[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                   GUEST CHAPLAIN, REV. PAUL W. LAVIN

  Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, last week, we had the distinct honor of 
sharing the floor with a credentialed and principled brother, guest 
Chaplain, Rev. Paul W. Lavin. I have been fortunate to have shared a 
friendship with Father Lavin that has enriched me in many ways. This 
friendship has developed, as Father Lavin has graciously opened his 
parish to me in the morning, so I can begin my day with prayer and 
worship. These times have been invaluable as I wrestle with the 
difficult and complex issues that we regularly face in the Senate.
  Father Lavin visited us with many accomplishments and distinctions. 
Father Lavin did his undergraduate work at King's College and then 
later attended seminary at Seminary of Our Lady of Angels. After 
receiving his master degree from seminary, he was ordained a year later 
by Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, 
DC. This marked the beginning of his official religious ministry. He 
accepted his first pastorate, at Mount Calvary Parish where he 
ministered for 5 years. During his tenure, he established the ECHO 
retreat program for high school seniors and young adults in the 
Archdiocese of Washington. This program remains the primary youth 
retreat in the Archdiocese.
  Father Lavin continued his commitment to young people in his next 
position as the director of Youth Retreats for the Catholic Youth 
Organization of the Archdiocese of Washington. Under his direction the 
Catholic Youth Organization created a retreat center in Silver Spring, 
MD which he administered until 1979. For the next 10 years, he served 
as the chaplain of American University. In his capacity, he established 
the Hannan Series, which brought those involved in significant public 
service together with American students to discuss how their faith has 
influenced their public lives. He then returned to the pastorate 
becoming the pastor of Mother Seton Parish which is a parish of 1,800 
Catholic families in suburban Montgomery county. His present position 
as the pastor of St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill, is what has caused our 
paths to meet.
  Father Lavin also is distinguished by many appointments which 
include: national chaplain of the Junior Catholic Daughters of America, 
member of board of directors of the Bishop McNamara High School, and 
president of Germantown HELP which is an ecumenical crisis helping 
organization.
  I have been blessed by my relationship with Father Lavin. While I 
have no plans to forsake my Baptist commitments, I have always felt 
welcome at St. Joseph's. So much so, that when my daughter was engaged 
to a Catholic, I suggested that she hold her wedding at St. Joseph's, a 
suggestion that she eagerly complied with. Later my granddaughter was 
baptized at St. Joseph's.
  It is encouraging when people can come together in fellowship made 
possible by their common bond in Christ. I have experienced this 
fellowship with Father Lavin, and I look forward to continued 
interaction with him in the future.


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