[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF FATHER WILLIAM GULAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2003

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Father William Gulas, beloved Pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Slavic 
Village and beloved mentor, leader and friend of many.
  For nearly a decade, Father Gulas gently led his flock at St. 
Stanislaus Parish, offering spiritual and emotional guidance to every 
parishioner. Moreover, Father Gulas reached out, with caring and 
compassion, to residents of Slavic Village and neighborhoods beyond, 
providing a helping hand or kind counsel whenever needed. Father Gulas 
was ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1961. He was head of the 
Franciscan Order for the Assumption Province, which spans several 
states, including Ohio. His service to our Cleveland community began in 
1993, when he joined the parish of St. Stan's as pastor. Reflecting a 
strong desire to connect with parishioners, Father Gulas learned to 
speak Polish to be able to communicate with every parishioner.
  Father Gulas was an articulate and graceful liturgist. His sense of 
timing and wit, combined with his kindness and warmth, defined his 
ministry. Father Gulas leaves behind a rich legacy of a life dedicated 
to spiritual guidance, leadership, and helping others. For our 
Cleveland community, Father Gulas leaves behind a legacy of healing and 
uplifting our Slavic Village neighborhood, which radiates throughout 
his congregation, and resounds throughout our entire community. Father 
Gulas was instrumental in the renovation of the historic St. Stanislaus 
church. His dedication to restoring this magnificent, century-old 
structure equaled his dedication and success in restoring the heart and 
soul of this Cleveland neighborhood--one struggling family at a time, 
one lonely neighbor at a time, one troubled child at a time.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join us in tribute and remembrance 
of Father William Gulas, whose compassion, understanding and 
inspiration, through his words and his deeds, kept hope and faith alive 
in everyone he knew. His presence among us was a gift, and he will be 
deeply missed by the countless lives he touched, including ours. We 
extend our deepest condolences to the family of Father Gulas, to the 
parishioners of St. Stanislaus, and to the entire Slavic Village 
community. Throughout his tenure along Fleet Avenue, Father Gulas was 
deeply committed to helping those in need--young and old, black and 
white, believers and non-believers. Father Gulas was a living light for 
everyone in this community, and as deeply as he loved the people of 
Slavic Village, they in turn, loved him. Most significantly, the love 
and light that Father Gulas gave so freely to the people of St. 
Stanislaus and streets beyond, will be a guiding force within our 
community always, and will live within our hearts forever.

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