Local couple receives award from Catholic Charities

Richard and Christine Guzior of Lemont received Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s 2012 Mandatum Award.

The couple was honored at the Gala of the Arts Sept. 7 in the Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier, an event where more than 440 benefactors and guests raised over $160,000 to benefit Catholic Charities Emergency Services for people in crisis. 

The Guziors are founders and owners of Richards Building Supply Company, a 34-year-old, family-owned wholesale distributor of building materials in nine Midwestern states and headquartered on the southwest side of Chicago. 

The parents of seven children, Richard and Christine are active members of St. James Parish at Sag Bridge in Lemont. They are members of Catholic Charities Board of Advisors and also serve on the Board of Directors for Holy Family Villa, a licensed skilled care facility for seniors sponsored by Catholic Charities in Palos Park. 

The Guziors have also been supporters of such Catholic Charities events as the Gala of the Arts, Holy Family Villa Golf Invitational, the Spirit of St. Nicholas Ball and other events and programs.

In addition, Richard has assisted the Missionary Sisters of Charity, the Roman Catholic religious congregation, founded by the late Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose 4,500 members serve impoverished people in 133 countries.

“Through their constant good spirit and dedication to Catholic Charities’ mission, Christine and Richard have made a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of people and families we serve,” said Msgr. Michael M. Boland, administrator, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the largest private non-profit social service organizations in the Midwest.

“This couple has answered the call to serve their neighbors in need by sharing their time, talent and resources. They are a living example of fulfilling Christ’s mandate to serve the poor and vulnerable through sustained acts of charity,” said Boland.

The award is inspired by the Latin mandatum, the first word in Jesus’ statement on Holy Thursday in the Gospel of John (13:34): “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you,” by which he explained to the Apostles the significance of his selfless act of washing their feet.

At the gala, the Guziors received a bas relief plaque created by Wild Goose Studios of Kinsale, Ireland, of Jesus washing the Apostles’ feet at the Last Supper.

Editor’s note: This story was provided in a press release from Catholic Charities.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are plenty of ways to keep up on Lemont news:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter

• Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.