Sister Chilee Okoko, D.M.M.M., the Diocesan Director of Life, Dignity and Justice, received the Bishop David G. O’Connell Service Award from the California Catholic Conference (CCC) at its annual Summer Leadership Summit on June 13. The award is given to a Catholic ministry leader in California who lives out the late Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop O’Connell’s great commitment to serve the poor and marginalized in our communities. Sr. Chilee has done this faithfully and with great zeal in the diocese for 12 years.
“The Bishop David G. O’Connell award came as a very pleasant surprise,” Sr. Chilee said. “The kudos belongs most importantly to God who has provided the graces, energy and strength for such outreach/services. At the same time, it affirms the ministry and services of the Diocese of San Bernardino through the Department of Life, Dignity and Justice.”
In presenting the award to Sr. Chilee, CCC Executive Director Kathleen Domingo said that Sr. Chilee has been instrumental in influencing other ministry leaders in California to work with their heart and the mind of Christ in the Church.
“Knowing what this award represents and the story of Bishop David O’Connell in whose memory the California Catholic Conference instituted this award, receiving this award is not only a recognition for past efforts, services, but a concrete challenge to continue doing more in loving, caring and accompanying the little, the last and the least of our community, to remain the hope for the hopeless and the voice for the voiceless,” Sr. Chile said.
The award is in memory of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop O’Connell, who was known for being very active in serving those in need. He was found deceased in his Hacienda Heights home on February 18, 2023, from a gunshot wound.