[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FATHER LAWRENCE T. GAUTHIER 50TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2005

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding man of faith, Father Lawrence T. Gauthier. On June 4th, 
2005, Father Gauthier will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 
ordination as a priest. Father Gauthier's contribution to the Catholic 
Church and his faith has touched so many in Michigan's Upper Peninsula 
and beyond.
  Father Gauthier's has focused on education throughout his entire 
life. Born to Leo and Margaret Gauthier on February 26, 1929 in 
Marquette, Michigan, he attended grade school in the Catholic school of 
Marquette. In 1949, he studied at the Salvatorian Minor Seminary and 
St. Francis Major Seminary in Wisconsin, earning his Bachelor of Arts 
in Philosophy in 1951. He then went on to complete four years of 
theology at St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan.
  On June 4th, 1955 at St. Peter Cathedral, Bishop Thomas L. Noa, D.D. 
ordained Father Lawrence T. Gauthier as a priest of the Holy Catholic 
Church. Although he had obtained a major goal in his career, he 
continued to pursue his education. In 1960, Father Gauthier attended 
Catholic University where he earned his Masters Degree in school 
administration and counseling. From 1965-1973 he undertook post 
graduate studies in his hometown of Marquette at Northern Michigan 
University in Education Systems. He also studied at Mount Mary College 
in Cincinnati, Ohio and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. in the 
field of Religious Education.
  As a priest, Father Gauthier has dedicated his entire life and career 
to the church. He served as administrator of two missions in the 
diocese and also as pastor at Nativity Parish in Sault Ste. Marie, St. 
Michael's Parish in Marquette and St. Louis the King Parish in 
Marquette.
  During those years in the church, he continued his devotion to 
education by spending the greater part of his priestly ministry in the 
field of Catholic Education serving as principal of Loretto Central 
High School in Sault Ste. Marie, Holy Name High School in Escanaba and 
Bishop Baraga Central High School in Marquette. In 1968, he was 
appointed Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of 
Marquette and three years later was appointed Superintendent of 
Catholic Education focusing on not only Catholic schools but also for 
all religious education throughout the Diocese.
  Throughout his 50 years of ministry, Father Gauthier has held many 
positions in the church. He was the Director of Evangelization and 
served as Secretary, Treasurer and then as President of the Priests' 
Council. He was a member and President of the Priest Personnel Board 
and also a member of the Diocesan Reconciliation Board. He spent 
several terms on the St. Joseph's Association for Priest Retirement and 
was also a consultant to the Bishop.
  Although Father Gauthier is retired now, he continues to help 
parishes and serve his faith. He continues his 30th year as Director of 
the Propagation of the Faith, Director of the Holy Childhood 
Association, the Home Mission and in 2000 he was assigned as the 
Catholic Relief Services Director. Once again for the third year, 
Father Gauthier has been assigned to represent the senior priests of 
the dioceses on the Priests' council.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
thanking Father Lawrence T. Gauthier for his service to the Holy 
Catholic Church and his tireless dedication to the value of education 
and involvement in his faith community. Beyond the incredible 
credentials, leadership roles and accomplishments that span his 
lifetime, Father Gauthier has shown unwavering commitment to the people 
he has served. He has truly done God's work through his teachings and 
as a role model for parishioners.

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