The Oblates of Jesus the Priest

The Oblates of Jesus the Priest are a religious community of women founded in 1937 by Father Felix de Jesus Rougier, M.Sp.S. in Mexico City. Their mission is to pray for priestly vocations and support priesthood in all its forms through work and seminaries, diocesan offices and parishes. The oblates have four houses in the United States, throughout Mexico and in Rome.

James V. Marchionda, OP

Father James V. Marchionda is a Dominican priest, preacher, composer, conductor, singer, woodwind instrumentalist, and speaker who offers parish missions, workshops, lectures, and concerts throughout the United States and abroad. A member of the Chicago Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, he served nine years as Vicar Provincial and is presently a member of the Provincial Council.

Father Jim has composed over 100 sacred music compositions and his work is published by World Library Publications, the music and liturgy division of the J.S. Paluch Company, Inc. He has been affiliated with World Library for most of his 33 years of priesthood. Father Jim's unique ministry successfully combines preaching with a professional career in sacred music.

St. Leonard's House was founded in 1954 by Father James Jones, Episcopal Chaplain at Cook County Jail, providing emergency services and programming for adult male ex-offenders. Since 1986, under the leadership of Bob Dougherty, St. Leonard's Ministries has expanded with 3 additional sites: Grace House, which provides a residential setting, emergency services and programming for women leaving prison; St. Andrew's Court, providing second stage housing and supportive services for men who have successfully completed the St. Leonard's House program; and the Michael Barlow Center for education and employment training.

Each year, St. Leonard's Ministries provides services to approximately 400 men and women, ages 18-65. While the recidivism rate for those who leave Illinois prisons is above 50%, the recidivism rate for those who complete programs at St. Leonard's Ministries is slightly above 20%.

Most Reverent Timothy J. Lyne, D.D.
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Chicago
Vicar for Senior Priests

A native of Chicago, Bishop Timothy Lyne was ordained by Samuel Cardinal Stritch on May 1, 1943. Following ordination he was assigned to St. Mary's Church in Riverside and served there until 1962. Bishop Lyne was stationed at St. Edmund's in Oak Park from 1962 until being transferred to Holy Name Cathedral in 1966. In 1967, he was appointed pastor of Holy Name Cathedral, was consecrated auxiliary Bishop of Chicago on December 13, 1983, and continued to serve as pastor until 1990. Bishop Lyne was appointed Episcopal Vicar for Vicariate II in 1983 and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1995. In 1998 he was named Vicar for Senior Priests, a position he still retains. Bishop Lyne also retains positions as Episcopal member of the Illinois Council of Churches, Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago and Council for a parliament of the World's Religious.

The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence

The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence founded in 1881 by Blessed Aloysius Guanella, came to Chicago in 1913. Faithful to their founder's spirit they dedicate themselves in a particular manner to the care of those whom the Gospel calls Little, that is the weak, the needy, the lonely, the abandoned, the aged, youth and developmentally challenged persons. They announce the "good news" to them through the exercise of the works of mercy and faith in the Providence of the Father. In the North America, the Daughters are represented in the Archdioceses of Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Vancouver, Canada; in the Dioceses of Syracuse, New York, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and New Ulm, Minnesota. World wide they serve in thirteen countries throughout Europe and South America.

They presently minister in the Archdiocese of Chicago at the St. Mary of Providence Center for developmentally challenged persons in both a residential and day facility; at the St. Rose Day Center on the South Side of Chicago for the developmentally challenged: at the St. Stanislaus soup kitchen; and at the Mt. St. Joseph Home for developmentally challenged in Lake Zurich.

Sister Ann Schaffer

Sister Ann Schaffer born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, entered the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence on January 6, 1950. Previous to her entrance, she worked as a Secretary in the Back of the Yards Council. Sr. Ann has served as Dietary Manager in facilities administered by the Daughters in South Dakota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois and at the Institute Roosevelt in Bogotá, Colombia. She presently directs the St. Stanislaus Kostka soup kitchen in Chicago.

It is fitting that she receive this award for the Community because she has demonstrated her dedication to God's people by giving life to the Gospel message of service.

Sister Diane Poplawski, OP Executive Director National Coalition for Church Vocations

A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Sister Diane joined Dominican Sisters in 1976. She believes that we are all called to generously respond to the invitation to "act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly" with our God and one another. Sister Diane has served in Native American Ministry for the Diocese of Green Bay on the Oneida Indian Reservation Congregation. In 1996, she volunteered one day a week at NCCV as she worked to complete her master's degree from Loyola University. She has been at NCCV ever since. Sister Diane works with a dedicated staff to create vocation education and awareness materials that encourage all Catholic Church vocations, especially to priesthood and consecrated life. She collaborates with national organizations and grassroots people to encourage young people to respond generously to God's call to service.

