RESOLUTION HONORING FATHER THOMAS GRIFFIN
WHEREAS, a special mass will be celebrated at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Chicago's Canaryville Community on Sunday, June 30, 2019; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Father Thomas Griffin's service to the parishioners of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, the parishioners of St. Gabriel Catholic Church will gather in a celebratory farewell Mass on June 30, 2019;and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this occasion by the Honorable Patrick D. Thompson, Alderman of the 11th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Griffin was raised in Holy Rosary Parish in the Roseland area where he attended Grammar School; and
WHEREAS, in 1972 Father Thomas Griffin graduated from Mendel High School, where he later graduated from DePaul with a BS in accounting; and
WHEREAS, in 1976 Father Thomas Griffin entered the Augustinian Seminary as was first ordained into the priesthood in April of 1983; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Griffin became a Navy Reserve Chaplain in 1986 thru 2000; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Griffin was appointed Pastor of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in 2012. On June 30, 2019, the Community of Canaryville, and the parishioners of St. Gabriel Church will gather in a celebratory farewell Mass; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Griffin's impact was seen immediately and his impact will continue to be seen in the weeks and years to come, even after his departure from St. Gabriel Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Griffin's outstanding service to the parishioners of St. Gabriel Parish and the community of Canaryville in living the vocation of Holy Orders; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Griffin's humility and reverence were only a few of his qualities. Father Griffin embraced and could relate to all age groups; and embraced everyone in all their joy and sorrows; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago Chicago gathered here this twenty-fourth day of July 2019, do hereby express our gratitude on behalf of the community of Canaryville and the Parishioner of St. Gabriel's Catholic Church for Father Thomas E. Griffin's outstanding service over the years, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitabl^Cop^ of this resol^ion be prepared and presented to Father Thomas E. Griffin, O.S.A. j
Patrick D. Thompson Alderman, 11th Ward