RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING FATHER JAMES BARRETT ON HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Father James "Jim" Barrett, celebrated his retirement as Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in the West Rogers Park neighborhood on June 18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this milestone by the Honorable Alderman Margaret Laurino ofthe 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Father Jim was born and raised on the great South Side of Chicago, hailing from St. Leo the Great and St. John Fischer Parishes, by his mother and father, both natives of County Mayo, Ireland. Mr. Barrett is one of seven siblings-; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Brother Rice High School in 1964 and then received his Bachelor's Degree in 1968 from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, he then began his service to Catholic education teaching at St. Gerald School in Oak Lawn. Next he was principal at Mater Christi School for three years; and
WHEREAS, Father Jim's true calling was inspired by three individuals that encouraged him to enter into the priesthood: Father Bob McLaughlin; Father (now Archbishop) Jerry Listecki of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and most importantly Sister Marilyn Meisner, Father Jim's eighth grade teacher; and
WHEREAS, Father Jim at first hesitated but humbly went ahead with being ordained a priest within the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1982 by the late Auxiliary Bishop Nevin Hayes. Thereafter Father Jim served in various parishes including Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago, as an associate pastor; St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston/Skokie, as pastor from 1996 to 2006; and as pastor at his beloved St. Margaret Mary until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, with Father Jim's outgoing and jubilant personality, his wonderful enthusiasm on and off the pulpit, his good wit and storytelling, he demonstrates the love and admiration for the people of the parishes he served in; and
WHEREAS, Father Jim's indomitable spirit and toughness were apparent when he survived a robbery in December 2015 when he was on his way to the bank to deposit funds from the parish. He was slightly injured but recovered quickly and was rallied around by many parishioners and his fellow priests showing that faith, hope, and charity conquers all; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 22nd of June, 2016, do hereby extend our best and happiest wishes to Father James Barrett upon his retirement; and
Margaret Laurino Alderman, 39th Ward
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Father James Barrett.