Catholic Charities
Golf Outing & Dinner
Tournaments
10th Annual Catholic Charities
Whiteside & Lee County
Golf Outing
Saturday June 5, 2010
(Click for Details)
23rd Annual Catholic Charities
Children's Challenge
Golf Outing & Dinner
Wednesday June 23, 2010
(Click for Details)
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A Note From Catholic Charities and Frank Vonch
Catholic Charities is very grateful for Caritas and its members. It is due to the gracious time and efforts of the Caritas members that our foster children are able to have what may seem to be a practical necessity; however, in the foster care system these are uncovered costs that without the funds raised by Caritas, these children would most likkely have to go without. The following are a few examples of how the Caritas monies raised for the Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford Foster Care Program helped our foster children: School Supplies, Summer Camps, Tutoring and Mentoring Activities, YMCA Passes, Eyeglasses, Replacement Beds, Cribs, Dressers, Gas Cards and Bus Passes, Medications not covered by the medical card.
Our Caritas members exemplify the name that they carry of Caritas, which means "love and compassion". Love which is the greatest of the theological virtues which are "character qualities associated with salvation" and the word compassion meaning to "suffer with". Are a complete example of what it is to love, for love equals sacrifice and what it means to bear the name Christian.
On behalf of Catholic Charities and those we serve, we pray that our heavenly Father will abundantly bless and reward you for all that you continuously do for the foster children.
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You Can Join
Catholics at the Capitol
Bishop Thomas G. Doran along with all the Illinois bishops and Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. will join with the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI), to host the second Catholics at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 3rd in Springfield.
This event is a unique opportunity to come to Springfield to meet with elected officials and enhance the inclusion of our gospel values in the public square. All parishes are urged to send representatives to this event. The legislative initiatives that will be the focus of Catholics at the Capitol include:
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Advocating for funding for programs that help Catholic schools purchase textbooks and meet other mandates.
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Maintaining funding for and supporting English and adult education for immigrants to provide effective opportunities for English proficiency, job readiness, and advanced learning.
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Opposing continued efforts to prevent implementation of the parental notification statute and supporting legislation to require that a woman seeking an abortion be provided the opportunity to view a sonogram of her unborn child.
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Protecting traditional marriage and opposing legislation for same-sex marriage or similarly defined civil unions.
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Maintaining the social services safety net by opposing any funding reductions to human services.
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Supporting efforts for the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois.
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The Diocesan Respect Life Office will sponsor a bus ride to and from Springfield for Parish Respect Life Coordinators for $30. Anyone else interested in the bus trip can call Laura Christenson at 815/399-4300 ext. 381 For further information on Catholics at the Capitol go to www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org.
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Baby Bottle Fundraiser
Catholic Charities wants to thank Fr. Burt Absalon, Fr. John Lovell, the parishioners of St. Bridget, the school children of St. Bridget School and the CCD class of St. Bridget, Loves Park for the baby bottle fundraiser they did for Catholic Charities Crisis Pregnancy and Adoption programs and raising an unbelievable amount of $10,419.88 !
This donation will make a difference in the lives of women who are faced with a crisis pregnancy choose life for their unborn child. We also want to send a special thank you to Steve Donovan, Parish Respect Coordinator for the Parish who organized and promoted the event and did a sensational job !!
Pictured Left to Right:
Steven Donovan, PRLC, St. Bridget
Geoff Franklin, Associate Director, Catholic Charities
Fr. Burt Absalon, Pastor, St. Bridgets
Michele Crosswhite, Administrative Assistant, Catholic Charities
Fr. John Lovell, Parochial Vicar and Associate Director of Vocations, St. Bridget/Diocese of Rockford
Hugh O'Connor, Parishioner, St. Bridget
Fran Reichensperger, Business Manager, St. Bridget
St. Bridget School Children raised $1600 towards the nourish life baby bottle fundraiser held at St. Bridget Church.
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PARENTING CLASSES AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES
The parenting program offered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford is designed to assist parents with exploring and enhancing their parenting skills. Catholic Charities offers 16 to 20 parenting classes annually. Classes are available mornings, afternoon and evenings. Each series is 10 to12-weeks and meets one-time weekly for two and a half hours each session.
There is a cost for this class. We offer a sliding scale fee and there may be grants or funds available. Please inquire to see if you qualify. Upon completion, participants will earn a certificate for their attendance. This class is for parents, foster parents, grandparents, guardians, childcare providers, community agencies, and those who may be involved with DCFS, Court, Probation are welcomed.
Would you like to enhance your skills in the following areas?
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Managing difficult behaviors, learning constructive discipline and teaching self-control?
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Helping to increase your child’s self-esteem?
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Achieve knowledge of age-appropriate guidance and effective communication techniques?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we’ve got good news.
Help is available!!! Classes are offered in Rockford, Belvidere and Freeport Illinois. Please see the attached schedule for specific dates, time and locations of classes that are available to register.
CLICK FOR CLASS SCHEDULES
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Northern Illinois Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Wellness Fun Fair
Catholic Charities had the privilege of participating in the Northern Illinois Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Wellness Fun Fair this year. The Northern Illinois Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Wellness Fair is a non-for-profit organization. Their goal is to bring awareness of health concerns impacting our community and youth and to discourage youth from getting involved with drugs and to encourage community involvement and volunteerism. The annual Fun Fair is an opportunity for community agencies and businesses to participate in an effort to educate families and youth through displaying exhibits of the services, crafts, games, entertainment and sampling a variety of different foods offered by participating vendors.
The Program Coordinator for this event was Paul Perrone, the host site for this event was Boylan High School on October 17, 2009. Over 500 youth and their families participated in the games, activities and food. This was a great opportunity for community agencies to network and make the families aware of the services available in and around the Rockford area. Inquiries regarding Catholic Charities services were for the Ombudsman and Counseling services. Catholic Charities received a certificate of recognition for our participation in this years event.
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Volunteer Training
Volunteer Ombudsman
Catholic Charities Seeks Volunteers
To Advocate For Nursing Home Residents
Catholic Charities Sterling Office
Sterling, IL
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Freeport
(Click for More Information)
(Volunteer Application)
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Happy Holidays !!!
Everybody Had A Great Time At The
Catholic Charities Foster Care
Christmas Party
At Carlson Ice Arena on
Saturday December 12 2009
Hammy the Hog & Santa
Pizza Time
Catholic Charities Staff
A Special Thank You to everybody who helped make this event possible
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Caritas 2010 - Hands of Love
Mark your calendars for Caritas 2010 on Wednesday April 21 at Giovanni's Restaurant.
Come and bring your friends for a delectable lunch and up to date fashion show. If you are interested in donating an item for the silent auction or the raffle or want to purchase a ticket for $35 please contact:
Stephanie Deery at 815-962-3203 or
Debra Tarara at 815-623-6756
See you there...
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Baby Bottle Fundraisers for Catholic Charities
Crisis Pregnancy and Adoption Programs
A Big Thank You To:
SS. Peter and Paul in Cary, IL
St. Bridget in Loves Park, IL
for hosting a baby bottle fundraiser
for Catholic Charities !!
A Special THANK YOU to everybody
who participated in the baby bottle fundraiser
for Catholic Charities
STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISER DATES !
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Catholic Charities - Diocese of Rockford receives a 2009 Parent Law Implementation Plan Award
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St. ElizabethCatholic
St. Elizabeth Community Center News
(Click for Details)
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St. Elizabeth Community Center
Hosted its Annual
Thanksgiving Meal
on November 18, 2009
Special Thank You to all who participated in the Event
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