[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H563-H564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WELCOME TO FATHER JOE SICA OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS PARISH IN CLARKS 
                          SUMMIT, PENNSYLVANIA

  (Mr. SHERWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to welcome as our guest 
chaplain Father Joe Sica of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Clarks 
Summit, Pennsylvania.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Father Joe for 
this wonderful invocation. I have known Father Joe for a long time. He 
is a good man, a great friend, and a wonderful priest.
  Father Joe Sica grew up in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and began his 
service to the church at a very young age. As a child, he donated much 
of his time to St. Rocco's Church, and it was there he began to realize 
his dream of becoming a priest.
  After high school he entered the University of Pennsylvania and Saint 
Pius X Seminary, where he earned his degree in philosophy and theology. 
He then took his scholarly talents and spiritual determination and 
continued his education at the Catholic University of America and the 
Theological College.
  There he wrote his book, ``God So Loved the World,'' which is one of 
the foremost works in Carl Rhaner's ``Theology of Revelation.'' He also 
published many articles in several journals, and Father Joe's monthly 
column, ``Miracle Growth: A Seed of Inspiration,'' that runs in 
Catholic newspapers across the country.
  In every assignment at every parish, Father Joe Sica has been 
involved with the work of his community. He has organized retreats for 
parishioners, helped parents and teachers associations; and while he 
was in my hometown, he was a member of the Rotary International, and a 
fine volunteer firefighter at the Triton Hose Company.
  However, one of his most impressive accomplishments that I have had 
the pleasure of witnessing was Father Joe's creation of the Helping 
Other People Program in Tunkhannock. This program coordinated the 
efforts of several local churches and their parishioners to provide 
transportation, meals, home repairs, house cleaning, and many other 
services to those in need.
  Father Joe was given the Sam Walton Award, and the Tunkhannock 
Chamber of Commerce gave him a certificate of excellence for his 
effort.
  In October of 2000, the Columbus Day Association of Lackawanna County 
named Father Joe their Man of the Year. They commended him for taking 
risks, for being able to dream, and to work and make those dreams come 
true.
  I can say without hesitation that Father Joe Sica is not just the Man 
of the Year, but a man of the people whose good deeds and inspiration 
never cease.
  Mr. Speaker, I again would like to thank Father Joe Sica for being 
here today. His presence and his blessing on

[[Page H564]]

this House mean so much to me and the people I represent.

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