HR1222 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1222 LRB096 22266 GRL 41168 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Sister M. Nicholas Tosseng on the occasion of her 60th anniversary of service with the educational ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis; and

WHEREAS, Sister M. Nicholas Tosseng was born in Chicago; she is one of the 4 children of the late Helen and Nicholas Tosseng; and

WHEREAS, Sister Nicholas attended St. Francis de Sales Grade School and High School in Chicago before entering the Sisters of St. Francis; she earned her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis (now University of St. Francis) in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, Sister Nicholas began her educational ministry in 1950 as a 4th grade teacher at St. Joseph's School in Joliet; for most of her 37 years in the classroom, she taught the middle grades at schools such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis de Sales, Assumption, and St. Ludmilla in Chicago; she also ministered at St. Stephen in Streator, St. Joseph's in Elgin, and St. Rita of Cascia in Aurora; and

WHEREAS, While teaching in Assumption School, Sister Nicholas was asked to go to Cook County Jail and tend to church supplies; this turned into a commitment that lasted nearly 22 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Sister Nicholas began her ministry as Parish Secretary and Bookkeeper at St. Tarcissus Parish, where she remained until her retirement in February of 2009; she continues to serve the parish as a Eucharistic minister, and by visiting the sick, unlocking the church at 5:45 A.M., sewing baptismal bibs for the parish baptisms, preparing meals for those in need, and collecting unused Christmas cards and calendars for the incarcerated at Kolbe House; and

WHEREAS, Sister Nicholas enjoys cooking and baking and enjoys giving her baked goods to the many people she helps on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, Sister Nicholas serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Sister M. Nicholas Tosseng on the occasion of her 60th anniversary of service with the educational ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis and wish her continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sister M. Nicholas Tosseng as a symbol of our esteem and respect.