[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 74 (Friday, May 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO FATHER HOWARD LINCOLN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this June, we will be honoring Father Howard 
Lincoln, on the occasion of his leaving the Saint Catherine of Siena 
Parish, and also on the 10th anniversary of his ordination for the 
Diocese of San Bernardino.
  Father Lincoln was ordained a Catholic priest in 1991 for the Diocese 
of San Bernardino. He served as Associate Pastor for Saint Catherine of 
Alexandria Church, Riverside; Priest Moderator for Our Lady of Fatima 
and Saint Bernardine's Churches, San Bernardino; and as Pastor of Saint 
Catherine of Siena Church, in Rialto for the past six years. He has 
been the Director of Communications and the Spokesman for Bishops 
Straling and Barnes for the past nine years and has served on numerous 
diocesan committees for the Diocese of San Bernardino.
  Father Lincoln is a friend, a mentor, a guide to my family, to his 
parish, and the community of Rialto. He is known throughout our area 
for his outstanding sermons and his work as a fine educator, counselor 
and community leader. I have been privileged to know Father Lincoln, 
and have found him to be a mentor, a scholar, and an inspiration.
  But Father Lincoln is also very down to earth, enjoying recreational 
pastimes. His golf game is so exceptionally good that he was appointed 
Official Golf Pro for the Vatican in 1997! A highlight for me was when 
we had a chance to play the Congressional Golf Course and Robert Trent 
Jones.
  In furthering the mission of his parish to build the community 
through worship, education and service, Father Lincoln has been a 
gifted spiritual leader, a man of vision, virtue, and wisdom. His 
sermons have inspired and uplifted, causing me to reflect on the words 
of the Scripture:

       Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to 
     present you faultless before the presence of his glory with 
     exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and 
     majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 
     24-25

  Many times, we seek guidance, so that we may know the right way in 
our personal lives, our careers, our public lives. This has been true 
for me as a husband, father, grandfather, and public official. Father 
Lincoln has always been there in times when I have sought spiritual 
guidance, so that I might know the power and the comfort of the Lord in 
making decisions that are fair, just, and right.
  I am very pleased to have known Father Lincoln over the years, and 
wish him every success in his new posting. I offer my best wishes, and 
ask for the blessing of God to mark this occasion.

                          ____________________