[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22913-22914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO REVEREND BRANDO IBARRA

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2009

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
to the work of an outstanding individual, Reverend Brando Ibarra, who 
was recognized on Friday, September 25, 2009 for his ten years of 
dedicated service to the people of his community.
  It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record 
of the greatest democracy ever known, for he has been a true public

[[Page 22914]]

servant and someone whose spiritual commitment has enhanced countless 
lives.
  Father Brando was born on November 14, 1970, in El Doncello, 
Colombia. He came to the United States and earned his Bachelor of 
Science degree from Seton Hall University. He went on to graduate with 
a Masters of Theology degree from the University of St. Mary of the 
Lake, Mundelien Seminary, in Illinois.
  He was ordained into the priesthood by Bishop Frank J. Rodimer on 
September 25, 1999 at St. John's Cathedral in Paterson, New Jersey. He 
served his Deacon Internship as a Parochial Vicar and Temporary 
Administrator at Saint Margaret Parish in Morristown, New Jersey for 
the next seven years. In 2006, he was called on to serve as Parochial 
Vicar of St. Gerard Majella Church in Paterson. In 2007, he was 
appointed Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church, where he remains. 
Father Brando became a citizen of the United States of America on 
January 14, 2009.
  His dedication to his ministry and to helping others reaches far 
beyond the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua. He is a member of the 
Paterson Diocesan Liturgical Commission, Spiritual Advisor of Hispanic 
Cursillos de Cristiandad, and a member of the Diocesan Vocation Board. 
He is a Chaplain for the Morris County Jail, and is a member of the 
Passaic Alliance Advisory Board Committee.
  Father Brando is committed to nurturing and supporting others in 
their work in ministry. He is a staff member and lecturer in theology 
for the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown. He serves as the 
President of the Association of Colombian Priests in the USA, and is a 
Board Member the National Association of Hispanic Priests.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the 
efforts of individuals like Reverend Brando Ibarra.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Father Brando's 
family and friends, all those who have been spiritually enriched by 
him, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of 
Reverend Brando Ibarra.