Chicagoland

Laypeople honored for ministry to the church

By Chicago Catholic
Sunday, January 10, 2016

Each year, the Archdiocese of Chicago grants two kinds of awards to lay men and women for their dedication to the church and its ministries. The Bishop Quarter and Christifideles awards will be conferred on most recipients this year on Jan. 10 at Holy Name Cathedral. Recipients are:

The Bishop Quarter Award, named for Bishop William Quarter, the first bishop of Chicago, is given each year to a layperson or married couple in each vicariate who demonstrates consistent service to the ministries of the archdiocese’s vicariates. Episcopal vicars nominate recipients.

In August 2012, as another season of Theology on Tap was coming to a close, new friends lamented that there would be no more such events for young adults until the following summer. Not wanting to lose ToT’s momentum, they formed a weekly small group at Santa Maria del Popolo and this providential undertaking sowed the seeds of networking and enthusiasm to address the spiritual needs of a much larger audience.

Connecting with parish-based ministries at Holy Family, St. Paul the Apostle, Our Lady of Humility, St. Mary of Vernon, and St. Gilbert, the growing leadership realized they had between them all, the resources of knowledge, creativity, organization and effort to be what no single parish could provide: a fulltime ministry for all Vicariate I Catholics ages 18 to 39.

These volunteers serve more than 100 of their peers through such diverse offerings as Bible studies, sports nights, Feed My Starving Children, dance lessons, encyclical discussions, wine tastings, day trips, speed dating and Stations of the Cross, just to name a few

Monica Paolelli has been the coordinator of Hopeline since the organization started in 1989. Hopeline is a volunteer program sponsored by the Niles/Park Ridge cluster of parishes that assists women and girls who are facing the challenges of unplanned pregnancy.

Paolelli secures financial support from the parishes every year and coordinates the daily volunteers who staff the hotline, which is run through Our Lady of Ransom. She also helps sort and manage the diapers, furniture, formula, toys and other baby items that are donated to Hopeline.

Angela Schreiner was responsible for the continuation of Our Lady of the Angels Food Pantry after the parish closed in 1990. She tirelessly maintained an essential outreach in a very challenged and resource-depleted neighborhood.

Today, she continues to be an important part of the pantry. She is a lector at St. Francis of Assisi, as well as being involved with planning many special events at the parish.

Salazar is a wife and mother of two. She has sung in the same choir at St. Agnes of Bohemia for more than 20 years and has led the choir for almost 10 years. She was the business manager at St. Agnes for a number of years, and still serves on its Finance Council.

Three years ago, Salazar became the VAC (Vicariate Administrative Consultant — now called DVO) of Vicariate IV, serving 60 parishes and missions and more than 30 schools. She has worked tirelessly as part of the Vicariate IV team, which includes the bishop, deans, the bishop’s vicariate administrative assistant and others who work for the good of Vicariate IV’s parishes and schools.

John Segvich was the regional director for the Office of Catholic Schools for Vicariates V and VI. His devotion to Catholic education is immeasurable.

He was an advocate for the principals of the schools, and ever-mindful of the goal of excellent education and formation of the students.

His devotion to learning continues as he concludes his doctoral studies.

Joseph Malham is a celebrated iconographer. Eastern Rite churches recognize his gift to capture the intricate and sensitive lines of icon art; his works are in a dozen or so churches of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and several dozen more out of state, as well as monasteries, convents, universities and religious institutions.

Malham currently is working on a commission for the Felician Sisters on Peterson Avenue, and is in dialogue with the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations about an original image of the Blessed Mother as Patroness of Vocations. He has worked on commissions for the Office for Divine Worship of the archdiocese, the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, and is presently, working on a commission for the cause for sainthood of the Servant of God Father Augustus Tolton.

His studio is located at St. Gregory the Great Parish.

The Christifideles Award is given to Catholic laypeople who have, by participating in parish life, demonstrated the personal and ministerial renewal called for by the papal exhortation Christifideles Laici, calling the laity to the “vocation of responsibility for the church’s life springing from the gift and mission of their baptism.” This year’s recipients are listed below. Listings are alphabetical by parish. The churches are in Chicago unless otherwise noted:

