Join us -- Don't let an email problem keep you away

I just learned that email from some people who tried to register for our first book club session didn't make it to my mailbox.
We don't want to leave anyone out, so please feel free to join us at 4 p.m., Jan. 9, at the Rockford Diocesan Administration Center, 555 Colman Center Dr., Rockford, IL 61125.
If you'd like to make sure you're on the list, feel free to call me at 815/399-4300, ext. 405.

Sharon Boehlefeld

Features Editor

The Observer

We're Gathering Wednesday

The weather looks great for our Wednesday afternoon book club gathering to discuss “What Happened at Vatican II” by Father John W. O’Malley, SJ. And we still have room around the table. So we're extending our RSVP deadline to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8.


If you can't join us, but have some comments, please feel free to post them here.

Also, if you have suggestions for books we might want to read this year, bring them with your or post them here.

‘Best’ Vatican II History Launches Observer’s Year of Faith Book Club

As part of our Year of Faith celebration, The Observer is launching a book club and our first selection is “What Happened at Vatican II” by Father John W. O’Malley, SJ.
Pope Benedict XVI has recommended that Catholics revisit the documents of the Second Vatican Council, but because even the oldest of the Baby Boomers were only in high school during the council,  we decided it might benefit us to start with a look at the history of the council itself.
While we were considering selections, we got enthusiastic recommendations for Father O’Malley’s book.
The first came from Father Jonathan Bakkelund, who is teaching a course about Vatican II for the diocesan Theological Institute. We asked him for suggestions and he told us, “The best book out there is John W. O’Malley, SJ’s ‘What Happened at Vatican II.’ ”

We've selected our first book

We'll be reading What Happened at Vatican II by Father John W. O'Malley, S.J.

Our discussion will be Jan. 9 at the Diocesan Administration Center in Rockford.

Check back soon to learn how you can take part in our in-person conversation. 

Feel free to comment or ask questions here any time.

Welcome to The Observer's Year of Faith Book Club

We announced our book club in early October, just before the Year of Faith began. In order to let as many people as possible participate, we decided to set up a blog so you can share your thoughts and questions as you read along with us.
We also plan  to host discussion meetings at the Diocesan Administration Center in Rockford, Illinois, during the course of the year, but space will be limited. And, let's face it, it's a long drive for some of the folks in the diocese. With the blog, everyone will able to contribute to our discussions.
Of course, as you would expect of a Catholic site, we ask everyone to be polite and thoughtful in making comments. We also ask you to use "family-friendly" language because we'll be making book choices that we think even our high school students may read, if they like.
Look for our first book choice in an upcoming edition of The Observer and here at our blog site.
We look forward to having you join us as we read our way through the Year of Faith.