The piece in our bulletin this week did not specify location- so please note that this event is at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Spread the word to all the pet lovers you know!
Pet Blessing!
Aquin News and Events!
AQUIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
With Father McMorrow teaching over at Aquin, we are proud to announce news and events going on at the school that you might be interested in. We hope you will consider lending them your kind support for as long as their halls remain open!
Every month, with the money raised from our Jeans Days we choose an organization to give back to. Donated by the Aquin student board on behalf of the entire Aquin Catholic school community we chose Freeport Area Church Cooperative We are so grateful for this opportunity to help the community.
Voices needs your kind donations of the following products;
- Toliet paper
- Napkins
- Body Wash
- Lotion
- Conditioner
- Toothpaste
- Razors
- Nail Clippers
- Dryer Sheets
- Fabric softener
- Hand Soap
- Trash Bags
- Ziploc Bags
- Diapers
- Plastic wrap
- Over-the-counter Medications (pain reliever, allergy medicine, cough drops and medicine)
- Paper towels
- Feminine Hygeine
- Deoderant
- Shampoo
- Hairbrushes and Combs
- Shaving Cream
- Hygiene Cream
- Hygiene Wipes
- Nail Files
- Laudry Detergent
- Dish Soap
- Swiffer Wet or Dry
- All-purpose Cleaner
- Disinfectant Spray
- Baby Wipes
- Aluminum Foil
Donations can be brought to Aquin Catholic Highschool
Support our Aquin Bulldogs!
Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children
September 9th is the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children.
Special memorial services will be held throughout the diocese.
In the Rockford area, Bishop Malloy will be leading us in prayer for the victims of abortion at 10:00am at Calvary Cemetery on this day.
September Yellow
September Yellow – Suicide Awareness Month
As Catholics one of our fundamental beliefs is respecting all life from conception to natural death. There is much misunderstanding, confusion and heartache when we talk about suicide. It’s not an easy topic to address but a necessary one. In 2021, in the US alone, we lost 48,126 of our brothers and sisters in Christ, who died by suicide. Statistics tell us that over 90% of those who die by suicide exhibited signs of mental illness. Many go without diagnosis and treatment due to the stigma associated with mental illness. It’s up to each of us to get educated and understand mental illness for what it is … an illness! It does not define the person or make them any less loved by God.
Nationally September is recognized as suicide prevention awareness month. You are all invited to partake in a simple act of love that can save lives. Gather as a parish and pray a Living Rosary. When you pray include anyone experiencing suicidal ideation, anyone who has died by suicide and the suicide bereaved.
We will pray our Living Rosary on Wednesday, September 6th, at 6:00pm after regular Mass.
St. Joseph church 229 West Washington Place,
Freeport IL, 61032
– Please wear YELLOW as a sign of your support –
MRC GOLF BALL DROP!
Colby Smith Run
The Run is upcoming!
Description
Join us for our 16th year!
Join us for a 4-mile, course-certified Rockford Road Runners circuit race. This unique course begins at St. Thomas Church and ends on the Aquin High School football field. Transportation is available at the finish line.
Every year, we honor the memory of Colby J. Smith with the Colby Smith Memorial 4-Mile Classic and Colby Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Trophies are awarded to the top overall male and female winners and medals are given to the top three male and female runners in all age groups. All participants will receive a long sleeve tech t-shirt.
Proceeds from the race benefit the Colby Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships for students to attend Aquin Catholic Schools. To make a contribution to the scholarship fund, which has awarded over $144,000 to students since 2010, please use the “Donate” button above.
It has been a wonderful tribute to Colby’s memory and the support from all of you has been incredible. In addition to continuing the run, the Smith’s will continue to have an annual appeal for the Colby Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Map of the Race Layout
For tickets, merch, more details, race times, free will donations and t-shirts; follow the link below;
Parish Barbeque
Save the Date!
LIFELINE COALITION BANQUET
Lifeline Coalition invites you to celebrate LIFE at the Grand River Hall in Freeport – 2407 West Galena Avenue in Freeport, Illinois. This indoor event will be held this summer on August 18th and 19th @ 5:30 p.m. as we offer the same experience on two separate nights, so everyone gets to attend!
