Previous Years Recipients

Fr. Chuck Dahm, OP, is a Dominican priest and the Chicago Archdiocesan Director of Domestic Violence Outreach and the Co-coordinator of Peace and Justice for Dominicans in North America. For 21 years, he was pastor of St. Pius V Parish in Chicago where he developed the largest parish-based domestic violence program in the U.S. He has preached on domestic violence at all weekend Masses in more than 100 parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago and formed ministries in approximately 85 of them. The mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach is to raise awareness, to promote development and delivery of support services, and to advocate for the prevention of domestic violence.
https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/domestic-violence-outreach

The Well of Mercy is a transitional housing community serving single mothers and their children located in Chicago. The Well was founded in 2010 by Executive Director Mary Zeien. The Well’s mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence and poverty by equipping young mothers with the skills and resources they need to live independently and care for their children. The women arrive at The Well homeless, broke, and pregnant. Some have other young children with them. The first priority of The Well is to provide the women a nd their children with a safe and nurturing environment where they can learn and grow. At this time, there are 12 women with 15 children living at The Well. Mary Zeien, the foundress, is a social worker, mother of five, and grandmother of 12. Mary considers her call to open the Well of Mercy a vocational call and is fully committed to the mission of The Well.
http://thewellofmercy.com/

Fr. David A. Kelly is a Catholic priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He received a Doctorate of Ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. His doctoral thesis is entitled: “Responding to Violence among Urban Youth: A Restorative Approach.” He has worked for Kolbe House at Assumption Church, a parish-based jail ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago since 1985. Fr. Kelly is the Executive Director of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR), a Community Restorative Justice Hub. PBMR reaches out and supports youth and families who have been impacted by violence and incarceration. Through a restorative justice approach, PBMR seeks to create safe and hospitable spaces where reconciliation is possible.
pbmr.org

Sister Jean Okroi is a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She has served as an educator, a spiritual mentor, and in IBVM leadership. She continues to assist religious congregations as they move toward the future. Twelve years ago, while participating in a conference on human trafficking, Sr. Jean made a choice to focus her energy on this single justice issue. Since then she has raised awareness about the crime of human trafficking with university and parish groups, women's organizations, medical students, and social workers. Sr. Jean initiated the Illinois Women Religious against Human Trafficking Committee six years ago with the assistance of the Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR). This collaborative committee of ten women religious congregations and their Associates raises awareness and advocates for and assists survivors of Human Trafficking.
stophumantraffickingil.org/donate

Fr. Bob was asked to come to Chicago by Cardinal George in 2005 to establish the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. The purpose of the Mission is twofold: to assist the materially poor and to share the treasure of our Catholic faith. Fr. Bob graduated from Notre Dame in 1979 with an accounting degree and worked for Price Waterhouse. He has a M.Div. from the Maryknoll School of Theology and a M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Iona College. He is a founding member of his community, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Before coming to Chicago, Fr. Bob served as Director, Saint Anthony Residence; Director, Lay Associate Program of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal; Local Servant, Saint Crispin's Friary; Director, Saint Anthony's Free Medical/Dental Clinic; and Vicar General of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
www.missionola.com

Uncle Pete's Ministries (UPM) began through the efforts of Peter Zonsius, who served the less fortunate for most of his life. Since Uncle Pete's death in May 2012, a group of volunteers, inspired by his simple and humble service, has continued many of the good works he began by organizing the collection and distribution of school supplies, coats, infant needs, sack suppers (12,000 delivered in 2014!), holiday food baskets, and gift cards for food and household items for individuals and agencies, particularly on Chicago's West Side. Based at St. John Brebeuf parish in Niles, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, UPM continues to flourish today due to a growing number of helping hands and generous people. In accordance with Uncle Pete's wishes, monetary donations received and the distribution of funds for UPM are administered by his niece, Sister Judith Zonsius, and the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.
www.osbchicago.org/unclepeteministries

Amate House, a financially independent agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago, focuses on ongoing faith formation and leadership development of young adults and aims to support and encourage them to make service a way of life. Each year between 26-33 young adults commit to a year of volunteer service work in schools, parishes, and social service agencies in underserved areas throughout Chicago. Since 1984, over 700 young adults have passed through Amate House and over 130 different organizations have benefited from the work of Amate House Volunteers. More than 85% of these Amate House alumni remain active in social service, education, or other nonprofit fields after their Amate House experience.
www.amatehouse.org

In 2011, after several years immersed in serving refugees, Lynn opened Madonna Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of the refugee community in the Chicago area. Madonna Mission offers educational and cultural support programs for refugees. Programs include ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for refugee women, an After School program, a Summer Camp for Refugee Girls, and a Summer Reading Camp for Refugee Boys. Madonna Mission provides a safe community which promotes human dignity among all its students.
www.madonnamission.org

Fr. George Lane was born in Chicago in 1934 and raised in St. Gertrude Parish in Rogers Park. He attended St. Gertrude School, Loyola Academy (1948-52), and Loyola University for two years. He then entered the Society of Jesus in 1954. He taught at St. Ignatius College Prep from 1962 to 1964 and was ordained in 1967. He was assigned to Loyola Press in 1969 and served there as editor until he became Director/ President in 1989. He retired in 2010. Fr. Lane is the author of Chicago Churches and Synagogues (1981) and Christian Spirituality, An Historical Sketch (1984). In 1988 Fr. Lane founded the Holy Family Preservation Society to raise funds for the rescue and restoration of Holy Family Church on Roosevelt Road at May Street in Chicago (1988-2003). The church has been beautifully restored and now serves a growing, multiethnic congregation.

