CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO REVEREND MONSIGNOR WAYNE F. PRIST ON FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
WHEREAS, The Reverend Monsignor Wayne F. Prist is celebrating the joyous milestone of fifty years of priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this occasion by Alderman Margaret Laurino, 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Prist, an outstanding spiritual leader and member of the 39th Ward and Sauganash community, has accomplished much with the grace of God over the last fifty years; and
WHEREAS, Raised at Infant Jesus of Prague Parish in the Chicago Heights-Flossmoor area, Monsignor Prist was inspired to join the priesthood during his formative years at St. Agnes grade school. He attended Quigley (North) Preparatory Seminary, a high school administered by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago for young men considering the priesthood, then went on to further his spiritual education at the University of St. Mary of the Lake; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Prist's initial parish assignments were at Saint Giles Parish in Oak Park, thereafter at St. John Bachmans in Logan Square, and then to St. Anne's Parish in Barrington, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, While humbly serving as an Associate Pastor at these respective parishes, Monsignor also produced and appeared on several television programs within the Chicago and nationwide viewing audience; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Prist founded the Summer Scripture Seminary at the University of St. Mary the Lake, a program he directed for 22 years. During that time period, the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin appointed him Director of the Center for Pastoral Ministry which evolved into the Center for Development in Ministry; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Monsignor Prist, recognized for his unique approach in leadership, was appointed Chairman of the Archdiocesan Millennium Committee by the late Francis Cardinal George, realizing the need for renewed evangelization as the Church came into the modern age; and
WHEREAS, Calling him back to parish life, Monsignor Prist was assigned and appointed as Pastor of Queen of All Saints Basilica after the untimely death of the late Reverend Charles Cronin. Monsignor came to the parish with a new vision, vigor and purpose; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his fourteen year tenure as Pastor, Monsignor Prist oversaw the Parish in ways that would forever impact the vitality of what it is today, steadfastly reiterating the motto of "Building the Church Together" ; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered here this 19th day of April 2017, do hereby congratulate Reverend Monsignor Wayne F. Prist the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of his ordination and do hereby recognize his significant contributions to Queen of Saints Basilica.
MARGARET LAUIRNO Alderman, 39th Ward
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Monsignor Wayne Francis Prist.
