[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 64 (Thursday, May 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E942-E943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATIONS TO PASTOR EMERITUS RALPH G. HOFFMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Pastor Emeritus Ralph G. Hoffmann on his 60th-year 
ordination anniversary as a priest in the Gary Diocese. On Sunday, May 
18, 1997, the parish of St. Mary of the Lake in Miller, IN, will honor 
Monsignor Hoffmann at a Tribute and Toast, which will feature a potluck 
dinner and several guest speakers.
  Monsignor Hoffmann was born in 1911, in Hartford City, IN. He 
attended school at St. John the Evangelist, in Hartford City, IN, and 
St. Joseph's College. With the support of his family, Monsignor 
Hoffmann joined the seminary and studied at St. Gregory and St. Mary of 
the West, both in Cincinnati, OH. Shortly after his ordination on May 
22, 1937, a day he describes as the highlight of his career, Monsignor 
Hoffmann accepted his first assignments at Holy Trinity Hungarian 
Catholic Church, in East Chicago, IN; and St. Mary's Church, in 
Michigan City, IN.
  In 1943, Monsignor Hoffmann began the portion of his career for which 
he is best remembered when he served in the European theater of 
operations as an Army chaplain during World War II. Assigned to the 83d 
Infantry Division under the command of Maj. Gen. Robert Macon, 
Monsignor Hoffmann offered spiritual guidance and moral support to 
soldiers who took part in the Battles of Normandy, the Hurtgen Forest, 
Greater France, and the Battle of the Bulge. Before leaving Europe in 
1946, he met Gen. George Patton and Gen. Omar Bradley. In addition, he 
was granted a private audience with Pope Pius XII, where he was asked 
to discuss the state of Austria. Monsignor Hoffmann was separated from 
the service in May 1947 with the rank of major.
  Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Monsignor Hoffmann served 
several parishes, including St. Dominic, in Bremen, IN; St. Patrick, in 
Chesterton, IN; and St. Mary of the Lake, in Miller, IN; where he 
remained for 20 years. Monsignor Hoffmann was also appointed to a 
variety of organizations within the Catholic Church during his career. 
In 1958, he became the first director of the Priests' Eucharistic 
League. In addition, he served as the area moderator of the Council of 
Catholic Men in 1965, diocesan coordinator of the 41st Eucharistic 
Congress in 1975, and was appointed Episcopal vicar of the Gary 
Vicariate in 1976. Eight years later, Monsignor Hoffmann was appointed 
Episcopal vicar and dean of the St. Matthew Deanery.
  In addition to being very active within the church, Monsignor 
Hoffmann devoted much of his time to public service as well. In 1975, 
then-Governor Otis Bowen appointed Monsignor Hoffmann to the Indiana 
Task Force on Migrant Affairs. This task force was comprised of 
representatives from private and public service agencies, migrant 
communities, employers of migrants, and concerns members of

[[Page E943]]

the public. Since his retirement from the priesthood in 1986, Monsignor 
Hoffmann has remained active within the community, through his 
membership with the Knights of Columbus and Sierra Club, as well as his 
continued involvement with his former parish, St. Mary of the Lake.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Monsignor Hoffmann on the 60th-year anniversary of 
his ordination. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend 
him on his service and dedication to our country and the citizens of 
Indiana's First Congressional District