* Deadline now extended to May 2nd, 2025! *
DOWNLOAD THE [revised] 2025 APPLICATION
Objectives & Goals: To recognize a deserving young person who exemplifies loving service and the personal qualities demonstrated by Monsignor Jim Kaczorowski, the Pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish between 2005-2023. Monsignor Jim is kind and encouraging, and he finds joy in serving others. Young people may remember the many homilies Monsignor Jim preached encouraging all parishioners to approach life with the attitude of, “How can I help you?” rather than, “What’s in it for me?”
Eligibility: Applicant must be an Eighth Grader or 2nd year Confirmation candidate the year the application is submitted. The student’s family must be a member of Queen of Apostles Parish and the student enrolled at either Queen of Angels School or St. Matthias School, or the student must be a part of the Queen of Apostles’ Religious Education program.
Selection Process: The Selection Committee will include: the Queen of Apostles Pastor (or a person assigned to represent him), the principal of Queen of Angels School (or a person assigned to represent him), the principal of St. Matthias School (or a person assigned to represent her), the Director of Religious Education for Queen of Apostles, and three parishioners at large. The Committee will review all applications, essays and letters of recommendation. The applicant pool will be narrowed to four finalists. Interviews will be conducted by the Selection Committee or a sub-set of the committee. The results will be announced at a Mass in late May or early June each year. Depending on the number of applicants and in the discretion of the Selection Committee, up to four awards will be presented each year.
Criteria: The committee will evaluate students’ applications and essays on their demonstration of loving service, leadership, empathy and how the applicant feels these values will provide them lifelong benefits. The student should also demonstrate that he/she is a good citizen and role model to his/her peers as well as a contributor to the community. Both the application and essay should be typed. Essays should be written entirely by the student and are limited to 1,000 words.
Deadlines: Completed applications and essays must be received by the Parish Office at 4412 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 no later than May 2nd. Late applications will not be considered. Finalists will be notified by mid-May. Interviews will be scheduled for late May.
Award: The award winner will be presented with a $500 check. While the award is intended to be used for school tuition and related expenses, families should use the award money as appropriate.
Length of Award Program: Awards will be presented at least through the 2026-27 school year and may continue beyond that time frame depending on the level of contributions to the award fund.
This is not a need-based award or scholarship. It is a value driven award.