This article was published in the bulletin for the weekend of July 15-16.
The month of July starts the tightening of the belt in protecting God’s children in our diocese and throughout the United States. This is all part of the promise the bishops have made to the faithful for accountability, transparency and in making a difference in the safety of our children. The Bishops now ask us to do our part in making the Church the safest place on earth, as it should be. Continue reading
Many people came to the 100 Year Anniversary of the Miracle of the sun in Fatima, Portugal. Everything started in May of 1917. Three children saw the Blessed Virgin Mary, who encouraged people to pray the Rosary and wear their scapular of Mount Carmel. She asked for people to go to confession and for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. Continue reading
High school students: Want to join a community of fun, meaningful conversation, service, and worship? We meet every Wednesday in the NEW Youth Room at St Thomas from 7-9pm. Text Benjy Miller (Youth Minister) at 815.348.7785 for more info or if you just want to talk or hangout.
The Devil has a plan to take you down. What is your strategy
Saturday 4pm:
Sunday 8am:
Sunday 10:30am:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
The Book of Malachi is three chapters long. The Name Malachi means “My Messenger”. It is believed to be written sometime before Nehemiah came to town around 455 BC. The people of God returned from exile, but their hearts were still not turned back to Him. The priests were still offering blemished sacrifices, but the prophecy in Chapter 1 verse 11 tells of the Sacrifice of the Mass. Chapter Three, verses two and three states, “But who will endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying [silver], and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or silver that they may offer the due sacrifice to the Lord.” This is in reference to Zechariah 13:9 and Isaiah 1:25. But, all the Old testament references are pointing to the coming of Jesus. Jesus will offer the true sacrifice; the source of our worship at Mass. He will purify us with the once and for all sacrifice that comes to us in the Mass and whose power comes to us in Baptism, confession and anointing of the sick. Malachi sets the stage for the coming Messiah. Continue reading
En el texto de Isaías de este domingo se anuncia un festín de manjares suculentos “para todos los pueblos”. La invitación de Dios es, pues, universal. No hay duda de que Dios no hace acepción de personas, para El todos somos iguales, a todos nos invita a participar en su fiesta. Continue reading
Today is the 100 year anniversary of the Miracle of the Son. Praise God!
(Cynthia Saar sings the Ave Maria)
The Hundredfold Workshop Saturday, October 21, 9am-2pm, at St. Rita Church in Rockford. The Hundredfold Workshop will re-ignite our focus on vocations—to marriage, family, priesthood, and religious life. Practically speaking, the workshop will focus on creating a parish-based Vocation Ministry to educate and inspire adults and young people. Who Should Attend: All Catholics interested in helping to promote vocations are invited. In particular, this includes lay leaders such as Parish Council Presidents or catechists, as well as those with an official capacity, such as priests, deacons, sisters, parish staff, DREs, Catholic school staff and faculty, youth ministers, campus ministers, etc. *There is no cost to attend the workshop. Lunch is provided. Please register online at RockfordDiocese.org.
