Bishop Jesse Mercado's Visit to Rockford Diocese

The Most Reverend Jesse Mercado, DD, Bishop of Paranaque, Philippines, spent two weeks in the U. S. and stayed mostly within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, specifically the Parish of Saint Mary in Huntley from November 16-30, 2004. What was originally  planned to be  two-week "rest and recreation" for the bishop became two weeks of tight schedule for dinners, visits and Masses. The Filipino-Americans of the Diocese of Rockford, both clergy and laity, enjoyed the Bishop's company and warm presence. Hopefully he will come back to stay with us a little longer! (To download a printable copy of the pictures, click on each thumbnail. The high resolution picture can then be saved by right-clicking and selecting "save as."

 

Bp Mercado playing basketball with some of the Filipino clergy at St. Margaret Mary, Algonquin. Another shot of the Bishop, now holding the ball. Trying to block Fr. Meude. Lunch at Fr. Cesar Pajarillo's rectory in Crystal Lake, IL, together with other Filipino clergy. Lunch hosted by Fr. Cesar Pajarillo in his rectory.
Some of the Filipino clergy who showed up during lunch at Fr. Pajarillo's place. Bp Mercado and Msgr Dan hermes, pastor of St, Thomas the Apostle Church in Crystal Lake, IL. Bp Mercado and the clergy of St. Thomas - Msgr Dan Hermes, Fr. Cesar Pajarillo, and Fr. gerry paderon (Guest Priest). Bp Francis Kane, Bp Mercado and Fr. Wayall inside Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, IL (Nov 27, 2004). Bp Francis Kane, Auxilliary of Chicago, treating Bp Mercado and Fr Pajarillo to an Italian lunch.
Bp Mercado, presiding at Mass at St. Thomas, with Fr. Pajarillo & Fr Paderon (Nov 27, 2004). Dinner at De. Monje's place (Nov 27, 2004). Bp Mercado and concelebrating clergy during the Misang Pilipino at St. Mary's in Huntley (Nov 28, 2004). Processional for the Misang Pilipino (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado blessing the advent wreath (Nov 28, 2004).
A moment during the offertory (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado and concelebrating priests during the Eucharistic Prayer (St. Mary's, Huntley, IL - Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado, Fr Pajarillo, and the Filipino leaders of St. Mary's Filipino Community (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with some of the Filipinos in Huntley (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with some of the Filipinos from St. John Neuman Church in St. Charles, IL (Nov 28, 2004).
Bp Mercado with some Filipinos from St. John Neuman (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with the delegration coming from St. Margaret Mary, Algonquin (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with some families from Huntley (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with some Filipinos from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Crystal Lake, with Fr Noel Jacob (Nov 28, 2004). some of the poeple who attended the Misang Pilipino pose with Bp Mercado (Nov 28, 2004).
A family from St. Mary's pose with Bp Mercado (Nov 28, 2004). A delegation of Filipinos from Elgin, IL with Bp Mercado (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with a group of Filipino-Americans from Huntley (Nov 28, 2004). Bp mercado with some of the Fil-Am kids in attendance (Nov 28, 2004). Bp Mercado with some of the Fil-Ams from SS Peter & Paul, Cary, IL with the president of the Fox Valley Filipino Ministry, Ernie Domingo (Nov 28, 2004).

A visit by a Filipino Bishop is a rare event in our community and we were just so happy to welcome Bishop Mercado with us. Now that a bridge has been built between the Diocese of Rockford though its Filipino clergy and lay faithful, and the Diocese of Paranaque in the person of the Bishop, we hope and pray that the seed of collaboration between the two local churches that developed out of the Bishop's visit will continue to grow and bear concrete fruit.

Hit Counter