April 4, 6, 13: Diocesan Chorale rehearsals for Chrism Mass

DIOCESE--Singers (SATB) may join the Rockford Diocesan Chorale for its performance at the Chrism Mass, April 18, at the Cathedral of St. Peter,  1243 N. Church St. in Rockford. Rehearsals are:

THURSDAY, APRIL 4:   ST. PETER, GENEVA - 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the McCORMICK ROOM.  Go in the narthex and take the elevator downstairs.  You will see a sign for the McCormick Room.  I will also post signs.

SATURDAY, APRIL 6:  ST. CATHERINE, WEST DUNDEE - 10:30 to 12:30 in CHURCH.  

SATURDAY, APRIL 13:  CATHEDRAL, ROCKFORD - 10:30 to 12:30 in CHURCH.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, CHRISM MASS:  CALL at 8:30 AM to REHEARSE.  Short break at 10:00 AM for about 30 minutes or so, then Mass at 11:00 AM.

SCHOLA MEMBERS AND THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE IN SCHOLA!!!
Please be ready at rehearsal to practice the Tallis "If Ye Love Me."  If you have not already joined the Schola, please let me know at the rehearsal that you are interested.  Requirements:

1.  Be able to read music, ability to stay on pitch in a small group of singers, and confidence singing in a small group (12-16 vocalists).

2.  Commitment to learn your part outside of rehearsal.  Our rehearsal time is to solidify the choral sound, NOT to teach parts.

3.  Preferred if you had some experience singing polyphony and Latin, but if you haven't we will teach you.

4.  Willingness to stay after scheduled regular rehearsal time for about 30 minutes to practice with the others.

STILL IN NEED OF AN ALTO SECTION LEADER!  ​If you or anyone you know is an alto, has the ability to read music, is strong in sight-reading, and is a leader vocally, please have that person send me an e-mail or call me at the Cathedral.

INFO: Valerie Holland, director of music for special events, Diocese of Rockford​, diocesanchorale@rockforddiocese.org

April 2: Church sex abuse discussion

ROCKFORD--A discussion, "Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church," will be held at 6:30 p.m., April 2, at Rockford University's Fisher Memorial Chapel. 

Father Beauvais

The discussion will be led by Father David Beauvais, long time priest and retired pastor of St.James Parish, and moderated by Kevin Hass, Rockford Register Star metro editor.

Dick Kunnert, who is the former victim assistance coordinator for the Rockford Diocese, and Ruth Kolpack, a former pastoral associate of St. Thomas in Beloit, Wis., will also contribute to the discussion.

This panel may provide perspective and answers to those perplexed about the issues surrounding the abuse.

The program is free and open to the public. Sponsors are Rockford Urban Ministries and the Dominican Associates of Sinsinawa.

What: Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church

When: Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Fisher Memorial Chapel, Rockford University

April 6: Dixon KC hosts cookout

DIXON--From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 6, the Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 will have a cook-out fundraiser at Oliver’s Corner Market in Dixon.  The money raised will be for the Catholic Education Scholarship fund.  

Workers are needed for the event.  Volunteers shousd call  Tim Oliver at 815.440.8360 if they can help during any part of the day. Setup will start about 8:30 a.m. 

They are also asking people to bring baked goods for the accompanying bake sale. 

The menu will include ribeye steaks, pork chops, hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats.  

Everyone is invited to stop by for lunch.

March 28: Asylum seekers talk in Rockford

ROCKFORD--Holy Family Parish, 4401 Highcrest Road here, will host a talk about asylumn seekers at 7 p.m. March 28. Speakers will be parishioners Linda Zuba, an attorney who has worked at an imigrant detention center in Texas, and Patrick Winn, director of Rockford Diocese Catholic Charities.
Discussion will cover topics, including:
Why do they flee their countrie?
Which countries are they primarily coming from?
What is asylum?
Who qualifies for asylum?
What is happening now at the southern border with asylum seekers?
There will be a chance to ask questions.
Info: 815.398.4280

April 5: Chosen performing at Rosary HS

(Photo provided)

AURORA--Chosen, a high-energy band playing today’s popular Christian music, will perform an evening of Contemporary Praise and Worship Music at 7 p.m. April 5 at Rosary High School's McEnroe Auditorium, 901 N. Edgelawn Dr., here.
The band is made up of Andy Divin (guitar/vocals), Larry Jennings (guitar), Melissa Silvia (vocals),  Kristin Fitzgerald (vocals), Todd Whittmer (guitar), Michael Barbel (bass), Dennis Owen(guitar/vocals), and Rosary's own Scott Wade (drums). 

