Matthew R. Schwartz
Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry
555 Colman Center Drive P.O.
Box 7044 Rockford, IL 61125

Phone: 815-399-4300 ext. 393
Fax: 815-399-6278
mschwartz@rockforddiocese.org

I have been working in the Diocesan Education Office since 2004. My home town is Montgomery, IL and I graduated from Aurora Central Catholic. I have been working in Church ministry in some capacity for 15 years. Prior to coming to the Diocese, I was the campus minister at Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford for 6 years. While at Boylan, I taught all levels of Theology, developed curriculum, coached various sports and directed class level retreats. Over the 15 years of ministry, I have also been a volunteer in youth ministry, an RCIA facilitator, Confirmation formation teacher, and presenter to adults and teens. My passion as a teacher (and learner) lies in Scripture, specifically New Testament.

I have an MA in Theology and Ministry from Loras College in Dubuque , Iowa and a BA in Theology and American History from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois . My Confirmation name (chosen when I was 12) is John Bosco, patron of youth and youth workers.

Currently, I am a 5th grade catechist for my parish. I am a regular instructor for the Ministry Formation Program, Diaconate Formation Program and also serve as an adjunct instructor for Loyola University in Chicago . Nationally, I participate on task groups and committees centered on youth advocacy and adolescent catechesis.

My wife Julie (from whom I learned everything about youth ministry) and I married in 1998 and we have three children- one girl and two boys. I am a huge White Sox fan and my family is a member of Holy Family Parish in Rockford, IL .

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Becky Ackerman
Administrative Assistant Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry
555 Colman Center Drive
P.O. Box 7044
Rockford, IL 61125

Phone: 815-399-4300 ext. 390
Fax: 815-399-6278
backerman@rockforddiocese.org

My hometown is Beaver Dam, Wisconsin where I attended and graduated from Beaver Dam Senior High School in 1968. Starting in the fall of 1968 I attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in Elementary Education. I graduated in 1972.

I was married in 1971 to my husband Denny, who was from Pecatonica, and we moved back to Illinois in 1972. We have lived in Pecatonica now for 32 of our 37 years of married life together. In 1973 the Freeport Catholic schools hired me as a first grade teacher. I taught first grade for seven years, resigning in May of 1980 just before our first daughter was born. In 1982 our second daughter was born. Both our daughters are now married and we have 2 grandchildren.

I was the CRE of Religious Education at my parish from 1986 to 2006. I spent around 10 years as a substitute teacher in our area schools and another 10 years running a day care in my home. In 2001 I was hired as an Administrative Assistant by the Rockford Diocese in the Tribunal. In February of 2008, I moved to the Education Department to become the Administrative Assistant to Matt Schwartz who is the Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry.

I like to read and visit with my family, especially dad, our daughters and most importantly our beautiful grandchildren.