St. John Cantius Parish has had a long tradition of presenting the Golden Rose to an individual, family or institution which has displayed an outstanding example of living, promoting or implementing Catholic teaching. The Golden Rose is a precious and sacred ornament made of pure gold, which on Laetare Sunday popes have often blessed and conferred upon persons distinguished for their faith and loyalty to the Holy See, as a mark of esteem and paternal affection. The golden flower given on this day shows forth Christ and His Kingly Majesty. The thorns and red color of real roses tell of His Passion, to which the Prophet Isaiah alludes: “Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress?” (Isaiah 63:2) Thus, this Sunday on which the rose is blessed is often called Rose Sunday.
The Golden Rose was presented on Laetare Sunday, March 10th, 2024 at the 9 a.m. Mass.
Congratulations to Julie Streeter, the 2024 Golden Rose Recipient!
In 2006 The Pontifical Council for Culture established a pathway for evangelization in the Via Pulchritudinis – the way of beauty. It said that the way of beauty can open the pathway for the search for God.
Julie Streeter, with her husband and seven children, has been a parishioner at St. John’s since 2010. Not only has she shared in the Mission and Charism of the Canons Regular, but she has displayed an outstanding
example of evangelizing through the way of beauty. Her talents and keen eye for beauty have touched many areas of this church and have led many souls to an encounter with the Beauty of God. From the repairs and restoration of many vestments, to the making of sick call kits for priests, to the creation of beautiful altar frontals, to teaching children how to make their own scapulars, Julie’s work is more than just tinkering. Every stitch with the needle, every stroke of the brush, is a prayer, an offering, to the Glory of God and for souls.
Every year, Julie, with the help of many others, spends hours painting the steps of the church for the Feast of Corpus Christi. What takes hours under the heat of the sun and in the dim light of the moon, what might be smeared within hours by a summer storm, or at most washed off after a week, some may consider to be a waste. But for Julie, it is an act of Love for our Eucharistic Lord and for the joy of the many conversations that she has with a passerby as she teaches them the meaning of it all.
For her hard work, dedication, and especially her work in evangelizing through Beauty—on behalf of St. John Cantius parish, we are pleased to award the Golden Rose to parishioner Julie Streeter.
The Golden Rose was presented on Laetare Sunday, March 19th, 2023 at the 9 a.m. Mass.
Congratulations to Rosemary Hackett, the 2023 Golden Rose Recipient!
This year, at a time when the pro-life cause must be taken to our state level, St. John Cantius Parish, wishes to highlight an individual and an organization on the front lines of the fight against the culture of death in our state.
Rosemary Hackett, the daughter of Mrs. Mary Anne Hackett of Catholic Citizens of Illinois, has followed in her mother’s footsteps in taking action and stepping up—when it counts and where it’s needed.
Rosemary Hackett been involved in the pro-life movement just all her life. She has led Illinois Right to Life as the President for over 15 years. Under her guidance and leadership Illinois Right to Life has become the premiere organization dedicated to the pro-life cause in Illinois, and even beyond.
Under Rosemary’s leadership, the organization has regularly been a voice for life in local, state, and national news-media. Illinois Right to Life has touched more than 3 million people in the media in 2023 alone.
Rosemary has seen Illinois Right to Life through some very hard seasons- and, what’s more - it’s been personal and deeply passionate for her.
2018 Gubernatorial Candidate Jeanne Ives said, “Rosemary's faithfulness to the pro-life cause in a state where political leaders celebrate the evil of abortion is inspiring. She is Christ-like in her thoughtfulness in taking on difficult issues and responding with wisdom and grace.”
For her hard work, dedication, and especially her work in the pro-life movement as President of Illinois Right to Life—on behalf of St. John Cantius parish, I am pleased to award the Golden Rose to parishioner Rosemary Hackett.
View the full album of the 2023 Golden Rose Award here.
The past recipients of the Golden Rose Award are:
2023 - Rosemary Hackett
2022—Judith Keefe
2021—Lisa Kowalik
2020—Joe Urbaszewski
2019—William Melichar
2018—Andrea Eisenberg
2017—Kathleen Carr (Catholic Art Guild)
2016—Ruth-Margaret Durkin
2015—Myles Ahearn
2014—Kelly Ford
2013—Jed Gibbons
2012—Dan Cheely
2011—Michel Ozorak
2010—+Fr. Dudley Day, O.S.A. & Fran Shambro
2009—Richard Caro
2008—Rudolph Geter
2007—Mark Middendorf
2006—Mr. & Mrs. Wilbert Hegener
2005—+Fr. James Downey, O.S.B.
2004—Fr. Bart Juncer
2003—Mary Anne Hackett
2002—Richard Guzior
2001—Mary Kraychy
2000—Magdalen College
+Monsignor Richard Schuler
1999—William & Rose Marie Fairman
1998—Dorie Gruss
1997—Dorothy Amorella
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