[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATING MONSIGNOR GEORGE FARLAND

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor of the House this morning 
to pay tribute to a close friend of mine, Monsignor George Farland, who 
is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Catholic 
priest.
  On May 4, 1968, Monsignor Farland received his ministerial orders at 
Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in my hometown of Springfield, 
Massachusetts. I know because I was the CYO basketball coach at Sacred 
Heart upon his arrival.
  For the next half century, he has been a source of inspiration and 
comfort to his faithful parishioners at Sacred Heart Church in 
Springfield. Every Sunday, he provides a strong spiritual message, 
frequently laced with a special grace and a sense of irony and good 
humor, but always a powerful message. We have watched and witnessed as 
he has rebuilt and sustained a vibrant parish in the life of its 
members.
  Sacred Heart Church was built by immigrants, and to this day, it 
welcomes immigrants, as he frequently says in the opening phrases of 
his powerful homilies: ``No matter what your status or station in life, 
you are welcome in this church.''
  He has found time to serve as a police chaplain for the Springfield 
Police Department and also a hospital chaplain in the Sisters of 
Providence Health System in Mercy Medical Center. He has surely 
reinvigorated the life of the church, and is a son of Hungry Hill, a 
graduate of Cathedral High School and Saint Anselm College.
  His spiritual leadership in western Massachusetts has become, in 
fact, legendary. He has a well-deserved reputation for compassion, 
humility, and kindness. Again, the welcoming message of his inclusivity 
continues to deeply resonate with those who worship at Sacred Heart 
Church.
  He leads his parishioners up and down that middle aisle, oftentimes 
in joy and happiness or in grief of the funeral, but he always does it 
with a special tolerance and grace.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States, I want to congratulate 
Monsignor George Farland for reaching this important milestone in his 
life, thank him for his decades of thoughtful ministry, and acknowledge 
the remarkable contributions he has made to the people of all walks of 
faith in the Diocese of Springfield in western Massachusetts.

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