Reverend Joseph A. Mulcrone

The eldest of eight children raised on Chicago’s West Side, and brother of 2004 honoree Father Tom Mulcrone, Father Joe Mulcrone was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 12, 1971. He served as Associate Pastor from 1971-76 at St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston. He served as Professor of Medical Ethics from 1973-85 at St. Francis School of Nursing. Since 1977, Father Mulcrone is Director of the Chicago Archdiocese Catholic Office of the Deaf and is President of the Board of Directors for the Cardinal Stritch Foundation for Deaf Children. He serves as a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Father Mulcrone has also served on other deaf advocacy boards as well as numerous advisory boards to the State of Illinois Department of Mental Health and Department of Children and Family Services. Since 1983 he has resided at St. Francis Borgia parish in Chicago.

Born and raised on Chicago’s West Side and younger brother of 2004 honoree Father Joe Mulcrone, Father Tom Mulcrone was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1977. He served for seven years as Associate Pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine parish on Chicago’s Northwest Side. From 1979-88, Father Mulcrone served as Director of Northwest Divorced Catholics. It was during this period he was appointed as an Advocate for the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago. In that capacity he was responsible for preparing cases for those who applied for annulments. In 1987, after being assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Tarcissus parish, Father Mulcrone was appointed Chaplain of the Chicago Fire Department. As chaplain, he ministers to the 5,000 members of the department and their families 24 hours a day, six days a week. Father Mulcrone has served and currently holds membership on various local, national and international fire fighter boards and associations. While retaining his duties as chaplain of the Chicago Fire Department, Father Mulcrone was appointed Chaplain at St. Mary of Providence Home in Chicago. St. Mary’s is a residential facility and day training center for over 150 mentally challenged and developmentally disabled young people. Father Mulcrone currently resides at St. Mary’s.

The Honorable Mary Ann G. McMorrow is the first woman in Illinois history to be elected to the Supreme Court of Illinois. With her May 2002 election as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, she became the first woman to head any of the three branches of government. Prior to her elections, she served as a trial court judge in the Cook County Circuit Court and Justice on the Illinois Appellate Court. She is a graduate of Immaculata High School and Loyola University School of Law. She holds four honorary doctorates—three from Catholic universities. Cardinal Bernardin appointed her to Mundelein Seminary’s Board of Advisors. She is the recipient of numerous honors, including Loyola University Law School’s 1991 “Medal of Excellence," The Catholic Lawyers Guild’s “1993 Lawyer of the Year," and the prestigious Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation’s award in 1996 for Distinguished Service to Law and Society. In 1996, Crain’s Chicago Business named Justice McMorrow one of “Chicago’s 100 Most Influential Women." Chief Justice McMorrow is the recipient of The Chicago Bar Association’s 2002 Justice John Paul Stevens Award.

For the past 40 years, Ronnie and Denny Mudd have shared their lives centered around four “F’s”: FAITH, FAMILY FRIENDS, and FOCUS. Responding to God’s invitation, Christ’s teaching and example, and the Holy Spirit’s grace, they have tried to be good disciples. Coming from wonderful families of origin, Ronnie and Denny are blessed with six children: a daughter and five sons, who have matured to be God-loving and faith-filled adults, blessing them with 17 grandchildren to date. Friends from years ago to recent years have blessed their lives with loyalty, laughter, and support. Their 40 years together, supporting each other, have allowed them to focus on youth, those who are less fortunate, and the elderly. As they continue their journey in response to God’s call, Ronnie and Denny try to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with Almighty God.

Ordained a priest in 1954 and Bishop in 1985, Most Rev.Roger L. Kaffer finds the priesthood "an exciting adventure." His assignment were the Joliet Chancery, seminary founding rector, high school principal, cathedral rector, and Auxiliary Bishop. Bishop Kaffer loves parish work, home visitation, and giving talks, retreats, and missions to parishes, youth, seminarians, priests, and bishops. He says the priesthood is "Jesus Christ, nothing more, nothing less." Taking classes in spiritual direction, Bishop Kaffer is currently devoting his energies to "the sanctification of priests, beginning with myself" and to promoting devotion to the Sacred Hearth of Jesus and the Eucharist, "the source and the summit of the whole work of preaching the Gospel." (Vatican ||)

After growing up on a farm near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sr. Paulanne Held, OSF. entered the School Sisters of St. Francis at St, Josef Convent and trained to be a teacher. She has taught primary and intermediate students and now teaches religion at the junior high level at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Glenview, Illinois. Sr. Paulanne also works as a sacrstan, which gives her many opportunities to communicate with people in the parish. Another important part of her ministry is the Sharing Program, initiated in 1971. By 1981 the parish created a sharing committee and developed a program including four parishes. Sr. Paulanne feels the sharing Program is the best way to get people involved in helping others overcome poverty and hunger and thus make a defference in our society.

