Theodore Haas Obituary

On Easter Sunday afternoon a great pastoral leader in the diocese of Colorado Springs went home to his Eternal Reward as he also celebrated his 85th birthday. Rev. Theodore A. Haas was born in Colorado Springs, CO on March 27, 1920, son of Norbert and Florence (Gillis) Haas. He attended St. Mary's Grade and High School, graduating in 1937. He entered St. Thomas Seminary in the Fall of 1937 and having completed college and theology courses, was ordained on June 3, 1944 in the Denver Cathedral by Archbishop Vehr. Father offered his first Solemn Mass in St. Mary's Church on June 11, 1944 and was assigned to St. Patrick's Church in Denver. In 1948 he was named Chaplain of St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver and taught religion in the School of Nursing there. In 1954 Fr. Haas was appointed Pastor of St. Peter's in Kremmling with the missions of Grand Lake and Walden. During five years in Kremmling, St. Peter's was remodeled and the new St. Anne's Church in Grand Lake was completed in 1959. Later that year Fr. Haas was called back to Denver and named Pastor of St. Patrick's Church where he had previously served as assistant. Extensive remodeling of the church was accomplished and a second story was started on St. Patrick's school. After seven years as Pastor at St. Patrick's, Father was named Pastor at St. Catherine of Siena in Denver where he served eight years. In 1974, Father Ted was named Pastor of St. Paul's Parish in Colorado Springs following Monsignor Michael Harrington. After serving ten years at St. Paul's Father Ted was named Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral, in the new diocese of Colorado Springs in 1984 and completed the renovation (1986) of St. Mary's Church to serve as a Cathedral. In 1993 Fr. Haas was appointed Chaplain for Council 582 of the Knights of Columbus in Colorado Springs. He also served for a time as State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. Having served for six years as Rector of the newly-designated Cathedral, Father received permission from Bishop Hanifen to retire from active administration of the Cathedral, serving as Rector Emeritus. Father John Slattery was named Rector at that time with Fr. Haas continuing as an associate on the staff. Throughout his life, and into his retirement, Fr. Ted loved and served the people of Colorado. Since 2000 he has been a resident of Medalion East Apartments. Last June he celebrated his sixtieth anniversary of Ordination. He was a wonderful story teller; with vivid memories of growing up in Colorado Springs and serving God's people. He is survived by his sister, Marjorie Power, Denver; nephews: John (Janet), Aurora, Richard (Myra), Brighton and Robert (Denis), Denver; Nieces: Katherine, Concord, MA, Mary (John) Whittaker, Aurora, Joan, Aurora, Claudia (George) Jensen, Denver and numerous Grand nieces and nephews. Fr. Ted was a humble man, faithful servant of Christ and a dedicated Priest. A Vigil Service for Fr. Haas will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral on Friday, April 1st at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Cathedral.