[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 86 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  HONORING FATHER CARL VOGEL OF TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the 50 years of 
ministry that Father Carl Vogel has given to the Catholic community in 
Texas. Since 1984, he has been with the St. Michael Parish in McKinney, 
which is part of the Fourth Congressional District of Texas. Father 
Vogel celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination with a Mass on May 
28 at St. Michael, followed by a reception attended by his devoted 
parishioners and many friends.
  A list of credentials and milestones of Father Vogel's career would 
not begin to describe the many ways in which this man has served his 
parish--embracing not only the trials and troubles of his parishioners, 
but their joys as well. He is the ever-constant protector and confidant 
that people seek out in their pastor. He is faithful to the teachings 
of the church and faithful to his parish, and his service has been 
imbued with a characteristic sense of humor that has endeared him to 
all those who know him.
  In addition to the May 28 celebration at St. Michael, other 
celebrations were planned at the Holy Family Mission in Van Alstyne, 
Texas, where Father Vogel is also pastor, and at Christ the King Church 
in Dallas, where he celebrated his solemn Mass in 1950.
  Father Vogel grew up in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas and attended 
Blessed Sacrament Church and Our Lady of Good Counsel School. After his 
graduation from St. Joseph High School, he enrolled in college to study 
journalism. The calling to the priesthood prevailed, however, and he 
followed that call at St. John's Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas. 
Father Vogel served as a military chaplain for nearly three decades and 
was a chaplain for the Armed Forces during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 
the early 1960s. Prior to his assignment at St. Michael, Father Vogel 
served at Our Lady of Victory in Paris, Good Shepherd in Garland, St. 
Patrick in Denison, St. Cecilia in Dallas and St. Patrick and St. Rita 
parishes in Fort Worth.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay tribute to this beloved 
priest from the Fourth District of Texas. Father Carl Vogel has devoted 
his life to the ministry. He has helped countless souls in his care and 
is loved and respected by so many who have known him and whose lives he 
has blessed. I know and love Father Vogel. I have changed schedules 
many times just to get to appear with him at public ceremonies. His 
prayers sustain me and all those who hear him. His devotion to his 
calling for 50 years warrants our recognition and appreciation today, 
so as we adjourn, let us do so in honor of Father Carl Vogel.

                          ____________________