Canada’s Holy Door, Québec City, Québec

(Observer photo/Courtesy Daniel Abel)

Destination: While there are eight Holy Doors in the Rockford Diocese selected by Bishop David Malloy, the only North American Holy Door specifically approved by the Vatican is the one at Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, which traces its roots to 1664.
Why to go: The idea of the Holy Door was conceived a few years before Notre-Dame de Québec parish’s 350th anniversary in 2014. The door was pierced into the Basilica-
Cathedral and its construction was funded by the Knights of Columbus. That year, more than 300,000 people from 42 countries, including 415 groups of pilgrims, passed through the door. More are expected this year.
In December 2015, the Holy Door was reopened for the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. Since pilgrimages to Holy Doors are encouraged during holy years, a whole team is ready to welcome pilgrims and visitors. A typical pilgrimage schedule includes recollection in the Pilgrims Garden, passing through the Holy Door, readings and prayers. Now a national historical monument, it was built in 1647. Notre-Dame de Québec offers a stylistic homogeneity even though it was extended, improved, bombarded, and burnt down over the centuries. After a major fire in 1922, the cathedral was restored using old plans and photographs. Among its main features are a neo-classical facade with two asymetrical towers, stained glass windows created in Munich and Paris, and three Casavant organs.   

(Observer photo/

Courtesy Daniel Abel)

(Observer photo/Courtesy Daniel Abel)

Access: The Holy Door is accessible through the Pilgrim’s Garden and up a flight of stairs. People with walkers or wheelchairs will need help.
Info: Address — Basilica-Cathedral, The Cathedral Secretariat, 16 rue De Buade, Québec (Québec), G1R 4A1 CANADA. Phone — +1-418-692-2533 Website — http://holydoorquebec.ca/en/
(Grand) Kid friendly: Yes, kids of all ages are more than welcome.
— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld with assistance from François Miville-Deschênes of Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Rockford Diocese Holy Doors Johnsburg, Sterling

(Observer file photos)

Destination: Eight churches in the Rockford Diocese have been selected to be part of a Jubilee of Mercy pilgrimage.
Why to go: As Bishop David Malloy has explained (see his column, Dec. 4), visiting these selected churches during the Year of Mercy — Dec. 8, 2015-Nov. 22, 2016 — will entitle the pilgrims to an indulgence. The diocese has designed a pilgrimage “passport” to record your journey. Download a copy at www.rockforddiocese.org/jubileeofmercy/files/Pilgrimage-Passport.pdf.
Each of the deaneries of the diocese has a holy door. Here are the McHenry and Sterling deanery parishes. (See the Dec. 4 Seasoned Observer for the Rockford Deanery, Jan. 8 for Aurora and DeKalb and Feb. 5 for Elgin and Freeport.) 
Johnsburg — St. John the Baptist: The first chapel for this McHenry Deanery parish was built in Johnsburg in 1843 on the Fred Schmitt farm, followed by another chapel on the Miller farm, and then by a first parish church. The second parish church in Johnsburg was being built in May 1850, when the Most Rev. James O. Van deVelde, Bishop of Chicago, visited the region. The frame building was used by missionaries until 1852, when the first resident pastor, Father John Jaconnett (1852-1853), was appointed. Father Jacek Junak, CR, pastor, invited Bishop Emeritus Robert Kurtz, CR, of Hamilton, Bermuda, to open the holy door Dec. 13.
Info: Address — St. John the Baptist, 2302 W. Church Street, Johnsburg Phone — 815/385-1477  Website —  www.stjohnsjohnsburg.org

Sterling — St. Mary: The earliest Catholic settlers in Sterling were attended by priests from Dixon. Father John Daly (1863-1876) was appointed by Bishop James Duggan of Chicago as the first resident pastor of Sterling in June 1863. In 1865, Father Daly began the building of a new brick church and rectory. In October 1893, Father James J. Bennett (1893-1909), became pastor. During his pastorate the old Presbyterian church being used by the parish was sold to the public school system and the present church and rectory were built in 1898. It was also at this time that the parish name was changed from St. Patrick to St. Mary.  Father James Keenan, pastor, opened the holy door Dec. 13.
Info: Address — St. Mary, 509 Avenue B, Sterling Phone — 815/625-0640 Website — www.stmarysterling.com
(Grand) Kid friendly: All the churches in the pilgrimage welcome children.
— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Rockford Diocese Holy Doors Elgin, Galena

