The Catholic Diocese of Rockford celebrates the start of its 100th year Sunday.

In honor of this occasion, the Newman Catholic Student Center is hosting a centennial mass in the Convocation Center at 2 p.m. Sunday. 105 parishes and 10,000 people from McHenry and Kane counties are expected to attend.

Multiple parishes will display their faith in the form of banners around the Convo, and a 400-person orchestra choir will recite a hymn.

“The inaugural mass is anticipation for the anniversary. It’s like a Sunday worship,” said Father Godwin Asuquo of the Newman Center. “It’s a celebration of the holy Diocese of Rockford, and the main theme is to thank God for the 100 years.”

The Newman Center will provide a dinner after the mass at 512 Normal Road.

The Diocese of Rockford was founded in 1908. Sept. 23, 2008 marks the 100-year anniversary of the establishment. Throughout the year, different parishes will celebrate the anniversary with prayer and activities.

The end-of-year celebration will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rockford on Sept. 23, 2008, Asuquo said.