Record #: R2020-363   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 6/17/2020 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 6/17/2020
Title: Congratulations extended to Father John Cusick on 50th anniversary of ordination
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2020-363.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, John Cusick was born on October 1, 1945 to his parents, Florence and George Cusick at Little Company of Mary Hospital; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of John Cusick's 50th Anniversary of his Ordination by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, As a teenager, John was a proud caddy and young Assistant Caddy Master at Beverly Country Club; and

 

WHEREAS, John attended and graduated from Quigley High School; and

 

WHEREAS, As a seminarian, John enjoyed his work at Angel Guardian Orphanage; and

 

WHEREAS, John was ordained on May 13, 1970 and celebrated his first mass at Little Flower Catholic Church on Sunday, May 17, 1970; and

 

WHEREAS, After ordination, Father John spent seven years at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge, Illinois where much of his work was dedicated to young people and their involvement in the parish and Church; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1977, Father John served as a faculty member of Niles College of Loyola University ("Niles Seminary"), the college seminary program for the Archdiocese of Chicago where he became the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the college seminary; and

 

WHEREAS, While at Niles Seminary, he was asked to become the Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry in the Archdiocese and was eventually appointed by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin on July 1, 1985 as Director of Young Adult Ministry.

 

WHEREAS, As the Director of Young Adult Ministry, Father John moved his office to Old St. Patrick's Church in 1985 where he lived and served as a resident until his retirement in 2014, and was internationally known for his work with young adults, married and single; and

 

WHEREAS, Father John designed and conducted workshops in Atlanta, Germany and Korea for Catholic Priest Chaplains in the United States Army; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1986, Father John founded The First Friday Club of Chicago, a monthly luncheon and speaker series to connect people to their work, faith, ethics and issues of the day; and

 

WHEREAS, As a result of an extremely successful fundraiser to benefit MS research, Father John was honored by being inducted as Chaplain to The Bartenders' Hall of Fame in 1992; and

 

WHEREAS, Beginning in 2004, Father John served on the Executive Ethics Commission of the State of Illinois; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Father John is a gifted speaker and has been asked to speak across the nation and around the world; and

 

WHEREAS, Father John has received many awards throughout his life and is the author of numerous books, including his most recent book, "Never be Ordinary: Wisdom from My Father", which was a tribute to his father, George Cusick; and

 

WHEREAS, Father John continues to be honored by being asked to say mass and preach at Old St. Patrick's Church; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members ofthe Chicago City Council, assembled this twentieth day of May, 2020, do hereby recognize Father John Cusick's 50th Anniversary Ordination as well as his lifetime achievements and accolades; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend John Cusick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward M. Burke Alderman, 14th Ward