March 1: Learn about Catholics and divorce in Elgin

Event or News information:
The Elgin Deanery presents; "Divorce and the Year of Mercy -- Where Do I Stand?" The informational evening will "bust myths" about Catholics and divorce, offer information about annulments, and provide a variety of helpful resources.
Date: Tuesday March 1, 2016
Start Time: 07:00 pm
End Time: 08:30 pm
Location: St. Thomas More Parish, 215 Thomas More Dr., Elgin, IL
For more info
Call: Sharon Hall at (847) 888-1682
Web Site: stthomasmorechurch.org
Email: shall@stthomasmorechurch.org

Feb. 28: Lent Mission in Elburn

Lenten Mission-Receiving Mercy

We are all sinners.  We sin against God, our neighbor and ourselves. But we must not wallow in shame. Rather we are invited to joyfully receive the unfathomable mercy that God offers to each of us. God does not love us less because we sin.  It is our sins that are the means for God to reveal the depths of His love for us. We are awesome, beloved children of God, destined for eternal joy with Him!

On Sunday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m., in the church, Mike Pacer will share his insights on the journey towards embracing the infinite Divine Mercy of our God.  Come and learn more about God’s mercy!  Come and be unburdened of some of the pain and sorrow your carry deep within your heart!  Come and be inspired!  Come and be transformed!

Following his talk, Mike will lead us in a special prayer of mercy.  

Eucharistic Adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation will be available beginning at approximately 7:45 p.m. 

There is a reception immediately following.  This is a free event, however a good will offering will be collected.  

Everyone will also receive a free copy of Mike Pacer’s book, Mercy and Hope.

Mike Pacer practiced as a Chicago trial lawyer for 14 years before hearing a call from God to “just leave.” His trust walk over the past 12 years has lead Mike to a life as a dynamic international speaker, author, retreat facilitator and parish mission leader. He is director of Evangelize All Ministries, an apostolate that promotes God Is! -- a powerful plan for parish evangelization and renewal. Mike is the author of Mercy and Hope and Prayers for Catholic Men. Mike’s straight-forward style and enthusiastic love for God will meet you right where you are and help inspire you to be who God invites you to be. 

All are invited to attend and be transformed.

Please RSVP to parishoffice@stgall.com before Friday, Feb. 19.

Date: Feb. 28
Start Time: 06:30 pm
Location: St. Gall Parish, 120 W. Shannon St., Elburn, IL 60119
Cost (if any): Donations
For more info
Email: parishoffice@stgall.com

Feb. 24: Lent Reflection on Mercy in North Aurora

A Lenten Reflection for the Jubilee Year of Mercy will be offered by Father Joel Rippinger, OSB, Feb. 24 on Feb. 24 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in North Aurora. His theme will be "How We Encounter the Mercy of Christ in our Day."
Date: Feb. 24, 2016
Start Time: 06:45 pm
End Time: 07:45 pm
Location: Blessed Sacrament Parish, 801 Oak St., North Aurora, IL 60542
Cost (if any): Free
For more info
Call: parish office at (630) 897-1029
Email: poffice@blessedsacrament-na.org

Feb. 24: Mercy and Scripture talk in Rockford

John McGrath, Rockford Diocese director of Faith Formation, will be speaking on "Encountering the God of Mercy in Scripture and in Our Lives" at teye Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

The Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford is one of the eight Jubilee of Mercy parishes in the Rockford Diocese. Attending the service at the church may entitle you to a special indulgence.
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 24
Start Time: 07:00 pm
End Time: 08:00 pm
Location: Cathedral of St. Peter Fellowship Hall, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61103
Cost (if any): free
For more info
Call: Mary Cox at (815) 965-2765
Web Site: cathedralofstpeter.org
Email: mcox@cathedralofstpeter.org

Feb. 25: Lent Mission and Mercy in Aurora

St. Therese Church, Aurora, is hosting A Lenten Mission: A time to renew your encounter with Christ on the following dates: 
Feb. 25: Celebrating Mercy; 
March 1: The Parables of Mercy; 
March 8: The Saints of Mercy; 
March 15: Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy; 
March 22: Reconciliation -- Sacrament of Mercy. 
The mission talks will be presented simultaneously in English and in Spanish at St. Therese beginning at 7 p.m. each evening.  All are welcome to attend.
Dates: Feb. 25, March 1, 8, 15 and 22
Start Time: 07:00 pm
Location: St. Therese of Jesus Parish, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora, IL 60505
For more info
Call: 630/898-5422
Web Site: www.stojcc.org

Feb. 22-24: Lent Mission in Elizabeth and Savanna

Lent mission by Rev. Arthur Anderson, OFM. His topic is "Lent in the Jubilee Year of Mercy." Times and venues to be determined. Check bulletins or call parish the week before.
Date: Feb. 22-24
Start Time: TBA
Location: St. Mary Parish, 112 E Washington St., Elizabeth, IL or St. John the Evangelist Parish, 103 Savanna Road, Hanover, IL
Cost (if any): Donation
For more info
Call: Father Dennis Morrissy at (815) 858-3422
Web Site: www.churchofstmary-elizabeth-il.org
Email: st_mary@frontier.com

