Bill Text: IL HR0968 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Father Michael Goergen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-24 - Resolution Adopted [HR0968 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0968-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are pleased to congratulate Father Michael
Goergen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his
ordination as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Fr. Michael Goergen was born on June 16, 1936; his
parents are Virginia (Rogers) and Michael A. Goergen; he has 7
siblings, Rosanne, Robert, Chuck (deceased), Tim, Georgine,
Troy, and Joel (deceased); and
WHEREAS, At an early age, Fr. Michael Goergen heard "God's
Call"; for 18 years, he attended the St. John Bosco parish; Fr.
Don Cunningham, his parish priest at St. John Bosco, made a
deal with him to enter Quigley High School for his freshman
year and to transfer out if it "didn't fit"; Fr. Goergen chose
to stay at Quigley; during his 5th year at Quigley, he and his
family moved to LaGrange Highland, where he remained until he
was ordained; the family subsequently settled in Darien; after
graduation, he entered St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein; while
in seminary, he was employed at R.R. Donnelly in the bindery;
and
WHEREAS, Fr. Michael Goergen was ordained as a priest on
April 28, 1962; his first appointment after ordination was at

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St. Eulalia in Maywood, where he became an avid handball
player; during this time, he was a member of the firefighter
engine no. 42 and 60 handball teams; during the 1960s, his team
took 1st place at the Mercy Boys Home handball tournament 3
times; and
WHEREAS, After his tenure at St. Eulalia, Fr. Michael
Goergen was transferred to Queen of Saints, where he served for
7 years; he subsequently served at Queen of the Universe for 6
years and at St. Cristina's for 2 years; in 1982, he became
Pastor of the congregation at St. Nicholas of Tolentine; and
WHEREAS, After taking a 6 month sabbatical to Notre Dame in
1994, Fr. Michael Goergen began serving at St. Robert
Bellarmine, which became his new home for the next 12 years; in
2006, he retired to St. Bartholomew, where he continued his
work of visiting children, comforting the sick, praying with
the families who have lost a loved one, celebrating a wedding,
anniversary, or baptism, using his woodworking skills on wood
found around the rectory, or pulling weeds on the parish
campus; and
WHEREAS, Fr. Michael Goergen enjoys golfing, vacationing
in Door County in Wisconsin, and spending time with his nieces
and nephew; and

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WHEREAS, Fr. Michael Goergen serves as a model of hard
work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
Illinois; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate Father Michael Goergen on the occasion of the
50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest of the
Archdiocese of Chicago; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Fr. Michael Goergen as a symbol of our esteem and
respect.