Stewardship – A Way of Life
Ministries of the Diocese of Rockford
 OFFICIALS
OF THE DIOCESE
BISHOP
A bishop, by divine
institution, carries on the work of the apostles. By reason of
episcopal consecration, he shares in the triple apostolic function of a
teacher of doctrine, a priest of sacred worship, and minister of church
government. Bishops are responsible to act in council to guide the
Church. The bishop to whom a particular or local church is
entrusted is called a diocesan bishop or a residential bishop. All
other bishops receive Titular Sees over which they exercise no pastoral
authority.
When the pastoral needs of a diocese or archdiocese
warrant, an auxiliary bishop may be assigned to aid the residential
bishop in governing his diocese. An auxiliary bishop is assigned
when the residential bishop needs assistance in carrying out his duties
because of ill health, advanced age, or amount of work. An
auxiliary bishop does not have the right of succession within his
diocese.
In special circumstances, such as the advanced age or
ill health of a diocesan bishop, a coadjutator bishop may be appointed
to assist the principal bishop of a diocese. Coadjutor bishops
have the right of succession in the diocese of their appointment from
the time the See becomes vacant upon the death or retirement of its
bishop.
VICAR GENERAL
A bishop or priest
appointed to participate in the executive (administrative) governance of
the diocese with executive jurisdiction as a deputy of the diocesan
bishop is a vicar general. The appointment of a vicar general is
mandatory for every diocese. This office is designed to facilitate
and unify diocesan administration.
MODERATOR OF THE CURIA
The Moderator
of the Curia is a bishop or priest, appointed by the diocesan bishop,
who is concerned with administration and other services to the people of
the parishes.
CHANCELLOR/VICE CHANCELLOR
The
chancellor (or the chancery) evolved from the practice in the early
Church of appointing an official to sign and preserve the letters of the
bishop. The function of the chancellor in the present day is
gathering, arranging, and safeguarding the acts of the diocesan curia.
Dispensations and other official documents also originate from the
chancery. In many dioceses the chancellor continues to exercise
ordinary jurisdiction as delegated by the diocesan bishop and may be
assisted by an official, the vice-chancellor.
VICAR FORANE (DEAN)
The title of a
priest appointed by the bishop to aid him in administering the parishes
in a specified area, called a “deanery ” or “vicariates forane.”
The function of a dean, or vicar forane, involves promotion,
coordination, and supervision of the common pastoral activity within the
deanery or vicariate.
JUDICIAL VICAR
By Church law, the
diocesan bishop is the judge of all cases in the diocesan tribunal of
first trial. He must appoint a priest with ordinary power to judge
cases not reserved to the bishop himself. This priest must have a
graduate degree in canon law. He is called the judicial vicar, and
is sometimes referred to as the chief judge or “officialis.” He
may be given another priest as an assistant with the title of adjutant
judicial vicar.
VICAR
The appointment of a priest or
a bishop as an episcopal vicar is an option given to a diocesan bishop
when he needs a deputy for governing a specific territory within the
diocese, a group of persons or a specific rite, or a type of apostolic
work within the diocese. In the Diocese of Rockford, the bishop
has appointed the following episcopal vicars: Vicar for Clergy and
Religious and Vicar for Hispanic Ministry.
OFFICES AND MINISTRIES
OFFICE
OF ACCOUNTING AND DATA PROCESSING
This office is
responsible for the parish uniform accounting system, central
payroll, tax sheltered annuity program, parish lists and labels,
high school and diocesan agency accounting, computer support
(Parish Data Systems, WordPerfect, and Quickbooks), internal audits, the
diocesan energy programs (natural gas and electric), and general tax
compliance issues.
BISHOP LANE
RETREAT CENTER
This serene and peaceful retreat
complex consists of the main retreat center and a family youth
center. Among the beautiful wooded and
open greenery areas there is a grotto of Mary and a walking path
with stations of the cross. Some of the various retreats,
conference/meeting, and programs include: individual and group
retreats, marriage preparation and enrichment programs, many
youth and family retreats and gatherings, and diocesan/parish
related events. The Bishop Lane Retreat Center is located at
7708 E. McGregor Road, southwest of Rockford.
CAMPUS
MINISTRY
The campus ministry is available to students,
faculties, and staff of Northern Illinois University, Rockford
College, and Aurora University. The focus is on forming faith
community, learning the faith, shaping Christian conscience,
educating for justice, facilitating personal development, and
developing future leaders.
