[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1338]]
                   HONORING REVEREND JOHN F. EDWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
lifelong dedication of Reverend John F. Edwards, who will retire this 
month after 50 years of active ministry.
  As the Pastor of The Church of the Incarnation, in Wethersfield, 
Connecticut in my district, Father Edwards was an inspiration and 
source of strength for those he met during his service to the 
priesthood. Father Edwards experienced a religious calling and entered 
the St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut, where he remained 
from 1947-1949. On January 6, 1955, Reverend Edwards was ordained as a 
priest at St. Brendan's Church in New Haven, Connecticut by The Most 
Reverend Henry J. O'Brien. Shortly thereafter, Father Edwards received 
temporary assignments in Washington Depot, Connecticut and as Chaplin 
at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. In April--August 1955, he received 
a permanent assignment as a Chaplin at St. Francis Hospital in 
Hartford, Connecticut.
  In August of 1955, Father Edwards returned to St. Thomas Seminary, 
where his vocation developed and strengthened, and served as a teacher 
and administrator from 1955-1981. During his 26 year tenure, Father 
Edwards taught history and mathematics and became Principal of the high 
school at St. Thomas Seminary. In his final 6 years at St. Thomas 
Seminary, Father Edwards served as Director of The Permanent Diaconate 
Program of the Archdiocese of Hartford, which was a program that proved 
to be instrumental in fulfilling the needs of the Archdiocese. He also 
served as a weekend assistant at St. Helena Church in West Hartford, 
Connecticut from 1967-1980. Father Edwards was an inspiration in the 
classroom and in his community.
  Father Edwards arrived at St. Joseph Church in Meriden, Connecticut 
in 1981, where he continued his service for 11 years as part of a Team 
Ministry with Father Mark Jette. In 1992, Father Edwards was appointed 
Pastor of The Church of the Incarnation where he continued to be a 
dedicated pastor, devoted spiritual leader, and friend. For the past 4 
years, he has been the Dean of the Suburban Hartford Deanery where he 
fostered fellowship within the Greater Hartford Area.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in thanking and 
honoring Reverend John F. Edwards for his 5 decades of service to the 
people of Connecticut. The parishioners of the Church of the 
Incarnation will miss his dedication and quiet thoughtfulness. Please 
join me in congratulating Father Edwards on his retirement and wishing 
him many enjoyable rounds of golf.

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