Totus Tuus is a Catholic summer youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel through catechesis, Christian witness, eucharistic worship, and Marian devotion. The goal of Totus Tuus is to help young people grow in their faith in Jesus Christ and have fun in the process. Fr. Brian Welter was ordained a priest in 2005. He is currently a faculty member and the Director of Spiritual Life at Mundelein Seminary. Before entering the priesthood, Fr. Welter obtained a B.S. in Manufacturing Technology from Bradley University in 1993 and also worked for several years as a carpenter. During the summers he is an adjunct faculty member with the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha. Fr. Welter was involved with Totus Tuus during his three years as Vocation Director. He helped train the college-age missionaries for their summer immersions in parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Totus Tuus has been the catalyst for several vocations in the Chicago archdiocese in recent years. The program continues to grow and a collaborative effort between the dioceses of Chicago, Joliet, and Rockford has been established over the past few years.
https://www.archchicago.org/vocations

Arusi Network, Inc. was established to govern the ministerial work of Andrew and Terri Lyke. The mission of that work is to strengthen the institution of marriage in the African American community. The focus of that work is in marriage education, spiritual formation and ongoing social support through outreach from faith-based communities. The purpose of ArusiNetwork is to be a leader in directing the Church’s attention and resources to the crisis. Using our “Catholic Sacramental Imagination” we assist families to recognize their holiness despite the messiness of life. We encourage and empower them with life skills, and raise their sights on the public role that marriage plays in sustaining healthiness and procuring hope in the community.
www.arusi.org/index.html

Begun in February, 2001, Kid’s Café provides neighborhood children and youth with a full, nutritious meal afterschool, and afternoons during the summer. Through the support of a linkage with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and private donations, Kid’s Café offers meals and nutrition education to all participants. The family atmosphere offers the children and youth the opportunity to learn the social skills which are an important part of sharing a meal with others.
http://www.hcihm.org/youth/kids-cafe/

Fr. Masters was born December 17, 1966 and raised in Joliet, Illinois. Although he was not raised in the Catholic faith, he joined the Catholic Church his senior year at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois. To follow his dream to play major league baseball, he attended Mississippi State University and majored in mathematics. After college he worked as an actuary, and then ticket manager for the Kane County Cougars. After feeling called, to the priesthood, he attended Mundelein Seminary from 1997-2002 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet in June 2002. He served for four years as associate pastor at St. Mary?s Parish in West Chicago. From 2006 to the present he has served as the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Joliet.
dioceseofjoliet.org/vocations

Hope Junior is a program started by Kay Hallagan, Deanna Hallagan's mother, in 1986, during an extended school strike, Kay opened Marillac's doors and Hope Junior began. More than twenty years later, the program is still going strong. Today there are over sixty grade school children and forty teens who attend the daily activities. Hope Junior offers a safe place to do homework, be creative, play sports, and see the world outside the west side of Chicago. The staff strives to create opportunities for Hope Junior kids to make positive life choices. Working in the program for over twenty years, Deanna Hallagan has had the privilege of watching many young people grow up. She has seen many of the Hope Junior participants graduate from college. Along with her sister Maureen and a truly amazing staff, Deanna has worked to develop a program that teaches the importance of respect, friendship, and, above all, Hope.
http://marillacstvincent.org/findhelp/youth/hopejunior.html

Fr. Don Nevins is the son of Rosemary and the late Jim Nevins and brother of Fran, Mark, Gary and Janine. He attended St. Mary's grammar school in Des Plaines and then attended the archdiocesan seminaries. He served for a year as a deacon at St. John Fisher, an associate pastor for six years at St. Ann (Leavitt), a faculty member at Niles College for eight years, pastor of St. Procopius for three years, director of the Department of Ministry Formation for the archdiocese for seven years, pastor of Holy Family for three years, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi for 12 years (these past three assignments overlapped for three years), and is presently pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia. During these years he has also served as vice-chair of the Presbyteral Council, vice-chancellor of the University of St. Mary of the Lake, interim vicar of Vicariate III, and dean and archdiocesan vocation director, among other positions.
https://stagnesofbohemia.org/

