HR0090LRB098 10761 GRL 41152 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate  Michael Penich Jr. on the 
4occasion of the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the 
5Diaconate; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Michael Penich Jr. was born on November 23, 1949, 
7in Waukegan; his parents are Jennie and Michael Penich Sr.; he 
8married Mary Ellen Gravel on August 11, 1973, at St. Joseph 
9Church; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, In September of 1954, Michael Penich Jr. entered 
11kindergarten at Mother of God Parochial School, where he 
12received First Communion, was confirmed, served as an Altar Boy 
13and Master Server, and graduated in June of 1963; he then 
14attended North Chicago High School, where he graduated in June 
15of 1967; after graduating from Western Illinois University, he 
16earned his master's degree in August of 1973; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, After college, Michael Penich Jr. returned to 
18North Chicago, where he taught for 6 years; he subsequently 
19served as a principal for 27 years, touching the lives of 
20hundreds of children, parents, and colleagues; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Michael Penich Jr. served as board member and then 
 
 
HR0090- 2 -LRB098 10761 GRL 41152 r

1vice-president of the Warren Township High School Board of 
2Education from 2005 to 2009; and
 
3    WHEREAS, After completing 3 years of coursework with his 
4wife at his side, Michael Penich Jr. was ordained to the 
5Diaconate by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin on April 30, 1988; from 
61988 to 1991, he served as Deacon at St. Patrick Parish; in 
7December of 1991, he was welcomed to serve as Deacon at St. 
8Paul the Apostle Parish in Gurnee by Father Farrell Kane and 
9Father Philip Nessinger; he and his wife assisted in the 
10formation of the new parish and went on to serve under 
11subsequent pastor, Father Raymond Clennon; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Since his ordination, Michael Penich Jr. has 
13witnessed numerous marriages, provided baptism preparation, 
14baptized more than 2,000 children, preached, directed, and 
15taught the RCIA Program, cared for the sick and those in 
16mourning, spent countless hours listening, and simply "being 
17there" for people; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Michael Penich Jr. served as hospice chaplain of 
19STAR Hospice, where comforted the dying and their families from 
202005 to 2013; he and his wife also coordinated the religious 
21education program at St. Joseph Church for 8 years; and
  
 
22    WHEREAS, Michael Penich Jr. is the loving father of 2 sons, 
 
 
HR0090- 3 -LRB098 10761 GRL 41152 r

1Michael Joseph and Timothy Michael, and the grandfather of 
2Ellie, Lauren, and Claire; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Michael Penich Jr. serves as a model of hard work, 
4integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of 
5Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
7NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
8we congratulate Michael Penich Jr. on the occasion of the 25th 
9anniversary of his ordination to the Diaconate and wish him 
10continued success and happiness in the future; and be it 
11further
  
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
13presented to Michael Penich Jr. as a symbol of our esteem and 
14respect.