Director of the Courage Program, is a graduate of Mercy High School and St, Xavier University and a 35-year member of St. Germaine Parish. Maureen has been happily married to Mark Shields for 35 years and ia the proud mother of Tim, Dan, Molly, and Kevin, mother-in-law of Rich O’Grady, and grandmother of Johnathon, Zachary, and Luke O’Grady. She is a Sisters of Mercy Associate and the recipient of the Association of Chicago Priests Award, the Today Chicago’s Woman “100 Women Making a Difference” Award for 2000, the St. Xavier University Distinguished Alumni Award for 2000, and the Sertoma Woman of the Year and Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Awards from St. Germaine Parish.

President and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, is the son of Irish immigrants. Fr. Close attended Our Lady of Lourdes School, Archbishop Quigley Seminary, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. Ordained in 1963 by Albert Cardinal Meyer, Fr. Close began his parish ministry at St. John Brebeuf Parish in Niles, Illinois. In 1973 he came to Mercy Home. As its director, Fr. Close established new programs including an Aftercare Program in 1981 that provides a link to Mercy as long as needed, and a Friends First program in 1987 that matches volunteer mentors with at-risk youth. In 1987 Fr. Close also established Mercy Home’s first residence for girls in Chicago’s Beverly community.

was born in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England, on May 26, 1923, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She has been a member of the Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary since 1943. She completed her studies in theology at the Facultés Catholiques (l’Institute Catholique), Lyon, France (1963-1967). Sr. Agnes was professor of patristic and historical theology at Mundelein Seminary, University of St. Mary of the Lake, from 1967-1992. She also serves as a consultant to the Lumen Christi Institute at the University of Chicago. She lives at Holy Heart of Mary Novitiate, Batavia, Illinois, where she continues to study, write, and translate documents for her Congregation.

a native Chicagoan, attended St. Tarcissus Grammar School, Quigley North (today Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary), Niles College Preparatory Seminary, and Mundelein Seminary. He was a missionary volunteer for three years in Mexico during his seminary years. After ordination in 1975, Fr. Klein served for five years at St. Joseph’s Parish in Waukegan. He then taught Spanish and later became dean and then rector at Quigley South and also served at St. Roman Parish. In 1990 he was named president of Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and later became Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago. In 1997 he became pastor at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish. He is dearly missed and has left a legacy of service, inspiration, and joy.

attended Resurrection Grade School and Quingley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein. He was ordained on May 3, 1941, and appointed to St. Gaul Parish and then to HOly Angels Parish. In 1950 Msgr. Quinn was appointed to the newly-formed Archdiocesan Catholic Action Council. He served as Secretary to the Bishops' Committee for Migrant Farm Workers. As Co-Director of the Bishops' Committee for Latin America, Msgr. Quinn attended the second and third sessions of Vatican Council ll. He returned to parish work as Pastor of St. Eulalia Parish in Maywood, and later as Pastor Emeritus.

attended St. Joseph Grade School and Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, Barry University in Florida and Loyola University in Chicago. An Adrian Dominican, Sr. Nancy Murray, OP, taught at Regina Dominican High School and Loyola University, and in a ministry training program in South Africa. Currently, she is Pastoral Associate and Youth Minister at St. Sylverster Parish in Chicago, where she founded VIVA EL Teatro, a program which provides jobs, classes, and field trips related to the arts for children teens, and senior citizens. Sr. Nancy is now the Vocation Director for the Dominican Sisters in Adrian, Michigan.

was a son of Ireland and a native son of the Archdlocese of Chicago. His spirit, so well captured by the book The Gift of A Life speaks of a simple man with a deep faith rooted in family, a sense of humor rooted in whimsical, and a sense of stewardship rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Archbishop Murphy was an inspiring spiritual leader and a friend. We miss him - yet his legacy lives on through each of us.

became Executive Director of Deborah's Place in 1991, but she has volunteered with the agency since its inception. Previously, she was Howard Area Community Center's Executive Director for 10 years. A founding board member of both Dehon House and Housing Opportunities for Women, she brings a wealth of programmatic and managerial experience to Deborah's Place. In 1989, she was selected as a Service Fellow by the Chicago Community Leadership to run, the YMCA, Chicago's oldest and most prestigious salute to working women. In 1997, she was recognized by the McAuley Institute for her leadership in housing for women. In 1998, she received and Honorary Doctorate form Elmhurst College and another form the Chicago Theological Seminary. Her gentle spirit has truly saved lives in the name of Christ's gospel.

After having established the Paluch Family Foundation in 1995, Margaret A. Paluch was honored at a surprise 75th birthday party held at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, IL.