RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of eighty-nine; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A widely admired member of the religious community, the Reverend Richard J. Wojcik was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik served the Archdiocese of Chicago for sixty-three years and throughout much of his priestly life was a teacher, composer, director of music and choir director; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chicago on June 20, 1923, the Reverend Richard J. Wojcik graduated from St. Bruno School on the city's Southwest Side, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik was ordained to the priesthood in 1949 by Samuel Cardinal Stritch; and
WHEREAS, From 1950 to 1953, the Reverend Richard J. Wojcik served as a Professor of Latin and music at Quigley Seminary and as Director of the Cathedral Chant Choir; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik later began advanced studies in Sacred Music at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, where he also served as Vice Rector of the Casa Santa Maria del Lago Chicago house of studies; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, the Reverend Richard J. Wojcik was appointed to the faculty and made Director of Music at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary, positions he held until 1994 and 1990, respectively; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik was among the survivors of the sinking of the Italian liner Andrea Doria which collided in 1956 with another ship off the Nantucket coast; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik gave absolution and ministered to passengers during the tragedy which is remembered as one of world's worst maritime disasters; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik retired from active ministry in 1994, but continued to teach at the seminary; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard J. Wojcik will be especially remembered for his role in helping to prepare seminarians to serve the church through music; and
WHEREAS, To his brother, Eugene, and his beloved family, the Reverend Richard J. Wojcik imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this thirteenth day of February, 2013, do hereby commemorate the Reverend Richard J. Wojcik for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to