[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 29, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     WELCOMING REVEREND TONY RIGOLI BACK TO ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH

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                        HON. TIMOTHY M. KENNEDY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2025

  Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome back 
Reverend Tony Rigoli to celebrate a special mass at St. Rose of Lima 
Church in Buffalo, New York. Our community is thankful for the guidance 
and comfort Father Rigoli provides to parishioners across Western New 
York, and we are humbled and honored that he has returned to continue 
spreading the word of God.
  Father Rigoli was born in Buffalo and grew up on the West Side, where 
he graduated from Grover Cleveland High School. He was ordained as a 
priest in 1972 in the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He served 
as pastor of Holy Angels Church on Porter Avenue, as well as the 
Chaplain of D'Youville College, throughout the 1990's, in the heart of 
the neighborhood he knew so well. He then continued his ministry at St. 
Rose of Lima parish in North Buffalo, where he was associate pastor 
until his departure from Buffalo in 2002.
  Father Rigoli has been the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 
which is also the International Shrine of St. Jude, in New Orleans, 
Louisiana, since 2002. During his tenure in New Orleans, Father Rigoli 
helped parishioners through extremely trying times in the wake of 
Hurricanes Katrina and Ida. COVID-19, as well as the New Year's Day 
terror attack. He has served as a guiding light for many in need of 
counsel, faith, and support, and the people of New Orleans are blessed 
to have him.
  Today, we honor the lasting impact Reverend Tony Rigoli has made on 
Western New York, touching countless lives and guiding those on the 
path of Jesus Christ. The people of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church have a 
steadfast leader who cares deeply about his parishioners and the people 
of New Orleans. I am thankful that Reverend Rigoli has returned to St. 
Rose of Lima Church in Buffalo to spread his everlasting light upon us 
all. May we all thank him for his tireless acts of service to the 
communities he loves.

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