(Observer file photos)

Destination: Eight churches in the Rockford Diocese have been selected to be part of a Jubilee of Mercy pilgrimage.
Why to go: As Bishop David Malloy has explained (see his column, Dec. 4), visiting these selected churches during the Year of Mercy — Dec. 8, 2015-Nov. 22, 2016 — will entitle the pilgrims to an indulgence.The diocese has designed a pilgrimage “passport” to record your journey. Download a copy at www.rockforddiocese.org/jubileeofmercy/files/Pilgrimage-Passport.pdf
Each of the deaneries of the diocese has a holy door. Here are the Elgin and Freeport deanery parishes. (See the Dec. 4 Seasoned Observer for the Rockford Deanery and Jan. 8 for the Aurora and DeKalb deaneries.)
Elgin — St. Thomas More: On March 23, 1959, Bishop Loras T. Lane created the new parish of St. Thomas More by dividing St. Laurence Parish and giving the new parish 15 acres to build a church. The founding pastor, Father Walter C. Roberts (1959-1970) arrived at St. Thomas More on Friday, April 10, 1959, and celebrated the first Sunday Masses two days later at the Highland Avenue School gym. Father Richard Rosinski, pastor, opened the holy door Dec. 13. The holy door is accessible 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, during Mass times on the weekend, or by appointment.
Info: Address — St. Thomas More, 215 Thomas More Dr. Phone — 847/888-1682  Website —  www.stthomasmorechurch.org
Galena — St. Michael: Galena, in the Freeport Deanery, is the home of St. Michael Parish, the oldest parish in the Diocese of Rockford. Bishop Joseph Rosati of St. Louis appointed a pastor here in 1832, five years before the first parish was established in Chicago. On Aug. 22, 1832, Father John McMahon (1832-1833) was appointed as the first resident pastor in what is now the Diocese of Rockford. It was also served by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, an early missionary in the Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin tri-state area. In 1993, St. John Paul II declared Father Mazzuchelli venerable, the first step toward sainthood. Father David Reese, parochial administrator, opened the holy door Dec. 13.
Info: Address — St. Michael, 227 S. Bench St. Phone — 815/777-2053 Website — www.catholicgalena.org
(Grand) Kid friendly: All the churches in the pilgrimage welcome children.
— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Rockford Diocese Holy Doors - Aurora, DeKalb

Aurora - Our Lady of Good Counsel

DeKalb - St. Mary

Destination: Eight churches in the Rockford Diocese have been selected to be part of a Jubilee of Mercy pilgrimage.
Why to go: As Bishop David Malloy has explained (see his column, Dec. 4), visiting these selected churches during the Year of Mercy — Dec. 8, 2015-Nov. 22, 2016 — will entitle the pilgrims to an indulgence.The diocese has designed a pilgrimage “passport” to record your journey. Download a copy at http://www.rockforddiocese.org/jubileeofmercy/files/Pilgrimage-Passport.pdf
Each of the deaneries of the diocese has a holy door. Here are the Aurora and DeKalb deanery parishes. (See the Dec. 4 Seasoned Observer for the Rockford Deanery.)
Aurora — Our Lady of Good Counsel: In 1908, Peter Hilgen and Conrad Reuland, sought permission from Father Charles Schnueckel, pastor of St. Nicholas, to start a new parish in the southeastern section of Aurora. Before he could give permission, Father Schnueckel died suddenly on Oct. 14, 1908, shortly after Aurora had become part of the newly created Diocese of Rockford, with Auxiliary Bishop Peter J. Muldoon of Chicago as its first bishop.
Father Timothy Mulcahey opened the holy door Dec. 13.
Info: Address: Our Lady of Good Counsel, 620 S. Fifth St. Phone: 630/851-1100  Website:  www.ourladyofgoodcounsel.net
DeKalb — St. Mary: From 1850, the parish of St. Mary in DeKalb was attended from the cathedral in Chicago. At that time Mass was said in the homes of Catholic pioneers and in the town hall. When the weather was pleasant, outdoor Mass was celebrated in a nearby grove of trees.
Father Dean Russell opened the holy door Dec. 13.
Info: Address: St. Mary, 329 Pine St. Phone: 815/758-5432 Website: www.stmarydekalb.org
(Grand) Kid friendly: All the churches in the pilgrimage welcome children.
— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org