[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF MONSIGNOR JOHN BENDIK, RECIPIENT OF THE ACHIEVEMENT 
     AWARD FROM THE GREATER PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS OF SAINT PATRICK

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 2015

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Monsignor John 
Bendik, who will receive the Achievement Award from the Greater 
Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
  Monsignor Bendik was ordained on May 27, 1967, by Bishop J. Carroll 
McCormick, after studying at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of 
Theology in Indiana. His first assignment was to St. Matthew's Parish 
in East Stroudsburg. He taught at Notre Dame High School and served as 
Director of Campus Ministry at East Stroudsburg University. In 1970, he 
was assigned full-time to serve the University students where he 
developed an ecumenical and inter-faith United Campus Ministry.
  In 1981, Monsignor Bendik was assigned as Chaplain at Misericordia 
University in Dallas where he organized student, faculty, and staff 
programs to outreach to the needy. His first assignment as a pastor was 
in 1986 at the parish of Our Lady of the Snows in Clarks Summit. Today, 
Monsignor Bendik is the pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Pittston.
  In addition to serving as the current pastor for St. John's, 
Monsignor Bendik is also on a variety of boards within the community. 
He is the Dean for the priests and deacons of Northern Luzerne County. 
Monsignor Bendik and his parishioners also operate Care and Concern 
Ministries. Care and Concern provides the Greater Pittston Area with a 
free health clinic and a food pantry.
  It is an honor to recognize Monsignor Bendik for his many 
accomplishments. I commend him for his service to our local communities 
throughout his career. I offer my deepest congratulation on receiving 
the Achievement Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. 
Patrick.

                          ____________________