DuPage County briefs

Pastor tapped by pope:

The Rev. Joseph Siegel, the pastor of Visitation Parish in Elmhurst, has been named the new auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Joliet by Pope Benedict XVI. Siegel will be ordained a bishop on Jan. 19 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. In his new position, he will assist Bishop J. Peter Sartain in the pastoral administration of the Diocese of Joliet. A Joliet native, Siegel has served at St. Isidore Parish in Bloomingdale, St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield, St. Mary Nativity Parish in Joliet and at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. He has been pastor at Visitation since 2005. In addition to his parish ministry, he has served the diocese in many capacities.

Pet oxygen masks donated:

The Oakbrook Terrace Fire Protection District will receive three donated pet oxygen masks from Invisible Fence of Chicagoland to help prevent animals from being victimized by smoke inhalation in case of fire. The masks, which come in three sizes, will be presented to firefighters at 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at 17W400 Butterfield Road, Oakbrook Terrace.

Retired teachers pick VP:

Naperville resident Gary Elmen has been elected vice president of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and will begin his term Jan. 1. Elmen, who served 12 years as principal at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, was elected at the group's biennial convention Oct. 19-20 in Springfield. More than 500 retired educators served as delegates representing 31,000 members. Downers Grove resident Rudy Skul was honored at the same convention for his service to the organization.

Historian wins honor:

Warrenville's city historian, Leone Schmidt, has received the Lifetime Professional Achievement Award from the Illinois Association of Museums. The awards committee pointed to the recent publication of Leone's sixth book on Warrenville history as well as her prior service as the first curator of the Warrenville Historical Museum and as Warrenville historian.

Counsel general at NCC:

Ambassador Nomvume Pearl Magaqa, the counsel general of South Africa in Chicago, will speak about "South Africa Today" during a free appearance at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Her appearance is the third in a series of conversations at the college with counsel generals who are posted in Chicago. She is responsible for building relationships and promoting tourism and economic development between her country and 14 states. For details, call (630) 637-5276.