[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO REVEREND BENEDICT J. BENAKOVIC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Reverend Benedict J. Benakovic on the 50th Anniversary of 
ordination into the priesthood. On Sunday, October 17, 1999, the 
parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker Croatian Catholic Church in Gary, 
Indiana, will honor its jubilarian priest. Father Benedict's 50th 
Anniversary festivities will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a Mass of 
Thanksgiving at the church, followed by a reception in the church hall.
  Father Benedict was born on January 18, 1923 in Slavonski Brod, 
Croatia. He entered the minor seminary of the St. Jerome Province of 
the Croatian Conventual Franciscans on September 6, 1935, and 
pronounced his solemn vows on December 26, 1945. He completed studies 
in philosophy and theology at the Archdiocesan Seminary in Zagreb, 
Croatia, and was ordained a priest on June 29, 1949 in the cathedral in 
Zagreb. Father Benedict offered his first Mass on Sunday, July 3, 1949 
in Zupanja, his family's hometown.
  After one year of military service, Father Benedict was appointed 
assistant pastor at St. Anthony Church in Zagreb. In 1962, he was sent 
to the United States to minister to the faithful in a Croatian parish. 
On February 13 of the same year, he came to Gary, Indiana, where he has 
lived ever since. The very Reverend Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop of Gary, 
appointed Father Benedict assistant pastor of St. Joseph the Worker 
Croatian Church in Gary, Indiana. In 1972, Father Benedict was 
appointed Pastor, and has remained in that position for the past 27 
years.
  Father Benedict has never believed that his work as a priest was 
limited to Sunday mornings. Even though he is extremely dedicated to 
the people of his parish, Father Benedict has never restricted his 
humanitarian activities to only his parishioners. Instead, he aids as 
many people as he can, no matter what the circumstances are. In fact, 
in October of 1994, Father Benedict was awarded the Columbian Award by 
the St. Thomas Council, a Catholic fraternal organization based in 
Hobart, Indiana for his outstanding service and commitment to the 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in congratulating Reverend Benedict on his 50th Anniversary of 
ordination into the priesthood. I would also like to take this 
opportunity to commend him for his service and dedication to our 
country, and especially the citizens of Indiana's First Congressional 
District.

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