Marmion Academy honors alumnus

Monsignor Robert Hoffman, a 1953 Marmion Academy graduate, was presented with the Academy's Ad Regnum Dei award at an All-School Mass on March 10. This award is given to an alumnus in recognition of exceptional public witness and service of Gospel values for the Kingdom of God.

"Msgr. Hoffmann has dedicated his life to the people of the Rockford Diocese and is a great example of humble service," stated Faculty/Staff Chaplain Fr. Joel Rippinger OSB as he presented the award.

Hoffman was ordained a priest in 1962 and was first assigned to St. Peter in Spring Grove. He has taught at Marian Central, St. Edward and Madonna. He also served as Director of Religious Education for Aurora Central Catholic High School.

For 12 years, he served as pastor at Christ the Teacher Parish, a university parish and home of the Newman Catholic Center of Northern Illinois University. He was a campus minister at NIU and directed campus ministry for the entire diocese. He also was chairman of the Department of Campus Ministry for the Catholic Conference of Illinois. In 1982 he was honored by the NIU Alumni Association with the Francis R. Geigle Award for outstanding service at the University - the first time a priest had been so honored.

From 1989 through 2007, Hoffman served as pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles. During that time he also served as dean of the Elgin Deanery, which includes 10 area parishes. He received the title of Monsignor in 1998 by Pope John Paul II and invested into the papal household by Bishop Thomas Doran.