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He also referred to the contribution of immi- grants to the diocese, the first generation built, next generations repaired, and next generations would renovate. Intertwined with the Mass, the bishop blessed different parts of the altar. He started by bless- ing the presidential chair, where priests will be seated and will preside over the celebration of Mass. He also blessed the tabernacle and stat- ues near the altar. One of the most striking changes is the blue interior ceiling adorned with golden stars. The ceiling is beautiful, we love the new ceiling changes, and I have to agree with the bishop, the stars and the sky is definitely one of my fa- vorite parts, said Scott Passman, parishioner for eight years. Passman said he remembered the time when everybody used to have the big buckets after a big rain; it is nice to have all that ixed up now. Father Bakkelund explained the extent of the renovations saying, We started with the roof, then we did the interior of the church, and the inal piece was the HVAC system. Now we can stay dry and warm and pray. Bernhard and her family, as part of the cam- paign team said we personally visited parish families This is important, we have to pro- tect this, and preserve it and make it better for future gener- ations. Bernhard is also Adult Formation Coordinator at St. Peter Parish and has been a parishioner there for 29 years. Among the Mass goers was Jodi Rippon, diocesan Director of Financial and Administra- tive Services. Being present for the blessing of the beauti- fully renovated church at St. Peter Church, Geneva, was an honor. Parishioners and visitors will enjoy this beautiful wor- ship space for many years to come, she said. We were just very excited Bishop Malloy came out for this historic moment in the life of our parish, and we can celebrate together for adoration and prayer of almighty God. It's a great day, Father Bakkelund said. During that sunny but slippery winter morn- ing, Father Bakkelund spoke at the end of the Mass to about 300 parishioners in the church and to those who were viewing the Mass on the parish YouTube channel to give his thanks to all those who, in one way or another, contributed to the renovations. St. Peter Parish was founded in 1911 with a church con- structed to seat about 100. The current church building was constructed and dedicated in 1993 and seats about 1,200. The church campus also in- cludes a parish center, school and adoration chapel. The church is currently home to more than 2,500 families.
(Observer photos/ Margarita Mendoza)
Members of St. Peter Parish pray during the Mass, surrounded by bright lights shining in the stained glass windows and the renovated blue ceiling. Bishop David Malloy blesses a young parishioner.
Bishop Malloy's Public Schedule
ROCKFORD - Jan. 16, Sunday Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter HUNTLEY - Jan. 22, 10 a.m., Mass for Life, St. Mary Church ROCKFORD - Jan. 23, 7:30 a.m., Sunday Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter AURORA - Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m., Confirmation, Annunciation BVM Church
Kris Kassmier
DIOCESE-On Jan. 22, Catholics in the United States observe the annual Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, as desig- nated by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal , no. 373. This day of prayer for life - Jan. 22 - is the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court deci- sion Roe v. Wade. Diocesan Catholics are in- vited to join a Mass for the re- spect of human life celebrated by Bishop David Malloy Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. The Mass will be said at St. Mary Parish, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley, IL. For those unable to attend in person, the Mass for Life will be live streamed on the Huntley St. Mary Parish YouTube channel. It will be able to be viewed live or at a later time. Another diocesan effort to ral- ly for life is the Rockford Walk for Life on Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. Details can be found in the Dec. 24, 2021 issue of The Observer .
Visit www.ProLifeRockford.com for more information or call Rockford Family Initiative at 717-521-7035.
Pray for the Unborn Jan. 15, 22
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great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world."
-Pope St. John Paul II
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n Catholic University of America: CUA was established in 1887 and serves more than 6,000 students with an educa- tion that is grounded in Catholic intellectual tradition. Donations to this appeal go directly to fi- nancial assistance for students from across the U.S. Currently over 40 CUA students come from Illinois and seven come from the Rockford Diocese. Last year, the diocese gave $6,424 to this appeal.
Info: engage.catholic.edu/giving/ how-give/national-collection
n Diocesan Catholic el- ementary schools: This part of the combined collection assists struggling diocesan Catholic elementary schools to continue to provide a Catholic education to their students along with re- ligious and moral formation. Needy schools of the diocese received $286,833 from this collection in 2021.
Info: rockforddiocese.org/donate
n The diocesan priests' pension: The Diocese of Rock- ford has a priests' pension pro- gram to support our 40 current- ly-retired priests, many of whom serve diocesan Catholics as they are able, including as spiritual leaders, counselors, ministers to the sick and at parish Masses. This program also will support our priests who will retire. Last year Catholics in the diocese contributed $136,793 to support diocesan retired priests.
Info: rockforddiocese.org/donate
Your support empowers local communities, shares the Gospel message with our neigh- bors, and cares for elderly reli- gious, says Bishop Malloy in his national appeal letter. Rather than make separate collections for the requests of this appeal, he adds, our diocese has opted to combine these requests into three sepa- rate appeals spaced throughout the year. Two other One in Christ combined collections will come later in 2022: the International Appeal and the Mission Appeal.
One in Christ' Collection Helps Beyond and in Rockford Diocese
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our support empowers local communities, shares the Gospel message with our neighbors, and cares for elderly religious."
-Bishop David Malloy
Renovations Blessed at Geneva Parish
National Appeal Weekend Jan. 15-16
The Observer
FRIDAY JANUARY 14, 2022
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