[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF FATHER PAUL WYNANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my respect and 
admiration for Father Paul Wynants. Father Wynants has been a true 
spiritual leader, providing guidance and comfort to thousands since 
first being ordained 64 years ago.
   Father Paul G. Wynants was born on August 2, 1925, in Heverlee, 
Belgium. He entered the Missionhurst Congregation of the Immaculate 
Heart of Mary in 1944 and was ordained on July 29, 1951. He departed 
for his mission assignments in the United States in 1953.
   Father Wynants served as assistant pastor at Christ the King Church 
in Norfolk from 1954-55; professor at Maryhill Seminary in Pinesville, 
LA., from 1955-58; assistant pastor at St. Dominic Parish in Columbus, 
Ohio, from 1958-59; and assistant pastor at St. Patrick Church in 
Detroit, Mich., from 1959-62. In 1964, Father Wynants was appointed 
spiritual director and rector for the Missionhurst Seminary in 
Washington, DC.
   In 1975, he was assigned as director of vocations for the U.S. 
Province. Residing at Missionhurst in Arlington, he also served as 
rector there until 1981. Under his guidance, Missionhurst evolved into 
the Missionhurst Mission Center, where he served as coordinator until 
1982.
   Father Wynants served as the Catholic chaplain at Fairfax Hospital 
from 1982-2005, and priest at St. Ambrose Church in Annandale, VA. 
During those years, Father Wynants was always available to provide for 
the spiritual needs of the ill and their families. Regardless of the 
time of day, or the treacherous weather, he would unfailingly travel to 
the hospital and provide comfort and support to those in grief.
   On September 12, 1991, Father Wynants proudly served as Chaplain for 
a day in the United States Senate. Senator Max Baucus sponsored him for 
this honor, and he was introduced by Senator Robert Byrd. Father 
Wynants never forgot this honor. Sometime later, a staff member in 
Senator Baucus' office became seriously ill and was recuperating at 
Fairfax Hospital when Father Wynants walked into her room announcing 
that the DCCC had sent him to check in on her. This brightened her day 
and she would talk about his act of kindness for long afterwards.
   In 1992, Father Wynants took up residence at Mount Tabor Community 
in Vienna, a house of prayer and a Christian community established in 
1975 by Missionhurst Father Arthur Verstraete. With the help of Father 
Wynants, Mount Tabor has continued to grow with an ever-increasing 
number of members, retreatants, and activities.
   Sadly, Father Wynants is gravely ill. Family members have travelled 
to the United States from Belgium to be with him during this time.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in a prayer for Father 
Wynants and his family, and in celebration of his life of dedication to 
his Church, his faith, his family, and our community.

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