CATHOLIC
CHARITIES
In reaching out to people and communities
throughout our diocese, this ministry touches many through
programs of Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford, refugee
resettlement, long-term care ombudsman services, and physician
referral services. The Catholic Charities offices provide a
wide range of services to children and families in need
including: counseling, foster care, adoption, parenting
education, bilingual outreach, and emergency assistance.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and Operation Rice Bowl
is coordinated through this agency. Catholic Charities also
provides immigration and refugee resettlement services, advocacy
and assistance to the elderly in nursing homes, and physician
referral services for individuals and families on Medicaid. The
area Catholic Charities offices and satellites are located in
the following towns and serve surrounding deaneries: Aurora,
Belvidere, DeKalb, Dixon, Elgin, Freeport, Galena, Harvard,
McHenry, Rockford, and Sterling.
CATHOLIC
EDUCATION
The Director of the Department of
Educational Services focuses on the overall vision and
development of quality programs for the educational ministries
of the parishes and diocese. This includes supervising the
campus ministry program and the following diocesan entities:
Catholic schools department provides leadership and direction in
the operation and management of the diocese's 49 Catholic
schools serving approximately 14,500 students. The Religious
Education and Formation department provides resources for the
parish directors and coordinators of religious education serving
29,500 children. Personnel staff provides assistance for the
screening of qualified applicants for elementary principals,
secondary chief administrators, and directors/coordinators of
religious education positions. They also accept applications
for elementary teachers and keep an updated data bank of the
names of potential teachers. The Assistant Superintendent
develops curriculum guidelines for elementary schools. This is
accomplished by following a rotating schedule to cover core
curricula and to assure the Catholic identity of the material
taught. Joint efforts of the schools department and the
Religious Education department offer continual catechetical
formation for the teachers and catechists of the Diocese of
Rockford.
THE
CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
Established in 1987, the Catholic
Foundation for the People of the Diocese of Rockford is an
umbrella endowment fund. Parishes, schools and diocesan
agencies may establish endowment accounts. This endowment fund
accepts gifts whose principal (corpus) remains untouched for
perpetuity, but allows for distribution of earnings. Motivated
by good stewardship practices, the Catholic Foundation provides
the individual participants (accounts) the advantages of more
favorable investment strategies and documented accountability,
while avoiding duplication of legal and administrative costs.
CHANCERY
ADMINSTRATION
Chancery Administration is a general
term that applies to the overall administrative expenses related
to the operations of the Bishop’s main offices such as the
Vicars General, Chancellor and Master of Ceremonies.
CHARISMATICS
Charismatic renewal within the church is
used by the Holy Spirit to foster, nurture, support and build
upon the church, and the body of Christ. The group identifies
how the Holy Spirit moves among the people, and discerns how
best to support the needs of the people as they grow in their
world with the Lord. Parishes may organize prayer groups, which
would include a liaison, to work in conjunction with their area
renewal team.
OFFICE OF
CLERGY & RELIGIOUS
This office assists the bishop in
matters pertaining to priests and their appointments and to
enhance priestly life by providing support, assistance, concern
for wellness, and education. It functions to supervise programs
for the retired priests, permanent deacons, and Women Religious.
The Vicar for Clergy and Religious is directly involved in
working toward these diocesan goals:
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To recognize and respond to the
critical situation in our diocese regarding the diminishing
number of priests and religious men and women in the face of
a rapidly expanding population.
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To enable diocesan personnel to
fulfill their roles in the mission of the diocese.
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To continue to provide an
effective diocesan structure responsive to the needs of the
Rockford Diocese.
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To be in contact with the
priests of the diocese, through personal interviews, phone
contacts, and diocesan and social gatherings so as to have
knowledge of their strengths, skills, and personal struggles
for maximum effectiveness in ministry.
-
To monitor the health of our
diocesan priests and intervene when any kind of problem
surfaces, physically or psychologically.
CLERGY
PERSONNEL COMMISSION
The Clergy Personnel Commission
is appointed by the Vicar for Clergy and Religious and consists
of five members. The commission serves as an advisory group to
the Vicar for Clergy, who chairs the personnel board, and also
acts as a committee for “priestly life and ministry.”
