WHEREAS, Father Jeremy Thomas has served the St. Jerome parish since 2001 following ; and
WHEREAS, Father Jeremy, as he is affectionately known, has led the St. Jerome parish as pastor since 2005 following his incardination by the Archdiocese of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Born in Cardiff Wales on February 25, 1966, Father Jeremy is the third of four boys born to Hazel and Bernard Thomas; and
WHEREAS, After having graduated from St. Joseph School and Lady Mary High School in Wales Father Jeremy attended seminary at the Royal College of St. Alban in Valladolid, Spain; and
WHEREAS, Upon arriving in Chicago in 2001 he earned his master's degree in liturgy at Catholic Theological Union before being called to serve St. Jerome's parish; and
WHEREAS, While pastor at St. Jerome's Father Jeremy served on the executive council of the Presbyterial Council from 2007 to 2013, and chaired that council from 2010 until 2013; and
WHEREAS, During Father Jeremy's tenure St. Jerome's parish has grown to more than three thousand people with members from around the world, including the largest Hispanic population of any parish on the North Side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, St. Jerome's expanded its ministry and programs to support immigrants, seek social justice, build mental health, reduce domestic violence, feed the hungry and partner with the broader Rogers Park community; and
WHEREAS, Under his leadership St. Jerome's education programs teach the Catholic faith to over five hundred children annually, more than two hundred baptisms are performed per year, more than two hundred first communions and confirmations happen each year, and the educational ministry serves many developmentally disabled community members throughout Chicago and the region; and
WHEREAS, Father Jeremy's wprk has brought hundreds of youth closer to God to avoid gangs and violence, and has helped them to growi^into good citizens and assets to the community; and
WHEREAS, After sixteen years ministering to the parishioners of St. Jerome's Father Jeremy has been called by the Archdiocese to serve as vicar for priests of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Father Jeremy is a patient, caring man of God who has been a pastor in every sense, open to all in need; and
WHEREAS, the parishioners of St. Jerome's and the wider Rogers Park community are thankful for Father Jeremy's many years of service; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty fourth day of May 2014 C.E, do hereby recognize June 3, 2017 to be "Father Jeremy Thomas Day" in Chicago in honor of his faithful service to parishioners, the church and the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Father
Jeremy Thomas. f\ \ n ,