Bill and Margaret Graff, St. Anne, Barrington; Mark Matias, St. Dismas, Waukegan; Vicki Schwarz, St. Edna, Arlington Heights; Allen & Janet Gozzola, St. Francis De Sales, Lake Zurich; Kris McKavanagh and Rosemary Wheeler, Holy Cross, Deerfield; Robert Palmer, St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates; Thomas Genest, Immaculate Conception, Highland Park; Kevin and Sharon Dillon, Michael and Stacy Reiss, St. James, Arlington Heights; Cristina Flores, St. James, Highwood; David Stimek, St. John the Evangelist, Streamwood; Ramiro Avila, St. Joseph, Round Lake; Paul and Debra Van Lysebettens, St. Julian Eymard, Elk Grove Village; James and Kathleen Pick, St. Marcelline, Schaumburg; Margaret J. Feinendegen, Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein; Ann Burke, St. Mary, Lake Forest; Kathleen Lenzen, St. Mary of the Annunciation, Mundelein; Loretta M. Foss and Claudia Walter, St. Mary of Vernon, Vernon Hills; Peter and Lucy Paik, St. Paul Chong Ha Sang Catholic Mission; Des Plaines; Larry and Joan Albrecht, St. Peter, Antioch; David and Lisa Brochu St. Peter, Volo; Seth & Desiree Hanford, St. Peter Damian, Bartlett; Mark and Joan Weiss, Prince of Peace, Lake Villa; Barbara Schumacher, Queen of the Rosary; Elk Grove Village; Norma Lucansky, St. Raphael the Archangel, Antioch; Mark and Joyce Gartz, St. Raymond De Penafort, Mount Prospect; Barbara Stancato, St. Stephen Protomartyr, Des Plaines; Michael Thompson, St. Theresa, Palatine; Wojciech, Anna, Karolina, and Krzysztof Chwala, St. Thomas Becket, Mount Prospect; Mieczyslaw and Krystyna Talaga, Transfiguration, Wauconda; David Mueller, St. Zachary, Des Plaines.

Karen Siciliano, St. Andrew; George and Janice Miller, Assumption; Mary Ann Kattner, St. Benedict; Mark Sexton, St. Clement; Melissa Vos, St. Cornelius; Kathleen Shanahan, St. Eugene; Martin McDermott, St. Gertrude; Huy Nguyen, St. Henry; Daryl and Ann McNabb, St. Hilary; Lori Doyle, Holy Name Cathedral; Patricia O’Neal and Gregg Steigmeyer, St. Ignatius; George and Donna Miles, Immaculate Conception (North Park Avenue); Colleen Mulligan, Immaculate Conception (Talcott Avenue); Helene Kowalik, St. Isaac Jogues, Niles; Teresa Gamboa, St. Ita; Rogelio Hernandez, St. Jerome; Kevin and Kathy Smith, St. Joan of Arc, Evanston; Joseph and Cecylia Tatkowski, St. John Brebeuf, Niles; Joseph and Linda Keller, St. Josaphat; Catania Gamble, St. Joseph (Orleans Street); Christopher and Marion Keefe, St. Joseph, Wilmette; Eileen Kutasi, St. Juliana; Judith Moylan, St. Margaret Mary; Dorothy M. Noel, St. Martha, Morton Grove; Joanna Elin Norcross, St. Mary, Evanston; William S. Krol, Mary, Seat of Wisdom, Park Ridge; Michael and Sarah Rabbitt, St. Mary of the Woods; Jose Juan and Maria Soledad Moreno, St. Nicholas, Evanston; Greg and Karla Irving, St. Norbert, Northbrook; Jane A. Thompson, Our Lady of Hope, Rosemont; Jeanette Hernandez, Our Lady of Mercy; Beshar Bahjat, St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge; Steve and Peggy Thordarson, St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield; Mark and Linda Cribben, Queen of All Saints Basilica; Monica and James Schultz Hohner, Queen of Angels; Dan, Teri, Kinsey, Bridget, Kelly and Sabrina Hagedorn, Sacred Heart, Winnetka; Ryan and Darlene Duggan, St. Tarcissus; Bill and Maribeth Ruehlmann, St. Thecla; Zachary Bernard, St. Vincent de Paul.

Rosario Loza, St. Agnes of Bohemia; Phillip and Catherine Whitehouse, St. Barbara (Throop Street); Joy Vanek and William Babuskow, St. Gabriel; Jennifer Cortez, St. John Berchmans; Mark Wojciechowski, St. Joseph; Eugenia Hamilton and Vincent Joseph, St. Malachy-Precious Blood; Madeline Morales, St. Mark; Gerard Dupee, St. Martin De Porres; José and Olga Calderon, St. Michael the Archangel; Mark Aguilar, Nativity of Our Lord; Joseph Panepinto, Notre Dame de Chicago; Martha Cahue, Our Lady of Fatima; Marge Kenny, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica; Aida Lopez, St. Philomena; Carmen R. Orendain, St. Therese Chinese Mission.

