[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING FATHER JOHN TERRY ON 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE CATHOLIC 
                              YOUTH CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2004

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I call the attention of the House 
of Representatives to the Very Reverend John Terry, who will celebrate 
his 25th year as director of the Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania, tonight.
  Father Terry is a Scranton native who attended St. Michael's 
elementary school in Jessup. He went on to Scranton Preparatory High 
School, where he was influenced by the Jesuit priests who taught him. 
It was at a school retreat in Easton, Pennsylvania, that he first 
expressed his interest in the priesthood. He credits Father Burner, SJ, 
Father John Dugan, SJ and Scholastic Jesuit Robert Waldman for helping 
him explore the priesthood as a vocation.
  Father Terry studied different religious communities and their 
missions, but realized he felt the call to do parish work in the 
Scranton Diocese. Upon his high school graduation in 1967, Father Terry 
applied to the Diocese of Scranton. He met with Monsignor Thomas Horan, 
director of the Saint Pius X Seminary.
  Father Terry was accepted as a pre-seminarian and began studies at 
the University of Scranton. After two years at the University, Father 
Terry continued on at Saint Pius X. Father Terry recalls that when he 
was assigned to his room, he knelt and prayed, saying ``Oh God, if this 
is your will, help me.''
  Monsignor Andrew McGowan was in charge at the Seminary, assisted by 
Father Banish, Father Kelly, Father Bergamo, Father Louis and Father 
Walsh.
  In the Spring of 1971, Father Terry was sent to Our Lady of Angels 
Theological Seminary in Albany, New York. Halfway during his second 
semester, the Seminary closed because of budgetary shortfalls. Father 
Terry then went on to St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York.
  In May 1974, Father Terry was ordained as a deacon and assigned to a 
small community in Ellicottville, New York--an assignment that helped 
him understand what parish life really meant. Father Terry was then 
assigned to the Diocese of Buffalo Seminary in East Aurora, New York. 
In that year, Father Terry spent a good deal of time in the Diocese of 
Scranton.
  Bishop J. Carroll McCormack of Scranton assigned Father Terry as a 
deacon to St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception in Wilkes-
Barre. He served with Monsignor Joseph Madden as pastor and mentor.
  Father Terry was ordained on May 2, 1975 by Bishop McCormack in the 
Diocese of Scranton. He was assigned to St. Mary's in Wilkes-Barre. 
During this time, Father Terry's mother was diagnosed with cancer. She 
died a few months after her son was ordained, and the parishioners at 
St. Mary's helped Father Terry during this tragic time. Father Terry 
also began working with children, which was a great boost for his 
morale.
  In 1979, Monsignor John Dougherty, Chancellor of the Diocese, asked 
Father Terry to become director of the Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes-
Barre and to serve as an assistant at St. Patrick's Parish in Wilkes-
Barre. Working with young people and youth programs was a dream come 
true for Father Terry.
  Father Terry also worked with GAR High School's football program, and 
was named ``Our Angel in the Backfield'' by the students he coached. 
After three years at St. Patrick's, he went to Holy Savior/St. 
Christopher Churches.
  Father Terry enjoyed devoting his time and energy to working with 
troubled youth and helping to solve their problems. The assignment at 
the CYC also afforded Father Terry the opportunity to work with Tony 
English, Jr., executive director of the CYC. The success of the CYC is 
a result of the wonderful working relationship between the two.
  In December 1990, Father Terry was assigned on a temporary basis to 
Sugar Notch to minister to the Churches of Saints Peter and Paul and 
St. Charles Boromeo until Father Tom Hudak returned from the Persian 
Gulf. In 1992, Father Terry was named Pastor of all the churches in 
Sugar Notch, including Holy Family.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to represent a man who has devoted 
his life to making the lives of others, especially young people, 
better. Please join me in congratulating Father Terry today on 25 years 
of service.

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