[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 82 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MONSIGNOR ROBERT TUCKER ON HIS 55TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2025

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to 
rise today to join family, friends, and parishioners in paying tribute 
to Monsignor Robert Tucker, as he celebrates his 55th pastoral 
anniversary with a special Mass at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in 
Bethlehem, Connecticut.
  Born in Torrington, Monsignor Tucker attended St. Francis School and 
Torrington High School before pursuing the priesthood at St. Thomas 
Seminary and St. Bonaventure University. Following his ordainment by 
Archbishop Whelan in 1970, he served parishes in Meriden, Simsbury, and 
New Britain where he served in various youth ministries as well as 
archdiocesan vocation director. However, it was at St. Anthony of Padua 
in Litchfield where he found his pastoral home and where he spent a 
majority of his pastoral career. In addition to his duties at St. 
Anthony of Padua, Monsignor Tucker became pastor of both St. Thomas of 
Villanova Church in Goshen and Our Lady of Grace Church in Bantam. In 
2017 his steadfast faith and deep commitment to his congregants led all 
three parishes through a restructuring, bringing them under the 
umbrella of St. Louis de Montfort Parish Corporation. Over his more 
than fifty years of ministry, he has earned the respect and admiration 
of his parishioners and the community which is why it was so fitting 
that in 2020, Pope Francis approved his nomination by Archbishop 
Blair's for the honorary title of monsignor.
  Over the course of his ministry, Monsignor Tucker did so much more 
than preside over Masses at the churches he led. He visited the sick at 
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital where he was chaplain, fortifying the 
spiritual centers of patients and their loved ones. He spent many 
summers working at Camp Workcoeman, one of the oldest continuously 
operated Scout camps in the country. And his weekly column in the 
Register Citizen, strengthened his deep connections to the community as 
well as parishioners and friends. Though he stepped down from his 
leadership role at St Louis de Montfort Parish in 2022, today, he 
continues his ministry by serving as chaplain for the cloistered order 
of nuns at the Abbey of Regina Laudis.
  As a religious leader, advocate, mentor and friend, Monsignor Tucker 
has touched the lives of thousands. Through all of his good work he has 
instilled hope and promise in all of those who have had the good 
fortune to work with him. His spiritual guidance has nourished the 
souls of many and his compassion has encouraged others to give more of 
themselves. He has embodied some of the many mottos he has lived by 
including ``Success is in the effort, not the outcome'' and ``Joy, pass 
it along.''
  Today, as he celebrates his 55th year as a priest, he continues to 
make a difference in the lives of others--his work a reflection of the 
heart of Catholic teachings. I am proud to extend my deepest thanks and 
appreciation as well as my heart-felt congratulations to Monsignor 
Robert Tucker as he celebrates this very special milestone. Happy 55th 
Anniversary and best wishes for many more years of success.

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