[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOSEPH J. GRANATO--GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 2005

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I ask my 
colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to 
offer heartfelt congratulations to Monsignor Joseph J. Granato as he 
celebrates 50 years in the priesthood. Father Joe, as he is 
affectionately known was ordained on June 4, 1955, at St. Lucy's Parish 
in Newark, New Jersey.
  As a youngster in his First Ward neighborhood of Newark, Father Joe 
embraced the Catholic traditions that were intricately woven into the 
lives of his family and friends. His Catholic school education began at 
Sacred Heart Cathedral Grammar School and included Our Lady of Good 
Counsel High School and Seton Hall University. He attended Darlington 
Seminary where he studied diligently and paid close attention to his 
prayers of obligation. Although Father Joe yearned for his mom's 
cooking and the camaraderie of his old neighborhood while in the 
Seminary, he was appreciative of the jovial exchanges he shared with 
his fellow seminarians.
  Father Joe's religious assignment to St. Lucy's Parish has been a 
true blessing to him and his congregation. In addition to being close 
to his own home, Father Joe flourished under the guidance of Father 
Ruggiero until his death in 1966. Father Joe took responsibility for 
the CYO, Drum Corps, Children of Mary, Altar Boys, sick calls, First 
Friday calls and confessions. He was subsequently appointed 
Administrator in 1971 and in 1977; he was assigned by Archbishop Peter 
Gerety as the Pastor of his beloved St. Lucy's. On July 16, 1979, 
Father Joseph J. Granato was awarded the honor of being named Monsignor 
by His Holiness, John Paul II, which the humble Father Joe attributed 
to the virtue of the people of St. Lucy's rather than himself. Father 
Joe has worked hard to transform the neighborhood around St. Lucy's. 
His leadership along with the cooperation of the city, state and 
federal government has resulted in the removal of the old abandoned 
high-rise apartments which have been replaced with new beautiful 
townhouses.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Granato has served his 
church and the community well over the past 50 years. He has received 
several awards including the first Msgr. Joseph Granato Italian Culture 
Award from Seton Hall University and an induction into the Our Lady of 
Good Counsel Hall of Fame. St. Lucy's Parish is thriving under his 
guidance and leadership. I know my colleagues join me in wishing Father 
Joe a very happy 50th anniversary.

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