St. John Brebeuf Honors Fr. Tom As He Departs

Joyous music, a handbell choir, processions, banners, speeches and blessings greeted Fr. Tom May as the 13-year pastor of St. John Brebeuf Church said his last Mass as pastor Saturday.

The Archdioceses of Chicago is transferring May to St. Mary Church in Riverside.

"I've worked with clergy for a long time but I've never met anyone like Father Tom. He's easily the most generous person I've ever known," said Joanne Spata, the parish's business manager. "He's sincere in all he does and says." 

She also noted May led the parish debt-free for 12 of his 13 years, and led the parish's Millennium campaign to raise funds to build the parish ministry center, which helped solidify the various ministries and strengthen the parish.

When he celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest, the parish renamed it the Rev. Thomas P. May Parish Ministry Center, but, with a shortage of funds that year, the pastor asked that money not be spent to change the sign. Later, a parishioner underwrote the cost of the sign. 

Spata called May's action a sign of his humility.

Niles Mayor Robert Callero also spoke at the Mass, acknowledging May for working tirelessly to ensure the quality of the church and school. 

"Never have I found anyone who has not loved and admired this man," Callero said, heralding the pastor's accomplishments.

A concert of song and music at 4:30 p.m. Saturday preceded the farewell Mass, which lasted from 5 to 7:15 p.m. Near the end, Penny Guerreri, a teacher at St. John Brebeuf School, asked the attendees to raise and extend one hand in May's direction. Hundreds of people in church did so as Guerreri recited a blessing for the pastor in his past and future assignments. 

Click on the video to see a short clip from Father Tom's homily.