[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 117 (Monday, September 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING FATHER MICHAEL O'MARA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and salute a 
remarkable Hoosier, Father Michael O'Mara. Father O'Mara is a true 
leader in his community and the Hoosier state. I wish to express my 
heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for his leadership and service to 
his country, his community, and the State of Indiana.
  Father O'Mara grew up in Greensburg, Indiana and was ordained on June 
18, 1988 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Indianapolis. Father 
O'Mara has served dutifully to the church for many years and presided 
over many congregations over the years. He was appointed as pastor of 
St. Pius X in Indianapolis in 1990. From 1993 to 1999, he was appointed 
as pastor and/or co-pastor for the parishes of St. Philip, St. 
Bernadette, St. Patrick, and St. Mary all in Indianapolis as well as 
the St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington, Indiana. Since then, 
Father O'Mara has been reappointed as pastor to St. Mary in 2004 and 
2011. On July 3, 2013, he was appointed as pastor to the St. Gabriel 
Parish in Indianapolis.
  The commitment that Father O'Mara has made has not stopped at serving 
the church, but to the community as well. He has also been greatly 
involved with the Hispanic community in Indianapolis. He immersed 
himself in the Spanish language and took classes through Indiana 
University in order to become bilingual so that he could preach to all 
members of the congregation.
  He has committed his life to the church and has served the church for 
25 years now. That kind of commitment is not made lightly. Committing 
your life to the church is one of the greatest sacrifices a person can 
make and Father O'Mara had to have put in a lot of time, thought, and 
prayer before deciding to commit himself fully to the church.

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