CLERGY
RELIEF DIOCESAN CLERGY RETIREMENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE
The Clergy Relief Society ministers to the clergy for the
purpose of providing financial relief and health insurance
coverage to its priest members when retired, or disabled by
sickness or accident.
COLLEGE OF
CONSULTORS
The diocesan bishop presides over the
College of Consultors and the priests who make up the College of
Consultors are selected from the members of the Presbyteral
Council. The diocesan bishop convenes the College of Consultors
in order to perform the more important acts of administration in
light of the economic situation of the diocese.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
This office publishes
The Observer, official diocesan newspaper, which circulates to
more than 30,000 homes weekly and to more than 70,000 homes
several times a year. The office also produces a weekly radio
program and daily TV spot featuring Bishop Doran, prepares
various print, audio and video media to meet the needs of the
diocese and maintains the diocese’s dynamic web site,
http://www.rockforddiocese.org
CONCILIATION & ARBITRATION
Conciliation and
arbitration members are called together only as necessity
requires to address the needs of diocesan employees. The Office
of Conciliation and Arbitration provides employees with a
continuance, after all internal channels have been exhausted, in
the grievance process. A department head or the employee may
refer issues to conciliation, and if necessary proceed to
arbitration. The general supervision of the Commission is the
competence of the Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Rockford.
DIOCESAN
AFFLIATIONS
The Diocese of Rockford is officially
united with the following organizations and is responsible for a
portion of their support. The Vatican Assessment relates to
assistance given by each Diocese in the US for the support of
the day to day operations of the Holy Father and his ministry to
the Universal Church. The assessment is based on the same
formula that each diocese uses to support its own Conference of
Catholic Bishops. The USCCB is based in Washington DC,
organized into various departments and addresses the needs of
the Catholic Church in the US. The Catholic Conference of
Illinois is made up of the six Catholic Dioceses in Illinois and
addresses the common needs of the Illinois Dioceses. The
Metropolitan Tribunal is the Court of Second Instance to which
all decrees of annulment issued by an Illinois Diocesan Tribunal
is automatically appealed. The Illinois Conference of Churches
is an ecumenical body established to promote
inter-denominational dialogue and action. The Illinois Catholic
Health Association is made up of Catholic Health Care Providers
in Illinois and seeks to coordinate services and advocate for
the needs of the member organizations.
DIOCESAN
CEMETERIES
There are five diocesan cemeteries within
the diocese of Rockford. They are located in Aurora, Geneva,
Elgin, and Rockford with three regional offices located in
Rockford, Aurora, and Elgin. The diocesan cemeterians have a threefold mission: to bury the dead
of Catholic communities with dignity and grace, to care for the
families in their time of grief, and to maintain an attractive
and peaceful setting where their loved one’s physical remains
are buried. The regional cemetery offices also offer support,
reference, and help to the parish cemeteries in the diocese.
All cemeterians of the diocese meet regularly to learn, share,
and grow in their ministry.
DIOCESAN
COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
The purpose of this umbrella
organization representing parish and diocesan Catholic Women’s
Groups is to support, educate, and empower in the areas of
spirituality, leadership and service. This diocesan council is
lined with the State and National Council of Catholic Women. The
US Catholic Bishops encouraged the creation of this organization
in the early 1920s.
DIOCESAN
SERVICES
This is generic term to group a number of
budget line items such as, Central Administration Building which
is the operating expenses (not principal and interest) for the
central office building housing the majority of diocesan
ministries. Legal and Audit are some of the expenses for the
Diocesan Legal Department and the outside auditors. Accumulated
deficits from the Vineyard Store, when owned the diocese, is
being amortized over a 15 year period
DIOCESAN
INVESTMENT AND LOAN OFFICE (DIAL)
DIAL is the diocesan
saving and loan program. The main purposes of this program are
to provide funds for self-financing of capital and maintenance
projects within the Diocese of Rockford at reasonable (i.e.,
less-than-market rate) interest costs, and to return a
higher-than-market rate of interest to diocesan entities that
have funds on deposit with DIAL. Diocesan entities are
prohibited from maintaining local investments such as savings
accounts, certificates of deposit, bonds, and equity
investments. Excess funds, defined as those in excess of 60
days operating expenses, must be deposited with DIAL. The
office mails monthly statements of both deposit accounts and
loan balances. The DIAL office also serves as a billing function
for other diocesan operations such as central Catholic high
school assessments and property and liability insurance
billings.