Ernest and Dorothy Brown, St. Beatrice, Schiller Park; Eugene and Louisa Newberry; St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy, Oak Park; Richard Josten, St. Celestine, ELmwood Park; Richard and Susan Kehoe, St. Constance; Teresa Mirabella, St. Cyprian, River Grove; Sharon Kumiega, Divine Savior, Westchester; Maureen Roberts, St. Domitilla, Hillside; McLouis and Harriette Robinet, St. Edmund, Oak Park; Barbara Sapp, St. Edward; Patricia A. Wenzel, St. Ferdinand; Humberto and Armida Quezada; St. Frances of Rome, Cicero; Maria Bycul, St. Francis Borgia; Robert and the late Dorothy Stephansen, St. Hugh, Lyons; Ed and Mary Jamrozik, St. John of the Cross, Western Springs; Gregory and Susan Ripoli. St. Louise De Marillac, LaGrange Park; Meredith and Sheila Murray, St. Luke, River Forest; August and Joan Campeotto, St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park; Robert Keehn, St. Mary, Riverside; Margarita Barajas, St. Mary of Celle, Berwyn; Juanita Rodriguez; Our Lady of Charity, Cicero; Rex and Sandra Wilson, Our Lady, Mother of the Church; Mary Boss, St. Pascal; Ann Lindwall, St. Pius X, Stickney; Anton and Kathy Voelker, St. Priscilla; Irene Felton, Sacred Heart, Melrose Park.

Kenneth Linka, St. Adrian; Anne M. Lichtenwalter, St. Alphonsus, Lemont; Richard Litak, St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park; Janusz and Beata Czachor, St. Blase, Argo; John and Anne M. Reedy, St. Cajetan; Elizabeth Poremba, St. Camillus; Ron and Therese Badali, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Oak Lawn; Rosemary Bresnahan, St. Christina; Beverly Marzec, SS. Cyril & Methodius, Lemont; Marian Neilly, St. Damian, Oak Forest; Albert A. Dilger; St. Denis; Robert and Catherine Velcich, St. Elizabeth Seton, Orland Hills; Sharon McCaffrey, St. Francis of Assisi, Orland Park; Pamela Walent, St. Gerald, Oak Lawn; Jennifer Stazak, St. Germaine, Oak Lawn; Alice Doherty, Incarnation, Palos Heights; Robert Lawler, St. James, Lemont; Geraldine Szymusiak, St. Jane De Chantal; Josephine Mejia, St. Joseph, Summit; Geri Gestaut and Mary Kay Geary, St. Julie Billiart, Tinley Park; Thomas and Maureen Dombro, Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park; Matthew Pender. Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown; Jerry and Michaeline Sokolowski, Our Lady of the Snows; James, MaryBeth and Matthew Sheehan, Our Lady of the Woods, Orland Park; James and Kathy Kash, St. Patricia, Hickory Hills; John and Katharina Eterno, St. Patrick, Lemont; Gerald Refermat, Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park; Ascencion Iniesta, St. Rita of Cascia; Marvin and Arlene Kuzdas, Sacred Heart, Palos Hills; Keith and Sharon Grill, St. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr, Tinley Park.

Keisha Chavers, St. Ambrose; Philip Wroblewski, St. Andrew the Apostle, Calumet City; Jamie Kasprzycki, St. Columba; Theresa Dishman, St. Elizabeth; Colette McHale Wisnewski, St. Irenaeus, Park Forest; Jack and Marge Hayes, St. Joseph, Homewood; Lessie Taylor, Evelyn Lee, Carolyn Robertson and Jannie M. Young, St. Kilian; Michael Bednarz, Mother of God, Burnham; Cruz Munoz, Our Lady Gate of Heaven; Ned and Shirley Dunbar, Our Lady of Peace; Ivan Lesina, Sacred Heart Croatian; Mildred Soriano, St. Thomas the Apostle.

St. Genevieve pastor Father Timothy O’Malley wanted to recognize many parishioners because no one from St. Genevieve had received the Christifideles Award for several years. These awards are to be conferred by Father Ronald Hicks, the vicar general, Jan. 24 at St. Genevieve Parish:

Bill and Betty Kinder, Florence and Schaeffer, Ignacio and Jasmin Herrera, Reynaldo Flores, Margarita Nolasco, Jose and Cruz Casas, Rita Cox, Jean Juske, Mary Zajac, Elipsia Gonzalez, Raquel Fernandez, Maricruz Miranda, Alfonso Vinaja, Marion Howarth, Lorena Swisher, Melesio Sonon and Antonita Suarez.

Topics:

  • theology on tap
  • spiritual art
  • santa maria del popolo
  • st. agnes of bohemia
  • bishop quarter award
  • our lady of the angels
  • hopeline
  • our lady of ransom
  • st. francis of assisi
  • icons
  • st. geregory the great parish
  • christi fidelis award

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