The Retreat Center, founded and staffed by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC), has served Chicagoland since 1957. In collaboration with the sisters, the dedicated staff welcomes over 6,000 guests annually. The Cabrinian focus of the ministry is to welcome those not served by other centers. Programs include Mother Cabrini Immigrant Outreach and Open Wide the Gates Outreach for Urban Youth. As the only Retreat Center in the Archdiocese with a primary focus on youth, the majority of the center's guests are teens in the process of choosing how their faith will help them make choices and find meaning for their lives. Nancy Golen, is Director of Cabrini Retreat Center. Her connection to Mother Cabrini's legacy began when she attended 3rd grade at Cabrini Elementary school in Michigan. Her passion for spirituality, the vocation of the laity, and the gifts of a multicultural ministry have found a home in this ministry.
https://www.cabrinicenter.org/

Fr. Dan Costello was raised in the Midwest and on the West Coast, where all of his family resides. He had a career in marketing with IBM for 13 years before attending the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. Fr. Dan was ordained in 1998. He served at St. Josaphat and St. John Fisher parishes as associate pastor before becoming pastor at St. Thomas of Canterbury in 2006. St. Thomas of Canterbury Food Pantry distributes approximately 700 sacks of groceries each month and the Soup Kitchen feeds about 300 people each Tuesday and Friday, year-round. Both of these ministries began in the late 1970’s and are staffed with dedicated employees and volunteers who truly love serving the poor.
http://www.stcuptown.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=4

Sr. Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, a Dominican Sister of Springfield, IL, entered the Dominican Order in 1982 and made her first profession in 1985. Sr. Elyse’s ministerial experience includes elementary and high school teaching and campus ministry. She has served as vocation director for her congregation and currently is Coordinator of Religious Vocations Ministries in the Office for Religious and Coordinator of CAVA.
Active in the Archdiocese of Chicago since August 1979, CAVA celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The Chicago Archdiocesan Office for Religious sponsors this association of more than 80 Catholic priests, sisters, and brothers who are vocation directors and ministers. CAVA’s purpose is to nurture a culture of vocations within the Catholic Church and to invite young men and women to discern a vocation to religious life.
https://www.vocationscava.org/

Sr. Anne Mayer, SSND, came from a family of Bavarian and Roman descent, was educated by Dubuque Franciscans and Loyola Jesuits, and entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame at 22. She taught high school and college courses for the young sisters preparing for teaching assignments. With the help of Sr. Margaret Traxler, SSND, she opened SisterHouse in 1982 for women leaving the jail system after committing petty offenses. Ms. LaDonna Sanders made SisterHouse an excellent recovery house. Sr. Shannon Scallon, SSND, and Ms. Rochelle Sims, have maintained its excellence. Sr. Anne also wrote a 280-page history of the Academy of Our Lady High School in Longwood. As she approaches the age of 103, she is “preparing for a better world!”
www.sisterhousechicago.org

Fr. John Cusick, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, was ordained in 1970 and has served as an associate pastor and a college seminary faculty member. He is the founder (1977) and director of the Archdiocese of Chicago Young Adult Ministry Office, an outreach to women and men, married and single, in their 20s and 30s. He has authored First Steps - a Guide to Encourage Young Men to Consider the Catholic Priesthood. He co-authored The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry. In May 2004 Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Fr. Cusick to the Executive Ethics Commission of the State of Illinois. He resides at Old St. Patrick’s Church in downtown Chicago.

Dr. Kate DeVries is co-director of the Young Adult Ministry Office, an office she joined on August 1, 1988. Previously, she was a special education teacher of high school and junior high students with behavior disorders and learning disabilities. Kate holds a doctorate in ministry from Catholic Theological Union, along with master's degrees in divinity, special education, and pastoral studies. She is co-author of The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry, and an active parishioner at St. Francis Xavier Parish in LaGrange.
https://pvm.archchicago.org/lifelong-formation/youth-and-young-adult-ministry/young-adult-ministry

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.
http://www.oblatelife.com/

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.
opcentral.org/

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%.
https://slministries.org/

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.
https://www.catholiccharities.net/GetHelp/OurServices/SkilledNursingFacility/HolyFamilyVilla.aspx

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. Worldwide they serve in thirteen countries throughout Europe and South America.
http://www.dsmpic.org/

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.

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.

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.
https://deafchurchchicago.weconnect.com/

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.
https://chicagoareafire.com/blog/tag/chicago-fire-department-chaplain/

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.
https://deacons.archchicago.org/

Ordained a priest in 1954 and Bishop in 1985, Most Rev. Roger L. Kaffer finds the priesthood "an exciting adventure." His assignment was 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 Heart of Jesus and the Eucharist, "the source and the summit of the whole work of preaching the Gospel". (Vatican ||)
https://cefjoliet.org/

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 difference  in our society.
https://www.olphglenview.org/ministries/sharing-ministry

Through education and counseling, The Courage Program helps young women avoid unplanned pregnancies, but when necessary, we seek to offer them viable alternatives to abortion, including adoption and responsible parenting. By doing what family and friends used to do, we support these young women with a variety of resources to help them make important life decisions on issues of sexuality, self-esteem, parenting, personal growth, and maturity.
http://www.courageprogram.org/couragehome/index.html

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.
https://www.mercyhome.org/

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 Archdiocese 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 an 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.
https://www.deborahsplace.org/

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.