[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2290-E2291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MONSIGNOR JEROME BOXLEITNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                             of minneapolis

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend the work of 
an inspirational leader from my district, Msgr. Jerome Boxleitner. 
Msgr. Boxleitner, the executive director of Catholic Charities of the 
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, has recently announce his 
plans to retire after 35 years of social work and 21 years as the 
Catholic Charities founding leader.
  I've been pleased to work with Msgr. Boxleitner on key issues such as 
homeless shelters, hunger, and the social services which are so 
essential in meeting the needs of the vulnerable in out community. His 
professionalism and personal effort has made a wonderful and enormous 
difference.
  Msgr. Boxleitner worked tirelessly to build Catholic Charities, an 
institution which aids a variety of disadvantaged people, from the 
homeless to troubled children. It is now the largest private provider 
of human services in the Twin Cities, with 75 programs in 30 locations 
which are staffed by 600 employees and 12,000 volunteers.
  Msgr. Boxleitner rightly emphasizes the importance of taking the time 
to recognize each person served by Catholic Charities as an individual, 
rather than categorizing them as just one of many in need of help. 
Literally thousands of people have benefited from Msgr. Boxleitner 
compassion, selfless service and leadership.
  I have included, for my colleague's review, article which appeared in 
The Catholic Spirit, the weekly newsletter of the Archdiocese of Saint 
Paul and Minneapolis. This article outlines Msgr. Boxleitner's 
achievements and contributions to our community.
  Msgr. Boxleitner is a truly great example of those who make the Twin 
Cities a wonderful place to live. We are all richer for his friendship, 
example, and service that he has so generously given to our community. 
It is with heartfelt thanks and gratitude that I wish him the best of 
health and a well deserved retirement.

               [From the Catholic Spirit, Oct. 16, 1998]

        The Gospel, according to Msgr. Boxleitner, is with poor

       Msgr. J. Jerome Boxleitner said that working with the needy 
     was where he found satisfaction both as an occupation and in 
     his priesthood.
       ``It was fulfilling for me--I think that's where the Gospel 
     is, working with the poor,'' said Msgr. Boxleitner, who is 
     stepping down as executive director of Catholic Charities of 
     the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis after 35 years of 
     social work and 21 years as Catholic Charities' founding 
     leader.
       On Oct. 13, Archbishop Harry J. Flynn announced Msgr. 
     Boxleitner's retirement, effective Dec. 31.
       Father Larry Snyder, Catholic Charities associate director, 
     will succeed him on Jan. 1, 1999.
       A priest of the archdiocese for 42 years, Msgr. Boxleitner 
     was a parish priest for five years before pursuing graduate 
     studies in social work at Catholic University of America in 
     Washington.
       He earned a master's degree in 1963 and became director of 
     Catholic Welfare Services of Minneapolis. He led the 
     consolidation of four Catholic social service agencies, 
     creating Catholic Charities in 1977.
       Under his leadership Catholic Charities grew to an 
     organization of more than 600 employees and more than 12,000 
     volunteers.
       Today, Catholic Charities serves men, women and children in 
     the 12 counties of the archdiocese through more than 75 
     programs in 33 locations. During the past year, Catholic 
     Charities provided emergency services to 91,175 persons and 
     provided social services to 70,761 persons.
       ``It's a good agency, and it's got a good reputation.'' 
     Msgr. Boxleitner said when asked what he takes the greatest 
     pride in from his years with Catholic Charities.
       ``What I like most is that the staff, the board and the 
     volunteers see the poor as peers not as objects of pity.
       ``Sure, there is some of the thought that there but for the 
     grace of God go I, but the people of Catholic Charities have 
     great respect for the people that we serve,'' he said.
       In announcing that Msgr. Boxleitner would become director 
     emeritus of Catholic Charities, Archbishop Flynn said the 67-
     year-old priest would continue to be an advocate in the 
     community for several issues that he has championed 
     throughout his career.
       ``Msgr. Boxleitner opens our eyes and our hearts to the 
     poor,'' the archbishop said. ``He knows the importance of 
     helping people to self-sufficiency while never minimizing 
     their immediate needs.''
       In March, Gov. Arne Carlson presented Msgr. Boxleitner with 
     a certificate of commendation from the State of Minnesota for 
     outstanding service.
       ``Msgr. Boxleitner truly epitomizes all that is good in 
     life,'' Gov. Carlson said.
       ``He is the embodiment of what religion is: love, 
     compassion and selfless service to mankind. And he tops it 
     all off with a delightful sense of humor.''
       Earlier in his career Msgr. Boxleitner was Minnesota 
     Corrections Person of the Year as chaplain at the state 
     prison in Lino Lakes, a ministry he still continues.
       From 1983-85 he chaired the national Catholic Charities 
     USA. That group's current president, Jesuit Father Fred 
     Kammer, pointed to him as a national leader concerned with 
     the common good.
       ``Msgr. Boxleitner's prophetic voice calling us to 
     implement the social dimension of the Gospel has won the 
     respect of his peers,'' Father Kammer said. ``He built a 
     strong local

[[Page E2291]]

     agency. He also made great contributions on the national 
     level.''
       The priest, who will continue to lie where he has for years 
     at Catholic Charities' St. Joseph's Home for Children in 
     south Minneapolis, most recently has been instrumental in 
     developing a plan for residential academies to serve at-risk 
     youth.
       Archdiocesan Catholic Charities board chair Karen 
     Rauenhorst said, ``Msgr. Boxleitner has not only served the 
     poor of our community but has touched the lives of so many. I 
     have been deeply impacted by his commitment to living as 
     Christ did in service to the widows and orphans in our 
     midst.''

     

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