[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E908-E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF REVEREND PAUL R. VASSAR ON THE OCCASION OF THE 
          40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION OF THE PRIESTHOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 
40th Anniversary of Reverend Paul R. Vassar's ordination to the 
priesthood. For four decades, Father Vassar has served the people of 
his parishes with good words and good works, and on June 11, 2011, St. 
Leander Parish is celebrating this wonderful milestone in their 
Pastor's life.
  A native of Oakland, Father Vassar graduated from Bishop O'Dowd High 
School, studied philosophy at St. John's College in Camarillo, and 
graduated from St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California. He was 
ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Floyd Begin in 1971.
  Since that time, Father Vassar has served as an Associate Pastor at 
the Oakland parish of St. Leo, and as Pastor of St. Benedict's in 1977. 
After studying at Howard University, he was appointed Pastor of St. 
Columba Parish in Oakland, where he ministered for 13 years. After a 
decade as Diocesan Vicar General, Father Vassar became Pastor of St. 
Leander Parish in 2004.
  At St. Leander, Father Vassar's energy and enthusiasm constantly 
shine through. He visits students in their classrooms regularly at the 
Parish school, delighting in their growth and activity. Dedicated to 
learning and listening, Father Vassar learned Spanish to better 
communicate with his diverse parish. Under his guidance and exceptional 
leadership, one of the oldest parishes of the Diocese of Oakland has 
flourished.
  Father Vassar has served on the Board of Directors of Catholic 
Charities of the East Bay, and he and several of his priest friends 
formed a support group to share the challenges and joys of their 
callings.
  It is a special personal privilege for me to honor Father Paul on the 
40th Anniversary of his ordination. We have been friends since his days 
at St. Patrick's Seminary and he has been part of my family since then, 
from the births of my children, to officiating at the wedding of my 
daughter, to celebrating the Funeral Masses for my parents when each 
entered into eternity. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Father Vassar's four decades of faithful service to the Bay 
Area Catholic community. When he joined St. Leander, he commented on 
how excited he was to return to parish work. ``I get to walk with 
people where God is working with them,'' he said. For 40 phenomenal 
years, Father Vassar has done just that. I'm proud to know him, to be 
his friend, and to pay tribute to this good, holy and happy man who has 
strengthened our community, deepened our faith, and made our country a 
better place.

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