CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO FATHER SIMON BRAGANZA ON TWENTY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
WHEREAS, Father Simon Braganza is celebrating the joyous milestone of twenty five years as a Catholic priest; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this special occasion by Alderman Margaret Laurino, 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Hailing from the Archdiocese of Hyderabad in South Central India, Father Simon was ordained a priest in 1992. His first appointment was to the school he attended as a child, St. Mary's School in Secunderabad, India, where he served as Vice Principal from 1992 to 1995; and
WHEREAS, Father Simon served as Secretary to the Archbishop of Hyderabad, India; thereafter was called to an appointment as Associate Pastor at Holy Family Church in Trimulgherry, India until 1996; and
WHEREAS, He served as Pastor for Our Lady of Lourdes in Bandlines, India from until May 1997 and continued his sacred studies at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary from 1997 until 1999; and
WHEREAS, In August 1999, after leaving his native India, Father Simon relocated to Chicago to begin a new chapter in his priesthood, humbly serving at St. Henry's Church, one of Chicago's diverse Asian-American parishes, in West Rogers Park, from 1999 to 2002. In 2002, he was transferred to St. Tarcissus Church in the Gladstone Park neighborhood, where he remained until June 2009; and
WHEREAS, Since July 2009, Father Simon has served as the Associate Pastor of Queen of All Saints Basilica, His steadfast devotion to the parish community and its ministries, demonstrates his multifaceted style of interacting with the Church's flock from ministering to the QAS Men's Club, mentoring and directing the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults program, and leading annual pilgrimages to the Holy Land and;
WHEREAS, Father Simon continues to share his Holy gifts and talents as current Administrator of Queen of All Saints. His guidance in overseeing a large parish shows his willingness to not shy away from a challenging task ; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, June 4, 2017, the faith community of Queen of All Saints Basilica will gather together to commemorate Father Simon Braganza's 25th anniversary, giving thanks and well wishes; now, therefore
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered here this twenty fourth of May 2017, do hereby congratulate Reverend Simon Braganza on the occasion ofthe 25th Anniversary of his ordination and do hereby recognize his significant contributions and profession and to his Queen of All Saints Basilica family; and