Feb. 17: Speaker on God's Mercy in Rockford

Inspirational speaker and motivational coach Judy Hehr will be speaking on "God's Ultimate Divine Mercy" as she shares her personal journey of transformation. Judy has been featured on EWTN's "The Journey Home" to share her personal testimony. Since 2008, Judy has been speaking publicly and further inspires members of the Catholic Church on her weekly radio show which attracts over 50,000 listeners. 
The Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford is one of the eight Jubilee of Mercy parishes in the Rockford Diocese. Attending the service at the church may entitle you to a special indulgence.
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 17
Start Time: 07:00 pm
End Time: 08:30 pm
Location: Cathedral of St. Peter Fellowship Hall, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61103
Cost (if any): free
For more info
Call: cathedral office at (815) 965-2765
Web Site: cathedralofstpeter.org
Email: mcox@cathedralofstpeter.org

Feb. 13: "The Roots of Mercy" in South Beloit

The Roots of Mercy presented by Fr. Mitchell Pacwa, S.J., 9 a.m. -- Old Testament Roots of Mercy; 10:15 a.m. -- New Testament Roots of Mercy; 11:15 a.m. -- lunch on your own; 12:30 p.m. -- Father Pacwa answers questions, followed by book and materials sale

Date: Feb. 13
Start Time: 09:00 am
End Time: 01:30 pm
Location: St. Peter Parish Didier Hall, 301 Oak Grove Ave., South Beloit, IL 61080
Cost (if any): advance tickets $20.00
For more info
Call: St. Peter Parish Center at (815) 525-3400
Web Site: http://st-peter-church.com/contact-us
Email: stpeter-sbeloit@rockforddiocese.org

Feb. 11: Holy Door Pilgrimage from Wonder Lake

Holy Door Pilgrimage sponsored by the Christ the King Parish Respect Life Ministry
Date: Feb. 11
Start Time: 08:00 am Mass before departure
End Time: around noon
Location: from Christ the King Parish, 5006 E. Wonder Lake Road
For more info
Call:  Mary Beth Valle, chairman, 815/337-1952

Feb. 8: Holy Door Pilgrimage from Aurora

Event or News information: During the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis invites us to contemplate the notion of a Holy Door, “a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.” 
Rosary High School's Parent’s Auxiliary Prayer group is planning a pilgrimage to the one of the eight of the Holy Doors designated by the Rockford Diocese. We will meet in the parking lot of Rosary High School, Monday, February 8, 2016; 9:15 a.m. and continue on to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Aurora. 
Transportation is by car pool, caravan, or on your own. Prayers and tour of the church is about an hour. Afterward, the group will meet for fellowship at Chili’s Restaurant, 1290 N. Orchard  Road, Aurora. 
RSVP by February 1 and let us know if you plan to join us at the church, for lunch, or for both at rosaryprayergroup@yahoo.com.
One may obtain a plenary indulgence under these usual conditions: 1) you must be in a state of grace when walking through the Holy Door, 2) confession and 3) Holy Communion within a week of the act of walking through the Holy Doors, 4) praying an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the pope’s intentions, 5) being free from an attachment to sin, and 6) performing the act of walking through the Holy Doors. You are able to obtain one plenary indulgence per day for yourself or for the dead, never for another living person.

You are invited to make a diocesan Pilgrimage of Mercy by visiting and passing through each of the Holy Doors in the Rockford Diocese. To commemorate your pilgrimage and encourage ongoing prayer for Mercy, you are invited to take along a “Year of Mercy Passport” (supplied at church or available online) and have it stamped at each Holy Door parish.
Date: Feb 8.
Start Time: 09:15 am
Location: from Rosary High School parking lot,
For more info
Email: rosaryprayergroup@yahoo.com. 

Jan. 31: Learn about annulment in Rockford

Event or News information: Annulments: What the Catholic Church Really Teaches 

Have you ever had a question about annulments? Perhaps you or a family member, a friend or a co-worker needs sound, clear information about the annulment process in a welcoming environment. Join us Sunday evening, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Tavern on Clark Restaurant, 755 Clark Dr., in Rockford. 

This free presentation is open to everyone, including those who are divorced and might be interested in exploring the annulment process, as well as those who would like to know more about what the Church teaches and what this process looks like. 

Be an ambassador of good news by being more informed on this subject. 

Please share this invitation with others who might need healing of the past and hope for the future. 

To RSVP for this event or for more information, please contact the Life & Family Evangelization Office at (815) 399-4300 or jcollins@rockforddiocese.org.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016
Start Time: 07:00 pm
End Time: 09:00 pm
Location: Tavern on Clark, 755 Clark Dr., Rockford, IL 61107
Cost (if any): Free
For more info
Call: Jennifer Collins at (815) 399-4300
Email: jcollins@rockforddiocese.org

Jan. 13: Prayer for Healing in Loves Park

An Hour of Prayer For Hope and Healing

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us join together in praying for all those affected by abortion, so that they may find hope and healing in the merciful love of God.

"Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal."

--St. Thomas More 

Your presence is a powerful and beautiful witness to God's mercy!

Hope to see you there...

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 13

Start Time: 06:00 pm

End Time: 07:00 pm

Location:  St. Bridget Parish, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park

For more info

Call: Kathy Berkes at (815) 399-4300

Email: kberkes@rockforddiocese.org