HR111INTRODUCED
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HR111
AJFIQS7-1
By Representative Holk-Jones
RFD:
First Read: 07-Mar-24
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5 AJFIQS7-1 03/07/2024 LMG (L)lmg 2024-1094
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First Read: 07-Mar-24
HR____ CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MONSIGNOR THEODORE
H. HAY.
WHEREAS, with special pleasure, we offer joyful
felicitations to Monsignor Theodore H. Hay, who is
celebrating his milestone 100th birthday; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Hay was born March 12, 1924, in
Miami, Florida; after graduating from Gesu High School, a
Catholic school run by Jesuits, he felt the call to be a
priest; his journey to priesthood began by attending St.
Charles College in Grand Coteau, Lousiana, followed by
Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama; subsequently, he was
accepted into seminary at St. Mary's University in
Baltimore, Maryland; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Theodore H. Hay was ordained a
Catholic Priest in 1955 by the late Archbishop Thomas J.
Toolen in Mobile, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Hay has given not only of his time
and energies, but also of his compassion, intelligence, and
leadership to the people under his care throughout his life;
consequently, he should be recognized for his lifetime of
service; and
WHEREAS, throughout his 69 years as a Priest and a
Teacher in the Archdiocese of Mobile, he has fulfilled a
number of assignments and location changes; he was first
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number of assignments and location changes; he was first
assigned to St. Paul's Church in Birmingham as Assistant
Pastor, then he became the Assistant Pastor at St.
Margaret's Church in Bayou la Batre, where he also assumed
the responsibilities of teaching religion, history, and
algebra in St. Margaret's High School; and
WHEREAS, following his time at St. Margaret's Church,
Monsignor Hay was appointed as Chaplain for the Catholic
patients of Searcy Hospital, a state psychiatric facility;
shortly thereafter, he was appointed by Federal Judge Thomas
as a Member of the Human Rights Committee where he served
until the Committee's dissolution; he attained his
certification as a Mental Health Chaplain while serving at
Searcy Hospital by completing an internship at St.
Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Hays became certified by the
United States Catholic Conference's Board of Chaplains which
oversees all priests serving as chaplains in the VA and the
military; after three years, he was named Chief of Chaplains
and served for seven years with dignity and good grace in
that capacity; and
WHEREAS, the Mobile Archdiocese moved for Monsignor
Hays to return to Alabama to fulfill the position of Mental
Health Catholic Chaplain at Searcy Psychiatric Hospital;
upon his return, he resumed his position as Pastor of St.
Cecilia Church where he served until his retirement in 1992,
when he was named Pastor Emeritus; and
WHEREAS, although retired from parish life, Monsignor
Hay retained the position of Catholic Chaplain at Searcy
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Hay retained the position of Catholic Chaplain at Searcy
Hospital at the Poundstone Admissions Unit in Daphne; in
October 2002, though still in retirement status, he was
appointed Administrator of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish
in Foley, and he remained in that capacity until November
2003; and
WHEREAS, rare indeed is the impressive dedication
shown by an individual for the benefit of others which
Monsignor Theodore H. Hay has displayed throughout his life;
he should be celebrated and recognized on the occasion of
his centennial birthday;
WHEREAS, a 100th birthday is a significant milestone
that represents a century worth of wisdom earned and
memories gained and is a cause of great rejoicing; now
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That Monsignor Theodore H. Hay is
highly honored and celebrated for reaching his milestone
100th birthday and we are pleased to offer him this
resolution as evidence of our high regard for his many good
works and with sincere wishes for many more happy and
healthy birthdays to come.
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