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Rockford Register Star

Newspaper of the Rock River Valley
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 rrstar.com Volume 158, Number 43 $1.00

BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS

Stunned: Pope calls it quits

Catholics praying earnestly for leaders
By Brian Leaf
Rockford Register Star and

VOICES It really changes our whole perspective on the popes o ce and this whole process. It really sets a new precedent for the man in the o ce to see the need to step down.
The Rev. Matthew DeBlock, assistant principal/spiritual director, Boylan Catholic High School

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What characteristics should the next pope have? GateHouse News Service Comment on this story on our Facebook page ROCKFORD She (facebook.com/rockfordregcame to pray Monday isterstar). Be sure to like morning at Nazareth Cha- us, too. Travis Morse

pel on the campus of Holy Family Catholic Church and sensed tears coming on before entering. It makes me want to cry, Cynthia Lavely said, learning that Pope Benedict XVI had announced his resignation. Thats shocking. But as Lavely went inside for her daily devotions, she had something more to

pray for: the church, its 117 cardinals and the decisions they face in the coming weeks to select a successor to the rst pope to resign in six centuries. Lavelys act of devotion is precisely what Bishop David J. Malloy prescribed
SEE REACTION, A4

A teaching moment for churchs youths

By Cathy Bayer and Corina Curry
Rockford Register Star

When I was 10, I wasnt too worried about who the pope was. Now that this is happening, its really interesting to see how it all works.
Boylan senior George St. John, 18

ROCKFORD The Rev. Matthew DeBlock shu ed his curriculum Monday for seniors in a theology class after hearing Pope Benedict XVIs plans to resign. It really changes our whole perspective on the popes o ce and this whole process, the , assistant principal and spiritual director at Boylan Catholic High School said. It really sets a new precedent for the man in the o ce to see the need to step down.

Benedict, 85, who was elected in 2005, intends to leave o ce Feb. 28. He cited advanced age and inrmity. DeBlock asked students to think about George W. Bushs presidency and how he aged over eight years, or even President Barack Obama after just four years. Were starting to see more gray hairs, right? You really see them age in that o ce. So think about the president of United States. Then think about the pope. Pope Benedict XVI leaves his audience with newly appointed cardinals and their relSEE STUDENTS, A4

Students were most curious about what name he will take. Will he be a Benedict or will he go back to John Paul? They also wonder what his nationality will be. Where will he be from?
John Fitzsimmons, principal, St. James Catholic School

Inside
A position of strength, Our View, A9

atives Nov. 22, 2010, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. The pontiff plans to resign, the first to do so since Gregory XII in 1415. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

What youre saying, A4

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Committee reduces scope of work, service fees for architects

By Corina Curry
Rockford Register Star

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Lottery ......... A2 Nation .......... A8 Classied ..... B4 Comics ......... B6 Weather ....... A2 Deaths .... A6,10 Local............. A3 Opinion ........ A9

ROCKFORD Rockford School District leaders are poised to spend less on professional services to renovate 10 schools this year, a move that should mean less money

for building engineers and more money for building improvements. Its a matter of making every dollar count, Sunil Puri said, encouraging district leaders and his fellow Operations Committee members to explore cost-saving measures before awarding more work to Hagney Architects of Rockford. Hagney already won a 5.9 percent fee for architectural services on $40

million of construction in December. It amounts to $2.36 million. That was for the 10 schools the district plans to renovate in the coming year. But the committee wouldnt bite when it came time to approve an additional $22 million worth of work, including heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical services, and other building nishes. It would have meant $1.3 million more in service

fees for Hagney. Calls to Hagney Architects were not returned. By removing building nishes from the additional scope of work, as Chief Operations O cer Todd Schmidt recommended last week, $22 million more in construction became $15 million more, which reduces the additional fees for Hagney to $885,000 a $415,000
SEE SCHOOL REPAIR, A5