HR0559 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0559 LRB104 16494 LAW 29890 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Monsignor Doug "Father Doug" Hennessy of Bloomington, who passed away on November 12, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Fr. Doug Hennessy, the son of Harry and Mary O'Connor Hennessy, was born in Bloomington on February 21, 1938; he graduated from Trinity Grade and High School; he attended Notre Dame University for two years before entering the seminary and earning a degree in philosophy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa; he completed his preparation for the priesthood at the North American College in Rome, Italy, and he received his bachelor's and licentiate degrees in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome; and

WHEREAS, Fr. Doug Hennessy was ordained as a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome on July 14, 1963; returning to the diocese, he served as an associate pastor at St. Paul Catholic Church in Macomb for three years; he then returned to school at Fordham University in New York, receiving a Master of Arts in Religious Education in 1968; upon his return to the diocese, he served as diocesan director of religious education through the summer of 1977; he later served as pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Urbana, St. Paul Catholic Church in Danville, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bloomington; he also returned to the North American College, where he served as part of the formation faculty for five years; and

WHEREAS, Fr. Doug Hennessy also served briefly as diocesan vocation director on the Presbyteral Council of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and on the diocese's Personnel Board for several terms; with Fr. Dick Bresnahan and later Fr. Tony Lee, he served as a co-moderator of Social Justice for the diocese for seven years and also served on the Diocesan Catholic Charities Board; he retired as pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and from active ministry on July 14, 2013, the 50th anniversary of his ordination; and

WHEREAS, Fr. Doug Hennessy championed the civil rights movement during his career, and he became active in immigration rights and other causes after his retirement; he will be remembered for his kindness and his half-century of service to the people of Central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Fr. Doug Hennessy was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marilyn Hennessy; and the many priests and sisters who added to his life and his priestly ministry; and

WHEREAS, Fr. Doug Hennessy is survived by his sister, Eileen Griffin; his niece, Sheila; his nephews, Jim (Ester) Griffin, Martin (Rachael) Griffin, Paul (Vanni) Griffin, and Dan Griffin; his great-nephews and great-niece; and countless people who allowed him to serve them as a priest; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Monsignor Doug "Father Doug" Hennessy and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Fr. Doug Hennessy as an expression of our deepest sympathy.