[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8759]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING FATHER JIM SICHKO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2016

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a very special individual, 
Father Jim Sichko. He has served as Pastor of St. Mark Roman Catholic 
Parish in Richmond, Kentucky for the past twelve years. He leaves 
Richmond soon to begin a one-year appointment from Pope Francis as a 
Missionary of Mercy.
  Father Sichko is the youngest of five children. He received an 
undergraduate degree in vocal performance from the New England 
Conservatory of Music and performed as an opera singer before deciding 
to enter the priesthood. He studied theology at Sacred Heart School of 
Theology and was ordained into the Ministerial Priesthood of Jesus 
Christ on May 23rd, 1998.
  As pastor of St. Mark's Parish, Father Sichko is well known for his 
storytelling. He travels throughout the United States and presents 
retreats, missions, and days of recollection. He once disguised himself 
as a homeless man as part of his ministry. He authored a book entitled 
``Among Friends.'' Father Sichko has invited many celebrities to his 
parish for fundraising events over the years, including Dolly Parton, 
First Lady Laura Bush, Donnie Osmond, and, most recently, Jay Leno.
  Father Sichko has made quite a difference in his parish and in the 
Richmond community. He will be greatly missed and I wish him well as he 
leaves to serve God in a different role. I am proud to recognize and 
honor him before the United States House of Representatives.

                          ____________________