DEAF
APOSTOLATE
The Apostolate provides spiritual,
sacramental and social activities for members of the Diocese who
are deaf. Interpreted Masses are scheduled on a regular basis
in parishes throughout the diocese. For more information contact
the Deaf Apostolate Office or email: RockfordHI@aol.com
DIVINE
WORSHIP
The Office of Divine Worship provides
leadership training and resources to parish leaders and acts as
a resource for the rite of Christian initiation for adults. The
divine worship office also provides services for major
ceremonies at the cathedral and throughout the diocese.
ECUMENISM
The Ecumenism Committee represents the Catholic Church as it
relates to other faith communities. The committee participates
in dialogue groups and represents the Diocese of Rockford on the
Board of the Illinois Conference of Churches.
OFFICE OF
FAMILY LIFE
The Office of Family Life provides
Christian-based programs for families, couples, and individuals
who seek opportunities to enrich and strengthen their family
life. Some of the programs include: marriage preparation,
ministry to married and remarried, ministry for divorced
Catholics, and workshops for parenting and family life topics.
FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
This multi-tasked office manages
many administrative components of the diocese which include:
Diocesan buildings and properties, legal matters, human
resources, auditing services, and diocesan assessments and
investments. Administrative supervision is provided for the
Accounting & Data Processing Office, Diocesan Cemeteries,
Property Management Office, and Stewardship Development Office.
This office also acts in a consulting capacity with parishes in
financial areas.
FINANCE
COUNCIL
The Finance Council is appointed by the Bishop
and the Bishop, or his delegates, preside over the council. It
is composed of at least three members of the Christian faithful
of outstanding integrity, skilled in financial affairs and in
civil law. Members are named for a five-year term and may be
reappointed for another five years.
HEALTH
INSURANCE - EMPLOYEES
The health insurance office is
responsible for the enrollment and administration of the various
components of the health care plan (health, dental, vision,
prescription, life insurance, and short and long-term disability
programs) as well as the tax sheltered annuity program. The
office also supplies enrollment cards and disability forms,
distributes ID cards and booklets to new enrollees, and answers
insurance benefit questions. Employees electing pre-tax
deductions for either tax sheltered annuities (TSA) or dependent
insurance (section 125) should contact this office.
HISPANIC
MINISTRY
This office acts as a personal representative
of the bishop in matters relating to the ministry of the
Hispanic people of the diocese. It is responsible for
implementing the U.S. bishops' national plan for Hispanic
ministry, supervises the regional Hispanic centers, and acts as
a bridge between the Hispanic community and other groups.
Hispanic ministry offices serve the entire eleven counties of
the diocese, e.g., Aurora, DeKalb, Elgin, Freeport, Harvard,
Rochelle, Rockford, and Sterling. Through the regional offices
the goals of the national plan for Hispanic ministry are
implemented with the regional centers serving the surrounding
deaneries. The goals of the office are small Christian
communities, evangelization, justice and peace, ministry
formation, holistic education and sacramental and liturgical
preparation.
IMMIGRATION
AND REFUGEE SERVICES
The immigration and refugee
services program of Catholic Charities is committed to serving
the needs of refugees, immigrants, and those seeking asylum in
our country. The work in the area of resettlement involves the
reception of the refugee families and providing core services to
facilitate easy self-sufficiency. Volunteers are either
individuals or parishes that act as sponsors in welcoming and
meeting the initial needs of refugee families. Over the years,
the ethnicities of the refugees have changed as crisis spots in
the world change.
INTERNAL
AUDITOR
The Internal Auditor reviews the financial
status and procedures of the diocesan parishes and agencies to
assist the pastors and directors with improving compliance with
governmental and diocesan rules. Another important function of
the Internal Auditor is to assist in the development of best
practices processes and procedures to help minimize exposure to
financial risk. These services are provided through periodic
audit visits to each parish and agency followed up by a report
offering recommendations for improvement.
LAY
MINISTRY FORMATION
The Ministry Formation Office is a
two-year program and provides basic knowledge and skills for
candidates from the diocese who are accepting leadership
positions on behalf of their parishes. The formation emphasis
is on: prayer, theology, scripture, history, communication, and
leadership skills.
