|
Dear Parishioners,
Christifideles Award: Congratulations to Elaine Maci!
Cardinal Blase Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago have established an award, the Christifideles, which is to be given to a layperson in each parish that demonstrates faithfulness and dedication in ministry.
The September congratulation letter announced that Elaine Maci has been chosen to receive this award with the approval of her pastor and Bishop Andrew Wypych, Episcopal Vicar for Vicariate V.
Cardinal Blase Cupich will confer the award at a ceremony at Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, October 1st, for invited guests only.
Elaine has been a long-time member of the parish. She is the mother of 3 grown children and devoted grandmother. Elaine is a person of prayer who attends daily mass and is always present each Sunday. Elaine has been a dedicated Religious Education Teacher and Religious Education Volunteer for many years. She has served on the Parish Pastoral Council and as a Eucharistic Minster. She is always cheerful and willing to help in any way she can.
As we embark on Building a New Reality — Renew My Church, I cannot say enough about Elaine and her forward-thinking vision of what ministry is all about. She is welcoming, hard working and desires to bring people to Christ by her words and deeds. And, yes, she is able and wiling to do the mundane and sometimes hard task of telling people what is expected of them.
The El Salvador Martyr, Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was gunned down while celebrating mass because he was speaking the truth to power said: “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and do it very well. It may be incomplete but it is a beginning. A step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter in and do the rest.”
Congratulations, Elaine — Because of your faith in God, you are able to “do something” and “do it very well.”
Yes, you are a good and faithful servant!
Father Mike Meany
***
Generous Praise Given to Julie Villegas-Suarez and Her Fellow Co-Workers!
A big shout out to our own Julie Villegas-Suarez, who is now Vicariate Finance Manager for Vicariate V & VI for a job well done at the Parish Business Leadership Training Session on September 20, 2023 at the Cardinal Albert Meyer Center, 3525 South Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653!
Julie was one of the presenters at an all-day training session lead by Bishop Robert Casey, Vicar General and Betsy Bohlen, Chief Operating Officer.
Julie joined pastors and other Archdiocesan Officials in instructing and encouraging new Operation Director hires and their pastors to be fiscally responsible and pastorally sensitive. In particular, Julie spoke about the topic, “Day-in-the-life of an Operation Director” in the morning, and in the afternoon, “Revenue Management for Churches/Schools.”
We were very fortunate to have her continued assistance in moving the mission of the parish forward not only fiscally but ministerially!
Deborah Cabezas, Parish Reporting & Support Manager from the Archdiocese of Chicago, Department of Parish Operations Support, praised the day’s outcome and its presenters.
“A tremendous thank you for taking the time to present at our Fall 2023 session of the Parish Business Leadership Training Course on September 20. The turnout was amazing with 100% of registrants attending the training.
The participation from the class and knowledge was remarkable, which shows all the great work the team has done in hiring and training new ODs.
Your presentations have received quite a bit of positive feedback—thank you for putting in the time on them and helping our business leaders learn more about making an impact at their parish and across the arch!”
Julie, thank you for making St. Patricia proud! Go Bobcats!
Father Mike Meany
| 
