[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 122 (Wednesday, July 19, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H5990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MONSIGNOR JOHN McSWEENEY

  (Mr. PITTENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Monsignor John 
McSweeney, priest of Charlotte's St. Matthew Catholic Church, the 
largest Catholic parish in America, who retires this week after more 
than 40 years of ministry.
  He was actually the first priest ordained in what was then the new 
Charlotte Diocese back in 1974. Monsignor McSweeney is committed to the 
principle of servant leadership and of helping each member of his 
parish find their special God-given role in life and in the church.
  Despite his very public role, he often reminds folks that Jesus is 
the star of St. Matthew, not the priest. Monsignor McSweeney has 
another motto: ``You never say no to Jesus.''
  And so, still listening to Jesus at age 75, Monsignor McSweeney is 
retiring from America's largest Catholic parish to move on to Haiti or 
Jamaica to live among the poor and minister to their needs.
  May God bless Monsignor McSweeney in this next phase of ministry.

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