LAY
EMPLOYEE PENSION
Functions relating to the
administration of the lay employee pension are performed by this
office. Assistance is given in the areas of eligibility,
contribution calculations, benefit accumulations, annual
participant statements, and requirements upon a participant’s
leaving the plan.
LEGAL
SERVICES
The Office of Legal Services provides advice
and counsel on legal matters and oversees litigation involving
the Diocese and closes transactions with third parties on behalf
of the Diocese.
DIOCESAN
PASTORAL COUNCIL
A Pastoral Council is established
under the authority of the bishop to investigate all matters
which pertain to the pastoral work day, consider their purpose,
and propose practical conclusions. The Diocesan Pastoral
Council consists of the Christian faithful, clerics and
religious, and lay persons who are designated by the Bishop.
PERMANENT
DIACONATE OFFICE
The Permanent Diaconate Office
prepares and conducts a five-year formation program preparing
men for ordination to the permanent diaconate. It also assists
the ordained deacons by providing retreats, enrichment
workshops, and ministry supervision.
PRESBYTERAL
COUNCIL
A Presbyteral Council is established in each
diocese and is a body of priests who act as a senate to the
bishop, representing the presbyterate. The Presbyteral Council
is convened by the bishop as an aid in the governance of the
diocese according to the norm of the law for the pastoral
welfare of the people. The Presbyteral Council offers a
consultative vote to the bishop for his discernment, but council
consent is required only in cases expressly defined by law.
PROPERTY
AND LIABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM
The property and
liability insurance is served by Gallagher Bassett Services,
Inc. and administers the following for the diocese: property
insurance, liability insurance, priest’s automobile insurance,
and workers’ compensation insurance.
RESEARCH
AND PLANNING
Parish statistics, profiles, and parish
boundary maps are a part of the planning and research services
to the bishop, vicars, diocesan offices, and parishes. This
office maintains demographic data bases, and provides analyses
for short and long-term goal setting as well as the coordination
of the diocesan planning committee.
RESPECT
LIFE OFFICE
The focus of pro-life is on service,
political action, and education in support of all human life
from the first moment of conception to the last brain wave of
old age. There are many meetings, mailings, and grass roots
support groups, which inspire love of the unborn and the aged.
SOCIAL
MINISTRIES
Social Ministries serves as a personal
representative of the bishop for matters relating to the
Church's efforts to address the communities’ social needs in the
diocese and on various committees and commissions. This is
accomplished through the delivery of professional social
services through actions for social justice. Social ministries
supervise Catholic Charities, and St. Elizabeth Catholic
Community Center Accumulated deficits from inadequate and/or
decreased governmental funding are being amortized for social
ministries that were formerly operated by the Diocese, such as,
the Diocesan Nursing Home in Freeport and Martin House in
Rockford.
ST.
ELIZABETH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CENTER
An inner-city
ministry existing since the early 1900's, St. Elizabeth Center
provides many social services to low-income residents of
southwest Rockford. Services include operating a soup kitchen,
preschool programs, youth recreation, and youth counseling.
TRIBUNAL
A tribunal court is a name given to the persons who exercise the
Church’s judicial powers. By its very nature, this procedure
involves the determination of a legal controversy. A major
concern of tribunals is conducting the process leading to the
dissolution or annulment of marriages. Decisions are based on
Church law. The Tribunal also assists the person in
understanding the importance of marriage, and their rights and
duties as Christians.
VOCATIONS
OFFICE
The Office of Vocations supports the efforts to
recruit people who are interested in exploring the call to
ordained ministry for the diocese. This office supervises
placement of seminarians in parish-based training experiences,
prepares men for priesthood, and maintains contact with the
seminaries and the candidates.
WOMEN
RELIGIOUS MINISTRY
The Office of Women Religious
Ministry acts as a personal representative of the bishop and for
the many women religious of communities serving within the
diocese. It ministers to both the bishop and the religious in
their efforts to cooperate with one another, and integrates the
work of the religious into pastoral activities in the diocese.
YOUTH &
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
The office strives to provide
evangelization and spiritual formation activities for the youth
of the diocese. The
office also continues to support, train, and provide resources
to parish youth leaders. The office also sponsors programs such
as the National Evangelization Team in various parishes. Also
to better serve diocesan youth, the Diocese built the Holy
Family of Nazareth Center at Bishop Lane Retreat House. Half of
its principal and interests for construction are being amortized
over a 15 year period of time
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