[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MONSIGNOR JOHN EDWARD MORRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
Msgr. John Edward Morris on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his 
ordination into the priesthood.
  Monsignor Morris was born on July 13, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York, the 
first child of John E. and Mary Cassion Morris. His parents moved to 
Lincoln Park, NJ several years later, where he, his three brothers and 
one sister grew up. He attended St. John's High School in Paterson and 
began studies for the priesthood at Seton Hall College, South Orange in 
1939. He completed those studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in 
Darlington, NJ and Catholic University in Washington, DC in 1947.
  Monsignor Morris was ordained into the priesthood for the Diocese of 
Paterson on May 31, 1947. He was ordained by Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh 
of the Archdiocese of Newark at the Sacred Heart Cathedral because 
Paterson's Bishop McLaughlin had died 2 months previously and a 
successor had not yet been chosen.
  Monsignor Morris was assigned as associate pastor to Holy Trinity 
Church (Heilige Dreifaltigkeits Kirche) in Passaic, NJ on June 10, 
1947, where he ministered to youth and elderly alike. He attended 
classes and became proficient in the German language so as to better 
serve the German-speaking immigrants from Europe. At the same time, he 
taught at Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic.
  Monsignor Morris continued until 1961, when Bishop McNulty called 
upon him to further his studies at the Catholic University in 
Washington, DC. There he attained a doctorate in educational 
administration. He returned to the Paterson Diocese in 1964 and became 
its third superintendent of schools, overseeing all the grammar and 
high schools of the diocese. He remained in this position until 1971. 
During these years he began an association with the Little Sisters of 
the Poor, residing at their Dey Street home in Paterson and serving as 
their chaplain to the sisters and residents.
  In 1971, Monsignor Morris returned to Holy Trinity Parish, where he 
has served as co-pastor and pastor ever since. He was honored by Pope 
John Paul II and given the title ``Monsignor'' in 1981. Monsignor 
Morris has nobly and generously served both the church and the 
community. His devoted service is indeed admirable.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Monsignor 
Morris' family and friends, the congregation of Holy Trinity Church and 
the city of Passaic in recognition of the momentous occasion of the 
50th anniversary of Msgr. John Edward Morris' ordination into the 
priesthood.

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