Irene Sweeney earns 'Big Difference' Award

Intermountain Catholic

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Irene Sweeney (left) accepts the ?Big Difference? Volunteer Award from the Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and Pam Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah. Sweeney praised the work of the late Msgr. William McDougall for co-founding Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters 20 years before the current organization got started. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — Irene Sweeney is usually recognized for giving of her time, talent, and treasure to others. On Oct. 14, this generous woman was honored for giving of herself when 50 years ago she became Utah’s first Big Sister.

At the 30th anniversary luncheon of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, Sweeney received the "Big Difference" Volunteer Award from the Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and Pam Sanders, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah.

Also honored at the luncheon were Gary Doctorman, former chairman of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah. He was given the "Big Legacy" Award. The "Big Champion" Award went to the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

In his keynote address, Bishop Wester praised those special, giving people who make time in their lives for girls without mothers and boys without fathers.

"Much of my ministry was spent being an assistant pastor, an assistant superintendent, an administrative assistant, and an auxiliary bishop. I was reminded of the Barbra Streisand song, ‘Second Hand Rose.’

"Society pays little attention to those who aren’t at the top. Who were the vice presidents to Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Franklin Roosevelt? I can’t even remember most of the modern vice presidents."

We live in a celebrity society, the bishop said. "We love those in the limelight, not those in the wings. And all you have to do is drive on I-15 to know that we live in a competitive society, one that is always aware of the race."

Then, he changed the metaphor a bit.

"In the above environment, one of competition, it is not surprising that we have conflict: people vying for number one, but Jesus taught us a new way to look at this.

"We are used to hearing about the ‘fight or flight’ response, but Jesus shows us a third way to respond. Other faiths have their own way of expressing it."

The bishop told a story about South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, who spent years in prison during the time of apartheid. After he release, he went on to become president of his country and a major voice for peace in the world.

One day, after his release, he was walking down the street, and a white man came toward him walking in the opposite direction.

The man said to Tutu: "You’d better get off the road. I don’t like to walk on the same road as gorillas."

Tutu stepped off the street, and as the man passed him, he simply said, "Neither do I."

"Tutu didn’t stoop to the man’s level, nor did he become upset and make a scene," the bishop said. "He neither fought nor did he take flight of the situation. He simply responded with serenity.

"That is how we should respond to things – as if God – Christ – is at the center of our lives," said Bishop Wester. "We can reflect this serenity without involving ourselves in ‘fight’ or ‘flight,’" by standing as witnesses to the way of love, compassion, and peace."

Bishop Wester said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah exemplifies this third way of dealing with things.

"You are men and women willing to give witness to virtue, compassion, and love. And you do this in three ways: without being in the limelight, without being ‘number one’ but allowing your little brothers and sisters to have that.

"The second way you do that is by allowing your little brothers and sisters to be themselves, complete with their failings and their faults."

The third way Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah respond with Christ at the center is by remaining committed, faithful, and dedicated.

"Irene Sweeney is a living example of love, compassion, and virtue; commitment, faith, and dedication, he said. "She has dedicated her life to making others look good. She lives simply and gives generously.

"The last time we visited her house, I was pleased to see Irene surrounded by books on tape. She is extremely well read. She is also engaged with people, and she knows what is needed.

"But she is not a pushover," the bishop said. "She is no bleeding heart. She is one who challenges others with an eye toward growth. She is a big sister to all of us."

Bishop Wester thanked Sanders, saying, "May we all be Big Brothers and Big Sisters to one another. The world would be a better place, with no fighting, no surrendering, just people living in witness to God-given values."

Sweeney deflected the honor away from herself, speaking instead of the work of Msgr. William H. McDougall, who first called her and invited her to be a big sister.

"Let us all recall the goodness of Msgr. McDougall all the good he did, and say a prayer for him," she said. "He challenged us all to be better than we are."