Retired bishop receives award

More than 800 people gathered in Chicago last week to recognize former Green Bay Bp. Aloysius Wycislo's 66 years of service to the priesthood. Bp. Wycislo, a Chicago native, was presented the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin "As Those Who Serve" Award from Mundelein Seminary at "An Evening of Tribute," held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.

Mundelein has honored local Catholics at this annual event since 1994. Fr. John McMahon and Sr. Rosemary Connelly, RSM, both of the Archdiocese of Chicago, were also honored this year.

In receiving the honor, Bp. Wycislo shared a story about a retired abbot's wisdom that "with age and retirement comes truth."

"The truth is that I am happy to be an excuse this evening for a really worthy purpose," he said. "As for those accolades that come my way, the truth is that over the years I was astute enough to have surrounded myself with people smarter than myself. Ever so many have made me look good."

"The truth is that the award comes rather late in my life, but it does enhance my belief in God's providence," he continued. "You see, many days I get up with a kind of negative aspect in the beginning of my morning prayer because I say, 'God why are you keeping me here?' So I guess that among other things, he wanted me to be that excuse."

Patrick Beno, a seminarian at University of St. Mary of the Lake from the Diocese of Green Bay introduced Bp. Wycislo. Beno has felt the retired bishop's presence at Mundelein.

"I found it very interesting to see Bp. Wycislo's class picture hanging directly across from my door the day I moved in," he said. "A second coincidence came when I was on parish weekend recently. I was with a group of seminarians experiencing the Polish church community in Chicago. We were all split up to stay at different parishes for the weekend. I was surprised when I learned that the parish I was at-Our Lady of Chestohowa-is the parish that Bishop grew up in. His coat-of-arms is painted on the wall in the church with his motto. I regard these incidents as real evidence of the Lord's grace."

The evening benefits Mundelein . Honorary chairpersons for the banquet were Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and his wife, Maggie. Bp. Robert Banks served on the Bishop's Committee for the event.

In closing his introduction, Beno thanked Bp. Wycislo for his kindness and friendship.

"He truly exemplifies the title and the spirit of the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin 'As Those Who Serve' Award," said Beno. "On behalf of the Mundelein Seminary community, I would like to thank Bp. Wycislo for his steadfast love of the church and the gifts he has given it through his ministry."