[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 91 (Thursday, June 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF REVEREND THOMAS O'DONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Reverend Thomas 
O'Donnell, who has devoted his life to the enrichment of his community.
  Reverend O'Donnell was born in Cleveland, Ohio at St. John's Hospital 
and is one of three children. His brother, Neil is now deceased and his 
sister Ellen Jane is a nun in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Reverend O'Donnell 
spent much of his youth interested in music and eventually received a 
Bachelor's Degree in Music from Oberlin College before entering the 
seminary. Ordained on May 20, 1967, Reverend O'Donnell first served at 
St. Clare Church in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Two years later he began teaching 
Sacred Music at St. Mary Seminary. While he was teaching, in 1972, 
Reverend O'Donnell began attending Case Western Reserve University to 
further his studies in Sacred Music.
  After fourteen years at the seminary, during which time he also 
became Diocesan Director of Music and Assistant Director of the 
Diocesan Office for Pastoral Liturgy, he decided to return to parish 
ministry. Reverend O'Donnell then began to serve as a hospital 
chaplain, first at Brentwood and Suburban Hospitals and later as the 
Catholic Chaplain at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. He 
underwent a two year training course at the Cleveland Clinic prior to 
his work as a chaplain.
  Reverend O'Donnell has been with Holy Name for fourteen years and has 
worked tirelessly for the betterment of his parish and the entire 
community. Reverend O'Donnell brought together a parish life steering 
committee and was integral in opening the John Paul II--Ozanam Hunger 
Center, along with churches in Slavic Village and several other 
suburban parishes. Furthermore, his parish now provides the area with 
five Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week, a Parish Wellness Center, a 
hot meal program which serves the community twice a month, and 
countless other civic organizations and projects.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Reverend 
Thomas O'Donnell, a hardworking, heartfelt individual who has devoted 
his life so tirelessly to God and his community.

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