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. The day is particularly important for the Diocese of Rockford in that Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, is our patroness. Check your local parish for special holy day Mass times.
The observance of this feast began with a papal encyclical by Pope Pius IX, when he formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, INEFFABILIS DEUS, on December 8, 1854.
The Immaculate Conception dogma that states that Mary, whose conception was brought about the human way, was conceived without original sin or its stain. That’s what “immaculate” means: without stain.
It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people mistakenly think that the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect.
The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence, she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.
For on this feast and the upcoming feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, see the Dec. 8 issue of The Observer Catholic Newspaper.
Pope Francis’ prayer for the Immaculate Conception
Services to be held in Florida and Illinois for Father David Engbarth
LARGO, FLA.--Reverend David R. Engbarth died peacefully on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in Largo, Florida, where he was a resident since retiring from active ministry in the Diocese of Rockford in 2014.
Father was born on August 24, 1948, in Rockford, to Joseph M. Engbarth and Frances E. Giovingo. Father attended Lewis University, Lockport, IL (1967-1969). Father Engbarth attended Niles College, Chicago, IL (1969-1971). He then attended St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, MD (1971-1975) and Aquinas Institute, Dubuque, IA (1975-1976) where he received his Theological Formation. In 1979 Father attended Loyola University, Chicago, IL where he received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Click here to read more...Your Help is Needed!
Your help is needed now to save this important scholarship opportunity for children, especially those in our Catholic elementary and high schools.
Please contact your legislator today to support and call House Bill 4194 to a full vote.
For more go to www.savemyscholarship.org
Diocese to join Holy Land Catholics in Prayer Oct. 17
The Diocese of Rockford is sharing an invitation from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, to people in the Holy Land to observe Tuesday, Oct. 17 as a day of fasting and prayer for an end to the military crisis and acts of violence and hatred in the Middle East. The invitation to join the people of the Holy Land in prayer was sent to all priests, parishes and schools in the diocese Oct. 13.
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Invitation (English)
Invitation (Spanish)Deacon Warren R. LaMont
Deacon Warren R. LaMont died peacefully at his home in Pecatonica on September 15, 2023. He was 84. Deacon Warren was one of the members of the first class of deacons ordained for the Rockford Diocese by Bishop Arthur J. O”Neill on May 17, 1975. He has faithfully served his parish in Pecatonica since then.
Read his full obituaryDiocese of Rockford Welcomes New Superintendent of Catholic Schools
ROCKFORD—The Diocese of Rockford is pleased to announce a new superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Kim White.
Dr. White began her new role as the superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Rockford Sept. 6. Dr. White succeeds Vito DeFrisco who retired July 1. Renee Payne, diocesan assistant superintendent of schools served as the interim superintendent until Dr. White was hired.
Read moreRev. James V. McKitrick
Please join the Diocese of Rockford in praying for the repose of the soul of Father James V. McKitrick who died on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. The visitation will be at St. Patrick Church in McHenry on Sunday, August 27 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Church on Monday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation before the Mass from 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.