See what it means to Be The Lifeline to the unborn as you walk through the journey of life from conception to birth and get an inside look at what happens when a woman visits our clinics when you hear directly from our patient care team. This will be an event you won’t want to miss. Tickets are free but are required to attend this event – Seating is limited!
– Semi-formal Attire –
Thank you for choosing to participate in making our baskets beautiful for the LifeLine Coalition. We are proud to support their mission to save and nourish unborn life, and to protect struggling new mothers in need of support. Their services save lives and go above and beyond to help them thrive.
Thank you for helping us fill our gift basket for St. Joseph Church this year!
Thank you for helping us fill our gift basket for St. Mary Church this year!
Learn more about their upcoming events, mission statmenets, and offer free will donations to their site below.
12 Day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Fr. Matthew McMorrow & Fr. Tom Lilly
12 DAYS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
November 7 – 18, 2023
For additional information please contact:
FOR ALASKA, CONTACT: Bob McMorrow / (907) 273-1552 / rmcmorrow@stbenedictsak.com
FOR ILLINOIS, CONTACT: Fr. Matthew McMorrow / (630) 844-3780 (parish office) / mmcmorrow@rockforddiocese.org
PLEASE CHECK YOUR PASSPORT CAREFULLY. MUST BE VALID UNTIL AT LEAST MAY 31, 2024.
I know I am just getting started here, but I do have exciting news to share. I am leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in November, and I would love to have parishioners from Freeport join the trip. The pilgrimage is from Nov 7-18th, 2023.
This will be a great pilgrimage that will be a blessing for us all. As we read about the Sermon on the Mount, the Sea of Galilee and the hill of Calvary, it adds a whole new level of devotion and understanding to see and touch those places. How amazing it is to offer Mass in the Shepherd’s Cave in Bethlehem and to walk the stations of the cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Jesus can move powerfully in our lives when we give Him our time and effort and ask Him to move our hearts.
I hope you will consider coming with me, and I so look forward to seeing how God will use this pilgrimage of faith! Even if you can’t come, I will be sharing information back with you through the bulletin and social media.
Details about the pilgrimage can be found at: https://www.catholicpilgrimoffice.com/mcmorrow2023
Unfortunately, because of the short notice, we have to get the
registrations in by mid-July.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Matthew McMorrow
REGISTRATION FORM
Due to the late notice, please fill out and send in your registration forms as soon as possible
(By Mid-July).
Blue Nun Fun Run 2023!
Join us again this year for our annual BLUE NUN FUN RUN!
August 12, 2023 @ 9:00AM — 2:30PM Central Time
St. Rita Catholic Church : 6254 Valley Knoll Dr Rockford, Illinois 61109
Dear Friends and Madonna Champions,
I am Sister Mary Nesta Ezeanya the new director of Madonna Renewal Center, a licensed clinical social worker and spiritual director. I obtained my master’s degree in social work from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN, master’s degree in theology and graduate certificate in spiritual direction from St. Catherine’s University St. Paul, MN. I have worked in the areas of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, providing a holistic approach to individuals in need of hope and healing.
Inspired by St. Irenaeus who states that “The glory of God is (hu)man fully alive,” I am very eager to build the mission of Madonna Renewal Center of upholding human dignity and respect for life. I will achieve this through implementing the Madonna curriculum that aids a person acquire self-worth and have the motivation to work towards living a fulfilling life. It’s been five years since the official opening of the center. Her services to the community are made possible because of your generous heart, committed board members, volunteers that go extra miles, and community support.
Currently we have two expectant mothers in MRC. One is in her third month while the other is in her fifth month. Both have been so industrious that a volunteer took them out for ice cream. It is our goal to continue to make a difference in the lives of these courageous women that chose life. The community continues to donate items that women or persons in need know that they can come to collect at any time.
The Blue Nun Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday August 12, 2023, at St. Rita’s Church Rockford. The cost of a ticket is $40.00. Come join us to run for life. We would appreciate any assistance you can provide. With your help, we will continue to save lives by providing support and conducive environment for women in need of hope and healing. May God bless and reward you a hundredfold.
Click HERE to register
More Info Below
Madonna Renewal Center – Blue Nun Fun Run
Registered Runners get a free T-Shirt and after-race snacks!
***
Raising money for Moms in need, and having fun doing it! You are very welcome to join us in our mission!
Visit the Madonna Renewal Center and show your support today