March 24-28: St. Mary in Elgin hosts parish mission

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St. Mary Parish in Elgin, 400 Fulton St., is having a parish mission beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 24, and continuing each eveining through March 28. The name of the mission is "Companions on the Journey" and the mission speaker is Father Peter Schavitz, CSsR, a Redemptorist priest from Chicago. 
Admission is free. Transportation and child care will be available at no cost. 
Each session will be followed by a social gathering in Binsfeld Hall featuring refreshments with a different food theme each night. 
Everyone is invited to attend.

Date: March 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Mary, 400 Fulton St., Elgin, IL
Free

Info: Chris Mattoon at (847) 888-2828
Web Site: https://stmaryelgin.org/
Email: cmattoon@stmaryelgin.org 

Illinois becomes a diocese in 1843

As Illinois celebrates its bicentennial this year, The Observer will present occasional features from Rockford Diocese history books.

The Provincial Council that assembled in Baltimore in May, 1843, finding that from the very great spread of the Catholic Church several additional Bishops were needed, passed a decree recommending the formation of the new Sees of Chicago, Illinois; Little Rock, Arkansas; Hartford, Connecticut; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and the Apostolic Vicariate of Oregon Territory. The recommendation of this Council was immediately acted upon in Rome, and accordingly in the following year the Apostolic letters for the consecration of the three new Bishops arrived in New York. They were consecrated on March 10, 1844 (including) the Rt. Rev. William Quarter, D.D., for the Diocese of Chicago.
When the new Bishop arrived in Chicago, accompanied by his brother, the Rev. Walter J. Quarter, the almost total absence of priests presented a disheartening problem, (says) the author of the Life of the Rt. Rev. William Quarter, D.D. (p. 48) ... .

Exerpts from the bishop’s diary  tell some of the early history of Catholicism in northern Illinois.

First Bishop of Illinois

August 8 (1844). The Bishop set out in company of Rev. Walter J. Quarter for Galena; arrived about 12:30 a. m. Saturday morning. The Rev. Ostlangenberg said an early Mass; after Mass saw the Rev. Petiot; preached on Sunday at 10 o’clock and in the afternoon. On Monday morning at 9 o’clock administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Church of Galena to about forty-two persons. It was the first time the Bishop administered this Sacrament; some were converts to the Catholic faith.
August 18. On Sunday morning, the feast of St. Joachim, the Bishop officiating pontifically at 6:30 o’clock Mass, conferred the order of Deacon on the Rev. Thomas O’Donnell and at the same Mass raised to the dignity of the priesthood the Rev. Messrs. John Brady and John Ingoldsby.
August 27. Today the Rev. John Brady set out for Galena, where he is to officiate as assistant pastor to the Rev. Mr. Petiot.
September 8. Rev. Mr. Ingoldsby left in the afternoon on a mission to Aurora.
April 7 (1845). The Rev. John Brady of Galena and the Rev. P. McMahan of Donnelly’s Settlement are here on a visit.
September 27. Died on Saturday morning, the 27th of September, the Rev. John Faughan, pastor of Elgin, in the forty-second year and three months of his age. R. I. P.
Source: 1924 Complete History Book of the Diocese of Rockford

April 14: 29th Tidal Wave for St. Edward CCHS

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St. Edward High School Celebrates Service at 29th Annual Fundraiser

Tidal Wave: La Vita Bella Dinner, Auction tickets on sale until April 1

ELGIN--St. Edward Central Catholic High School will host its 29^th annual benefit gala on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Northwest, Hoffman Estates starting at 5:30 p.m.  Tidal Wave: La Vita Bella, chaired by parent volunteers, Vito and Maria Corso, celebrates the “beautiful life”
surrounding St. Edward Central Catholic High School students and families.

Attendees will enjoy dinner, drinks, silent and live auctions for more than 300 items, including vacation packages to Las Vegas and Sonoma, Cubs tickets, outdoor grills, a big screen TV, spa and restaurant gift certificates, and more. 

Tickets are $150 per person, or $1,350 for a table of 10, and can be purchased through April 1 by calling 847-741-7535, ext. 123.

Proceeds from the event benefit academic advances and provide scholarship funds for students in need to attend the nonprofit, college preparatory, Catholic high school located in Elgin, Ill. Founded in 1941, St. Edward Central Catholic has a legacy of academic excellence, with 96 percent of 2017 graduates attending a college or university and 4 percent enrolling in technical schools. Thirty percent of students receive a financial scholarship through the St. Edward Central Catholic Guardian Angel scholarship fund.

During the gala, St. Edward Central Catholic will celebrate members of the community who provide unwavering service to the 76-year-old college preparatory high school, including:

-          Ted Meyers, Class of ’78, Alumnus of the Year:  A fourth-generation lawyer and partner with Meyers and Flowers Trial Lawyers, Meyers exemplifies the qualities and values of a St. Edward Central Catholic education.  

-          Jackie Tabbert, St. Gregory the Great Award:  The St. Gregory the Great Award recognizes a St. Edward Central Catholic faculty member for his or her commitment to students’ education. Serving as the school’s culinary and fashion arts instructor for more than 25 years, Tabbert has influenced the career paths of many St. Edward students and remains beloved among the alumni.

-          Frank Celarek, Loyal Order of St. Edward Award:  Honoring a volunteer who goes above and beyond, the Loyal Order of St. Edward Award will be presented to Frank Celarek of Elgin. An active member of the Boosters’ Club and a steadfast advocate of St. Edward Central Catholic, Celarek has remained a champion for the school long after his children graduated.

-          Joe Bero and Son Plumbing and Piping, Patron of the Year:  Joe Bero Plumbing and Piping has been a supporter of St. Edward Central Catholic for multiple generations. This award recognizes the company’s commitment to the school and its students.

Dec. 12: Fox Valley Catholic

Fox Valley Catholic - Gathering young adults (18-35ish) from all over the Fox Valley and surrounding areas

ELGIN--On the second Tuesday of the month, join Fox Valley Catholic at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for some beer, friendships, and a little formation.  

The next Brew Night will be Tuesday, Dec. 12. We hope to see you there! 

Do you know anyone 18-35ish? Please share this invitation with them. 

Info: www.foxvalleycatholic.com