HR1283 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1283 LRB095 20947 KXB 49938 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Father Thomas P. May, Pastor of the Saint John Brebeuf Parish in Niles, on the 25th anniversary of his ordination; and

WHEREAS, Thomas P. May was born on August 17, 1955 on the Northwest side of Chicago; he was the second of five children born to Joseph and Geraldine May; he attended Divine Savior Elementary School, followed by Notre Dame High School for Boys; he graduated from DePaul University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Having received the call of the Holy Spirit, Thomas May entered Mundelein Seminary in 1979; he served as a Deacon at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Parish on the Southside of Chicago from 1982-1983; he was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on May 7, 1983; during his studies at Mundelein, he earned a Masters of Divinity Degree; and

WHEREAS, Over the next 16 years, Father May served as Associate Pastor at St. Benedict, St. Priscilla, and St. John Fisher Parishes, faithfully serving Catholics throughout the City of Chicago; during this time, he implemented many programs and oversaw numerous events at his parishes, forming an unending bond with the people of faith whose lives he touched; and

WHEREAS, After honing his leadership skills, Father Thomas May was selected as Pastor of St. John Brebeuf Parish, in Niles, in 1999; there he utilized his years of experience in working with the people of God, in leading a flock of his own; under his direction, St. John Brebeuf Parish has flourished, with over 3,500 registered parishioner families, a large Elementary School, and a bustling Religious Education Program; Father Thomas May led St. John Brebeuf Parish into its Golden Age, having presided over the Parish's 50th Anniversary; under his guidance, plans were formulated, funds were raised, and construction was completed, for the renovation of everything from new roofs to new parking lots; and

WHEREAS, One of Father Tom's finest achievements was the building of the Parish Ministry Center, an 18,000 square-foot community space; a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel was also added to the Parish; and

WHEREAS, With a true sense of "One World-One Church", Father Thomas May has spearheaded projects to lend aid to numerous humanitarian relief missions, both in the United States and abroad, such as providing assistance to an Orphanage in the Dominican Republic, a School for Girls in Africa, the needs of the Church in Poland, and The Women's Center in Chicago; throughout his 25 years as a priest, Father May has continued to serve the Archdiocese of Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Father Thomas May and wish him the best as he continues to serve the Lord; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Father Thomas May as a symbol of our respect and esteem.