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.