[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR SYLVESTER HLADKY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the 
Right Reverend Monsignor Sylvester Hladky, a humble lifelong servant of 
the Catholic Byzantine Church, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul 
Byzantine Catholic Church, and permanent papal prelate.
  Born in 1909 in Brooklyn, NY, Sylvester Hladky knew very early that a 
life of service was for him. After serving his country for 3 years in 
the United States Navy, the Monsignor was ordained from Saint Joseph 
Seminary in Edmonton, AB, Canada in 1936. As a young priest, then-
Father Hladky spent his time working in Ukrainian mission churches at 
Fisher Branch, Poplar Fields, and the Indian reservation areas of 
Manitoba. Following these assignments, Father Hladky was then assigned 
to mission churches throughout Ontario, to include Welland, Grimsby, 
Saint Catharaines, Brantford, Kitchener, Thorold, and Niagara Falls. 
After serving in the Byzantine Ruthenian Eparchy of Pittsburgh, Father 
Hladky was made the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic 
Church in Struthers, OH.
  Father Hladky came to Warren, OH, in August 1945, where he was the 
pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church on School 
Street. The parish grew from 30 to 300 families. After leading a 
building fund campaign, the parishioners purchased property for the 
construction of a new church and rectory. On Christmas Day 1950, Father 
Hladky celebrated the first divine liturgy in the new church.
  The father dreamt of a parish school where students would receive an 
academic education, as well as a spiritual one in the Byzantine 
tradition, and, in 1954, purchased a home to be used as a convent by 
the Benedictine Sisters who arrived from Lisle, IL, to teach. 
Construction of a school began, and in 1957, Saints Peter and Paul 
School opened with 10 classrooms and an auditorium, later adding 16 
more classrooms for high school classes.
  In 1961, on the 25th anniversary of Father Hladky entering the 
priesthood, he was appointed dean of the Youngstown Deanery. By 1965, 
he was named a monsignor, and later, in 1975, he was made a right 
reverend monsignor. Pope John Paul II named him a permanent papal 
prelate.
  From 1968 to 1996, Monsignor Hladky also served as president of the 
Greek Catholic Union Tribunal. The monsignor and his parish were 
instrumental in helping the Benedictine Sisters of the Byzantine Rite 
to establish an independent monastery in Warren. In 1990, the parish 
erected a 46-apartment residence near the church for elderly 
parishioners.
  After a short illness, the monsignor passed away on March 7, 2006, at 
Saint Joseph Health Center in Warren, OH.
  In the book of Matthew, chapter 16, verse 18, the Lord said to his 
disciple, Simon, ``and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock 
I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not overcome it.'' 
Just as Simon was the rock upon which the Christian faith grew and 
flourished, so was Monsignor Hladky the ever-present and ever-faithful 
rock upon which our homes, communities, and families grew and also 
flourished. Mahoning Valley citizens of all faiths pray for Monsignor 
Hladky and his parish, because this faithful and dutiful servant of God 
was truly a blessing and we are grateful to have had him touch our 
valley so.

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