RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Reverend Joseph A. Mulcrone will be celebrating his fortieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at St. Francis Borgia Church, and,
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this achievement by Alderman Ginger Rugai; and,
WHEREAS, Joseph Anthony Mulcrone, the oldest of eight children, was born November 24, 1945 to Edward Vincent Mulcrone and his wife, Mary Frances Fay; and,
WHEREAS, Joe attended Resurrection Grammar school, Quigley Seminary High School, and Niles College receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1967. Being called to the priesthood, Joe continued his education at Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, where he received his Master of Arts in Theology and was ordained as a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 12, 1971; and,
WHEREAS, Father Mulcrone has served as the Associate Pastor at St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston from July, 1971 to June, 1976, a Counselor at Quigley South Seminary High School from July, 1976 to July, 1977, Professor of Medical Ethics at St. Francis School of Nursing from September, 1972 to 1986, Adjunct Faculty member of Pastoral Studies at St. Mary ofthe Lake University since 1981, the Director of the Catholic Office of the Deaf Archdiocese of Chicago since 1977 and has been a resident at St. Francis Borgia Parish since 1983; and,
WHEREAS, "Father Joe" whose grandparents, Laurence and Josephine Fay were both deaf, was greatly influenced by their lives as well as the deaf advocacy of is mother Mary Frances, ministered in the deaf community for over thirty years. He has helped pass legislation in Illinois to create the position of State-Wide Coordination for Deaf Services in both the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Children and Family Services. He has also served as National Chaplin to the International Catholic Deaf Association as well as the Chairman for the Board of Directors for the National Catholic Office of the Deaf; and,
WHEREAS, Father Mulcrone continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Addictions Recovery of the Deaf, the Chicago Metro Coalition on the Abuse of Children with Disabilities and the Anixter Rehabilitation Center, where he also served as past president. In addition to serving on the Community Advisory Board for the City of Chicago Child Advocacy Center, he is also the Board of Director President for the Pilsen Wellness Center and the Cardinal Stritch Foundation for Deaf Children; and,
WHEREAS, Father Mulcrone previously served on the Board of Directors for Access Living and the National Center for Latinos with Disabilities. He co-chaired the State of Illinois Task Force on Abuse of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and the State of Illinois Task Force on Mental Health and Deafness. He also served as an Advisor to the State of Illinois Department of Mental Health, Rehabilitation Services, Children and Family Services, and the State Police; and,
WHEREAS, Father Joe has received the "Meritorious Service Award" from the Illinois Association of the Deaf, "The Coordinating Board Award" from the Association of Chicago Priests, and "Man of the Year Award" from the Sertoma Club; and,
WHEREAS, a family reunion for all members of the Mulcrone/Mulchrone/Fay/Fee will be held on Saturday, May 28th to reminisce over photo albums, family trees, good food, lively conversation, and of course Irish Soda bread; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled here this thirteenth day of April, 2011, do hereby congratulate Reverend Joseph Anthony Mulcrone on celebrating his fortieth anniversary as a Priest, applauding him for his remarkable commitment and impact on the deaf and hard of hearing community and for his passion and dedication to helping the citizens of Illinois and all those in need; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Reverend Joseph Anthony Mulcrone as a token of our esteem.
/ Virginia A. R^fjgai Alderman, 19th Ward