May 9, 2019: New Assignments for Diocesan Priests
Dear Brothers & Sisters:
This week the Rockford Clergy received emails from the Vicar of the Clergy, Msgr. Dan Deutsch about general transfers of priests for new assignments effective by June 2019. And he mentioned the list will be published too in the Diocesan Paper by this weekend. I was not called and so, I am not in the list.
Briefly, I feel I have been blessed to serve our two beautiful parish communities here in St. John the Baptist, Savanna and SS. John & Catherine, Mt. Carroll. Maybe, it is good to share the background of my assignment since this has been my second time here. I remember I asked Msgr. Dan “how long would I be there” and the answer was “just a few months.” Providentially it has become into “three and a half years.” Thank you for welcoming me and truly participating in our parish communities.
Honestly, I just hope that I have helped around here again in my own little ways. I will continue to serve God’s people for another year as Parochial Administrator, however, take note you are getting already an older and retirable priest. You deserve a younger and dynamic servant.
I sincerely thank you all, especially the Pastoral Council Officers and members who have been willing to share their lives for the Lord. I hope we can do more – become more of what we believe in the Lord Jesus and our Catholic Church.
Prayerfully yours,
Lenten Message - March 8, 2019
I raised the other day in Church this question “What could have been our thoughts or ways of celebrating the 40 days of Lent?” I heard answers like “that it was time to prepare ourselves for meaningful Easter,” “time to be conscious and doing religious activities in Church to grow in faith,” “taking more time in prayer and loving sacrifice for others” . . . It was good to recollect and grasp more wisdom for this Lenten Season 2019.
Meanwhile, our parish is taking timely efforts to organize more ways of communication and information for our faith formation. Technology and the internet have lots to offer. So, this parish website and the soon to be implemented ‘my Parish app’ will be tools to connect and inform us together to grow in faith and wisdom. We need help to move forward by surrounding ourselves with what will protect and promote our Catholic beliefs and values. Otherwise, our time and ways can easily be drowned and unwittingly slip away with a ‘throw-away culture.”
With forty days of Lent we aim to refocus our ways of thinking and doing that will truly ground us in good and joyful bond with our Lord Jesus. In this season, let us welcome the Spirit of the Lord to experience more his mercy and loving presence. Then, our very personal experience of change will bring light and unity with our families and fellow parishioners.
May we have more moments in our families and in our parishes to rekindle our faith and fellowship. Loving Father, bless our wish. Amen.
February 2019
Words of welcome and joy!
I greatly appreciate what Dave Engaldo has put together in our St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Parish Website. I just took a tour and was thrilled to find a very comprehensive content for parishioners and guests to know and love more our parish community. This is good news!
To come up with a parish website has been on my bucket list since I came back for almost three years already. With this, we find the parish become more real and participative in parish life.
Thanks again to Dave, our Parish Pastoral Council Chairman for helping us have this tool and see our dreams and ways of living our Christian and Catholic faith. Thanks to Shane Grissinger for the initial help and to Christine Brown, our Parish Staff in organizing and putting this in world stage.
Hopefully, I will regularly be with you with helping messages for us all. My prayers for you and all.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Moises Apostol