2021 American Catholic Press Benefit

The American Catholic Press (ACP) benefit is currently scheduled to be held on Friday, December 3, 2021. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner starting at 7:00 p.m. The venue for this benefit is Olympia Fields Country Club, in Olympia Fields, Illinois. You get there by going south on I-57 Expressway, exiting eastbound at Vollmer Road, and turning south on Western Avenue. Just after Joe Orr Road, you turn west, on the west side of Western, onto Country Club Road. After about a quarter mile, you come to a watchman and a barrier; the club is gated. You identify yourself to the watchman at the gate; just say that you are there for the American Catholic Press benefit. The watchman then causes the barrier to go up. You then proceed forward and park in the lot in front of the main building, which you enter. No further identification is required. Click here for a local map of the area. Here is a link to a video of Olympia Fields Country Club.

At the 2021 ACP benefit, we enjoy a performance by the choir of Marian Catholic High School, under the direction of Alison Powell.

The Gratiam Dei Award

Marian Catholic High School was founded in 1958, with the support of Msgr. Walter Croarkin, pastor of St. Agnes Church, Chicago Heights. From the beginning, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, provided administration, faculty, and spiritual leadership.

At this 2021 benefit, we honor the Dominican Sisters who have done good work for the school, for the community, and for the Catholic Church.

The Dominican Sisters rightly deserve ACP’s highest honor, the Gratiam Dei Award.

This evening, we enjoy choral and instrumental music provided by the students and faculty. We also enjoy a short video on the school itself.

During the reception at 6-7 p.m., Greg Bimm with his renowned instrumentalists, will provide appropriate music. Dinner is at 7 p.m. After dinner, about 8:45 p.m., Alison Powell will direct the
Marian choir.

The Henry Hyde Award

Illinois Right to Life Action has been active for years as a pro-life organization. Illinois Right to Life aims to support a culture of life in Illinois by working carefully through current legislation.

Each year, Illinois Right to Life Action makes at least 700 contacts with legislators and meets with them often four or more times.

The organization sponsors training sessions, seminars, and its official podcast, Life Chat.

The executive director, Amy Gehrke, on behalf of Illinois Right to Life Action, will accept ACP’s Henry Hyde Award.