[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 50TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY OF FATHER TERRENCE KERNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father 
Terrence ``Terry'' David Kerner on the occasion of the 50th anniversary 
of his ordination. His significant contributions to our community are 
worthy of commendation.
  Father Kerner was born on October 3, 1945 to La Verne and Imelda 
Kerner in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The middle child of the Kerner family, 
he has two siblings, older brother Torn and younger sister Diane. He 
knew from a young age that the church was his calling, and his family 
proudly supported his wishes. Father Kerner studied at Sacred Heart 
Seminary in Detroit, St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth 
Township, and at the University of Detroit. He was granted the John 
Farrell Award which allowed him to study Theology in Rome. He was 
ordained on February 4, 1972, at his home parish, St. John the Baptist 
Catholic Church in Ypsilanti. Since then, he has served at various 
churches in Michigan.
  Father Kerner began his career in faith as associate pastor of 
Presentation in Detroit and then St. Raymond's in Detroit, and later 
St. Lawrence's in Utica. He became pastor of St. Christopher's in 1982 
and moved to Monroe, Michigan to became pastor of St. John the Baptist 
Parish in 1986. In Monroe, he served as vicar of the Monroe Vicariate 
and as administrator of St. Michael's. In 2003, he became pastor at Our 
Lady of Victory in Northville. Father Kerner has been pastor of St. 
Martha and St. Joseph in Dearborn--now St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic 
Church, since 2006. Father Kerner is a trusted leader in our state and 
has used his ministry to uplift and support others, no matter where his 
vocation has taken him. From providing the invocation in the Michigan 
House of Representatives to being an ever-present member of our 
community, all who know him know his kindness and generosity. He 
resides in Dearborn and is a proud uncle to three nephews, one niece, 
one great nephew and one great niece.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Father 
Terrence Kerner on this special day. He is a man of true faith who 
knows the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself. We are 
grateful for his work in Dearborn and throughout Southeastern Michigan 
and join with his friends, family, and congregation at St. Kateri 
Tekakwitha Catholic Church in wishing him nothing but the best in the 
coming years.

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