[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING FATHER FRANK PERKOVICH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 7, 2004

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Father 
Frank Perkovich, for his fifty years of faithful service and tireless 
ministry.
  A native of my hometown, Chisholm, Minnesota, Father Perkovich 
recently announced his retirement as pastor of Saint Joseph's Catholic 
Church in Gilbert, Minnesota, and I know that all who know Father 
Perkovich will miss his original style of spreading ``The Good News.''
  Father Perk, as he is known, believed it did not matter how one 
worshiped as long as it raised one's mind and heart to God. Drawing on 
his strong Slovenian heritage and the culture of his community, Father 
Perk created a Mass set to the old ethnic melodies of polka music and 
celebrated the first Polka Mass in 1973. For the next 30 years, this 
unusual blend of folk music and holy worship has become internationally 
popular, and Father Perk's recording of the Polka Mass has become one 
of the top-selling polka albums of all time.
  In 1983, Father Perk traveled to Rome and celebrated the Polka Mass 
on the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for Pope John 
Paul II, who blessed the ``Polka Priest's'' endeavor. It was the 
experience of a lifetime for a humble pastor from a small town in 
Minnesota who only wanted to create a liturgical service that would 
bring people together and closer to God.
  On the occasion of his retirement, I want to join his many friends 
and parishioners to congratulate Father Perkovich for his many years of 
service to his Catholic faith community and Minnesota's Iron Range.

                          ____________________