[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING MONSIGNOR DONALD MCANDREWS AS HE CELEBRATES THE 50TH 
                     ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 4, 2004

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I call the attention of the House 
of Representatives to Monsignor Donald McAndrews, who celebrated the 
50th Anniversary of his ordination with a Mass at St. Aloysius Church 
in Wilkes-Barre followed by a banquet that was held on Sunday, where he 
was joined by hundreds of friends and parishioners.
  Monsignor McAndrews has served as a priest, social worker, teacher 
and community leader throughout the past 50 years. He received his 
bachelor of arts degree in honors philosophy in 1950 from the 
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. He pursued his 
theological studies at St. Peter's Seminary in London in 1954.
  Monsignor McAndrews was ordained into the priesthood on June 5, 1954 
in St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton by the late Auxiliary Bishop of 
Scranton the Most Reverend Henry T. Klonowski.
  Monsignor McAndrews then received his master's degree in social work 
at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. in 1960.
  I have known Monsignor McAndrews for many years, and I was 
particularly impressed with his dedication as a member of the Flood 
Recovery Task Force for the Wyoming Valley. I admired Monsignor's 
unrelenting commitment to helping the thousands of people affected by 
the horrible tragedy of the Agnes Flood. The Task Force provided 
programs of assistance in the form of cash grants, food, clothing, 
furniture and medicine.
  Monsignor's first assignment in the Diocese of Scranton was as 
assistant pastor of St. Ann's Church in Shohola. After four years 
there, he was assigned as assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Church in 
Milford. Monsignor served as assistant pastor of Immaculate Conception 
Church in West Pittston.
  Monsignor served as chaplain and lecturer in the Sociology Department 
of College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania, for 10 years. He was 
then appointed executive director of Catholic Social Services of 
Wyoming Valley, as well as executive director of Catholic Social 
Services of Hazleton.
  Monsignor McAndrews was pastor of St. Mark's Church in Inkerrman, 
Pennsylvania and subsequently became pastor of St. Aloysius Church in 
Wilkes-Barre, a position in which he has served since 1982.
  Monsignor McAndrews had many great accomplishments while he served 
the Diocese of Scranton, including the founding of the St. Vincent de 
Paul Kitchen, which serves meals to 400 people every day. He later 
established a medical clinic there in conjunction with the Rural Health 
Corporation.
  Monsignor McAndrews developed several social programs during his 50-
year career, including the Court Advocate Program for the treatment of 
drug and alcohol addiction and the Prison Counseling Program at the 
Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
  In 1983, Pope John Paul II named him Prelate of Honor.
  Monsignor McAndrews developed the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in 
our area. He also started Helping Experienced Adults Develop, a program 
that now serves nearly 5,000 senior citizens. In 1984, Monsignor 
McAndrews opened the Gabriel House in Pittston to provide safe and low-
cost housing for single women.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege to represent a man who has 
devoted his life to his faith. I ask you and my fellow Members of 
Congress to join me in congratulating Monsignor Donald McAndrews on the 
joyous 50th anniversary of his ordination in the Catholic Diocese of 
Scranton.

                          ____________________