[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 110 (Friday, July 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MONSIGNOR JOHN CISEWSKI PASTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 1, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Monsignor John Cisewski, from the Archdiocese of New Orleans after 51 
years of leading God's people as a priest of Jesus Christ.
  Monsignor Cisewski was born in the Upper Peninsula of Iron Wood, 
Michigan to late Walter and Sophia Jean Cisewski. He will be joining 
the ranks of retirement along-side all his living siblings, Wally, Jim 
``Choo'', Kay and Judy, all who have been retired in various fields for 
many years.
  Monsignor Cisewski pronounced first vows and was ordained to the 
priesthood on October 16, 1971, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic 
Church located in the Ninth Ward, Desire area in New Orleans. He 
studied at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans after completing graduate 
work with degrees in Master of Arts Theology and Master of Divinity. He 
then became the Associate Pastor of St. Philip the Apostle, followed by 
St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Pontchartrain Park.
  Forty-two years ago, Monsignor Cisewski rose to the ranks of pastor 
on March 17, 1980, at St. Monica Catholic Church. He later continued 
his ministry as pastor serving many parishes including St. Matthias 
Catholic Church; Our Lady of Lourdes (serving as dual pastor of two 
churches); St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, subsequently serving a 
pastor of the merged St. Raymond St. Leo the Great Catholic Church 
because of Hurricane Katrina; and his final assignment at St. Katharine 
Drexel Catholic Church in 2008, also created in the aftermath of 
Hurricane Katrina, merging Holy Ghost Catholic Church and St. Francis 
DeSales Catholic Church.
  Recognizing the great impact Monsignor Cisewski has on the many 
parishioners throughout Orleans Parish, he was selected to serve on 
Priests Council for three terms, the Priests Personnel Committee for 
seven years, over twenty years appointed by then tenured Archbishops as 
Dean in the Inner-City Deanery, City Park/Gentilly Deanery and twice 
for the University Deanery.
  During the 1970's, Monsignor Cisewski taught Theology at St. 
Augustine High School and as Chaplain at Xavier University Preparatory 
High School, serving the youth in our community.
  Monsignor Cisewski went beyond his spiritual calling to leave his 
footprint on this city on community growth. He completed a graduate 
degree with a master's degree in urban studies at the University of New 
Orleans. He worked closely with the parishioners of St. Philip the 
Apostle Catholic Church to establish the Desire Social Center in the 
Desire Housing Development area. He later worked closely with the 
parishioners and residents in Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods 
creating the Pontilly Neighborhood Association, one of the most active 
neighborhood groups still in existence to this day.
  And if you thought his plate was full, his service furthered having 
served as an active member over fifty years of the Knights of Peter 
Claver; the Faith Friar to E.O. Moss Grand Assembly No. 4 and also to 
M.L. Lunnon Grand Chapter No. 4. His tenure includes serving on the 
National Committee facilitating the establishment of the Fourth Degree 
for the Gracious Ladies of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. 
(Auxiliary).
  A huge Congratulations and Best Wishes to Louisiana's adopted Son as 
he begins a much-deserved retirement effective the first day of July, 
in the year two thousand twenty-two.

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