Chosen formed about nine years ago when these musicians answered God's call to share His abundant love and grace through the gift of music, Wade said. "Leading praise and worship music for some Masses at St. Mary Plano and St. Patrick Yorkville has been the base and heartbeat of our band."

Free, open to the public. Doors open at 6 pm. 
Info: www.rosaryhs.com/chosen.

April 1: Cemetery clean up in Tampico

Cemetery Cleanup is April 1 at St. Mary Cemetery in Tampico. Please remove winter decorations. Also, grave blankets need to be removed immediately to prevent grass kill.
Info: St Mary Rectory, 815.438.5425

April 7, 12-14: Passion play in Genoa

(Observer file photo)

St. Catherine of Genoa Parish will present a full, theatrical performance of Christ’s Passion based on the Gospels at 2 p.m. April 7, 1 p.m. April 13, 2 p.m.  April 14 and 4 p.m. April 19 at  at 340 S. Stott St. in Genoa. 
The photo is from the 2018 play.Donations will be accepted. 
Info: 815.784.2355

April 5-7: "Animal Farm" at Marian CCHS

(Mattias Zomer/Pexels)

Marian Central Catholic High School drama department will present George Orwell's "Animal Farm" at 7 p.m. April 5 and 6 and at 2 p.m. April 7. The school is at 1001 McHenry Ave. in Woodstock.  Directors are Christine Connell and Kasey Gallagher. They say the audience will be intrigued to watch the characters transform in full view on stage in the Marian CCHS auditorium. Tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before show time at the school box office. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

April 6: Women's retreat in Morrison

St. Mary Parish, 13320 Garden Plain Road in Morrison, will host a Lent retreat from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 6. The topic is "Becoming a Woman of God." The retreat will lead participants to become the whole, holy and authentic self that God made them to be.
Cathleen Filipski will lead the retreat. She is serving in spiritual ministries through Scripture and prayer. She is a wife and mother of six children.
RSVPs are requested to plan for refreshments and lunch. Call 815.772.4890 or visit https://www.stmarymorrison.org/

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

(Photo provided)

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 

Feb. 27 and March 2: Diocesan Chorale rehearsal changes

Because both parishes needed to schedule funerals, the Feb. 27 and March 2 Diocesan Chorale rehearsals ahead of the Rite of Election have changed. 
The new schedule is:
Wednesday, Feb. 27: 7-9 p.m. at St. Peter in Geneva
Saturday, March 2: 12:15-2 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena in West Dundee
Thursday, March 7, 7-9 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford.
The mandatory call for March 9 is still at 8:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford.
Info:Valerie Holland, choir director, diocesanchorale@rockforddiocese.org

Dec. 14: Communal Penance, St. James, Rockford

St. James, Rockford

CORRECTION

On Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. St. James Parish, 428 N. Second St., Rockford will host an Advent Communal Penance service.
There will NOT be a Communal Penance Service at St. James Parish in Belvidere.
The Observer regrets the error.

Dec 1: Marmion-Rosary Cheerleaders to host clinic

AUIRORA--The Marmion Academy/Rosary High School Cheerleaders are hosting a cheer clinic for students in grades K-8 on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Marmion Academy field house, 1000 Butterfield Road. 
Participants will learn cheers, jumps, and stunts along with a dance routine that they will perform during half time at the Marmion Academy basketball game on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. 
The cost is $35 and includes a snack and a T-shirt. Sign up at www.rosaryhs.com/cheer.