HR1151LRB097 21847 GRL 70539 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Fr. Thomas Bernas
4for his 15 years of dedicated service at St. Richard Catholic
5Church in Chicago; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Thomas Bernas was born in Evergreen Park, in 1958;
7he attended St. Pancratius Grammar School and Quigley
8Preparatory Seminary South; after graduating from high school
9in 1976, he enrolled at the Loyola University of Chicago, where
10he earned his degree in 1980; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Thomas Bernas entered seminary in 1989 at the St.
12Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein; after his ordination in
131994 at Holy Name Cathedral by Cardinal Bernardin, he was
14assigned to St. Richard Catholic Church in 1997 as an
15administrator; his conscientious and tireless work for the
16parish resulted in his appointment as pastor in 1999; and
 
17    WHEREAS, During his tenure as pastor, Thomas Bernas devoted
18his time and energy to improving the community of St. Richard
19Catholic Church and the surrounding area; he overhauled the
20parish's finances, paying off its debt and keeping it
21debt-free; he completed several renovation projects initiated
22by his predecessor, including the re-painting of the church,

 

 

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1the replacement of the church's organ, and the installation of
2an elevator to facilitate handicapped access; he oversaw the
3construction of the St. Richard Parish Center and a gymnasium
4used by the school's children and numerous community groups; he
5also supervised a complete renovation of the priest's residence
6and was instrumental in the creation of a recent building
7renovation and floor plan reconfiguration; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Thomas Bernas has been an active member of his
9community life; every year, he has hosted the Archer Heights
10Civic Association Halloween Party for community children in the
11church hall and an annual blessing of Chicago firefighters,
12paramedics, and police officers; and
 
13    WHEREAS, After 15 years of service at St. Richard, Thomas
14Bernas will begin a new assignment at St. Rene Goupil Parish,
15where he will undoubtedly continue his wonderful work in
16service of his congregation and the community as a whole;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we congratulate Fr. Thomas Bernas for his 15 years of dedicated
21service at St. Richard Catholic Church and wish him continued
22success and happiness at St. Rene Goupil Parish; and be it
23further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Thomas Bernas as a symbol of our esteem and
3respect.