Msgr. John J. Egan, special assistant to the president of DePaul University on community affairs, has received the inaugural Community Catalyst Award from Inspired Partnerships, a nonprofit that helps religious congregations maintain and manage their property. The organization presented the award to Egan at a recent luncheon it hosted to honor his life work on behalf of social and worker justice.

     "Inspired Partnerships does great work for the community by transforming under-used or vacant property owned by religious organizations into space for community centers and neighborhood programs," said Egan. "I am very proud to receive this honor from them."

     Rev. Eugene Winkler, chairman of Inspired Partnerships, announced that the organization was donating $1,000 to the Egan Hope Scholars program, established in 1993 at DePaul in Egan's name to increase college opportunities for hard-working inner-city students who are often overlooked by college recruiters. The luncheon also featured the reading of a Chicago City Council proclamation recognizing Egan's lifelong dedication to community service.

     During his acceptance remarks Egan said he pondered the meaning of the word "catalyst" and found that it meant one who stimulates an action or reaction between two or more forces while standing outside the action. "Inspired Partnerships, it seems to me, has been one of the most successful forces in this city in stimulating and bringing about action among people."

     He said Inspired Partnerships helps religious leaders balance their mission with that of maintaining their facilities. "They have helped Chicago area congregations of all faiths to care for and use their buildings not only for worship, but for community service," he said. The group has spurred more than $19 million in community development by sparking improvements to religious properties.

     Egan has played an important role in fostering lay Catholic spirituality, and has been a lifelong advocate of civil rights and the rights of workers through labor unions. Since 1987, he has headed DePaul's office of community affairs, with his long-time assistant Peggy Roach.

     For more information about Inspired Partnerships call 312/294-0077.