[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REVEREND PAUL MARTIN KWIATKOWSKI

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2017

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Reverend Paul 
Kwiatkowski, who passed away in early December.
  Rev. Kwiatkowski was known throughout Northwest Ohio for his 
intellect, humor, knowledge, and empathy. Ordained a priest at St. 
Peter Basilica in Rome in 1964, Father Kwiatkowski has dedicated his 
entire life to serving the people in parishes at Our Lady of Lourdes, 
Holy Spirit Seminary, St. James, Immaculate Conception, and St. Hedwig 
in Toledo, as well as St. Mary Parish in Bluffton and St. Joseph Parish 
in Maumee. St. Hedwig is notable as Father Kwiatkowski's great-
grandfather was one of the original bricklayers of the church in 1891. 
He was incredibly dedicated to the parishes and the communities he 
served, a truth highlighted in Rev. Kwiatkowski's presence as a 
violinist with the Perrysburg Symphony for 45 years.
  As many parents do, Rev. Kwiatkowski's parents, Ted and Evelyn, knew 
he was musically inclined from a young age. Few parents experience the 
joy of knowing their child is also inclined to serve others. When 
neighborhood children gathered to play, Rev. Kwiatkowski often 
pretended to be their priest. His dream was realized when he enrolled 
in seminary studies at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana and the 
Pontifical North American College in Rome.
  His devotion to people and his community led him to accept a teaching 
position at his alma mater, Central Catholic High School, after his 
retirement. Father Kwiatkowski's parishioners, students, family and 
friends, were buoyed by the joy and fellowship he brought into their 
lives each and every day. For many who knew him, the first words to 
describe the Reverend would be ``fun'' and ``compassionate.'' A man 
with a bright, infectious spirit, Father Kwiatkowski will be dearly 
missed. He was an institution unto himself in Northwest Ohio, and will 
long be remembered as such.
  In every parish community he served, Father Paul left a neighborhood 
and his church property in an improved condition. Buildings were 
restored, streets paved, festivals established, church celebrations 
enhanced. He was gifted and kind.
  As a fellow Polish-American, I will remember his participation every 
Memorial Day at the Veterans' Mass at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Toledo. He 
arranged for an organ to be brought on site, he played the violin as 
his vestments blew in the soft spring breeze, he distributed communion 
to the gathered worshippers who were dressed so royally for the solemn 
occasion. Fr. Paul made each occasion beautiful and worthy of the 
people he served. He was an extraordinary diocese priest who cared and 
shepherded his flock with great love.

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