The Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest held his annual dinner earlier this month at the Pastoral Center of Atonement, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago President Terrence J. O’Brien received a Saint Joseph the Worker Award from The Most Reverend James Alan Wilkowski.
Each year, Bishop Wilkowski honors the work of individuals and organizations which enhance the quality of life for the community. The Bishop presented the award to President O’Brien and seven other individuals and groups in honor of the scope of their work and service.
“It is a privilege to be considered in a category with such distinguished honorees,” said President O’Brien. “The Pastoral Center of Atonement is an important asset to the community, and Bishop Wilkowski is a prolific, insightful leader.”
Other honorees included: The Fraternal Order of Police-Lodge 7 of Chicago; Cheryl L. Hyman, Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago; Honorable Avis La Velle, La Velle Consulting Services, LLC; Illinois Office of the Appellate Defender, Saint John the Evangelist Seminary; Bernie Tafoya, WBBM Radio; Honorable Mary S. Trew, Judge of the Circuit Court 9th Judicial Subcircuit; Wild Fire Harley-Davidson of Villa Park, IL.
John A. Fritchey, Cook County Board of Commissioners, 12th District, served as the event emcee. President O’Brien’s counterpart, Commissioner and Vice Chairman Barbara McGowan, was on hand to help celebrate and support her colleague.
“President O’Brien is a tremendous asset to the residents and businesses of Cook County,” said Vice President McGowan. “His service as a Commissioner and Board President have been, without question, one of the reasons the District has excelled as a government entity serving the wastewater and flood management needs for five million people. I congratulate him for this honor, but it is also with a heavy heart that I bid him farewell from his official service to the District and Board of Commissioners. He will be missed.”
After 24 years of service to the MWRD Board of Commissioners, President O’Brien presides over his last Board meeting on Nov. 15. Our water environment...Take it personally!
