Today, on behalf of our parishes, I want to extend our congratulations to both Deacon Willam Pouncy and Prentice Butler for awards given to them in recognition of their service to the community.

Deacon William Pouncy serves as a Deacon at both Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy and Saint Giles and Saint Simon of Cyrene Parishes. Besides preaching and assisting at Mass, William has served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Archdiocesan Black Catholic Deacons. Currently, he works with families preparing for Baptism, presides at Baptisms, leads and supervises two food pantries at Saint Martin De Porres and Saint Agatha Churches, and helps plan and execute the Annual Christmas Giving Program.

Deacon Pouncy, supported by his wife, Abbie, is a faithful servant of the Church whose ministry extends beyond the expectations of his diaconal covenant. We congratulate William on receiving the Augustus Tolton Award for Religious Leadership at the 48th Annual African American Heritage Prayer Service. This honor is so well deserved.

Prentice Butler is the founding Director of The Neighborhood Bridge; a nonprofit created in 2023 that walks with residents on the West Side of Chicago as they connect to human services in the area. They particularly focus on the families and students from the Austin neighborhood attending Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy, Saint Angela, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Catalyst Rock, and Christ the King College Prep schools.

Prentice received the 32nd Archbishop James P. Lyke African American Male Image Award honoring his service in our community. The award is named for one of the first Black Catholic Archbishops in the United States who was born on the South Side of Chicago and became a Franciscan Friar. Although I was not familiar with this award until now, it was with great pride I attended the award ceremony to celebrate and recognize his achievements.

I wanted to lift both men up and ask that you pray for them and their work. We can all be proud of our Oak Park Catholic Communities and Neighbors, for the support given to the great work of our Church.

On this third Sunday of Lent remember just as Jesus was waiting for the woman at the well, Jesus will meet us here in our need and provide life-giving water for all our spiritual thirst.

With you a Christian, for you, a priest.

Fr. Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish

Christmas Markets in Poland! Any interest? I am organizing this trip, and you are invited - November 28th-December 8th. We will visit Gdansk, Warsaw, Krakow and more sites. For information pick up a brochure at the parish office.