Travis County Commissioners Court
June 2, 2009,
Item 4
>> number 4 is to approve resolution honoring father john korcsmar for his service to the diocese of Austin and the residents of the central Texas area and declare Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 as father john korcsmar day in Travis County.
>> thank you so much.
and I thank everyone is in the audience to join us, please come up to join father john.
and this is truly a tremendous partnership that we've had with you as well.
and so we wanted to make sure and let everybody know.
whereas 137 years ago, the very reverend father general edward soren, superior general of the congregation from holy cross from notre dame in indiana, colonel row barreds, a partner in the law firm of robards, stood on a hill surrounding an area of handsome live oaks and bluebonnets.
and whereas father soren acquired that site for what is now st.
edward's university, making it known as the notre dame of the hills and long conducted by the congregation of holy cross, which had its origins in france, founded by a holy french priest.
and whereas the congregation of holy cross responded to the great need for education throughout the united states, and came to the central Texas area in 1870 to begin establishing parishes such as san jose, santa luz, (indiscernible), among others, and whereas father john korcsmar, an ohio native was ordained on April 6, 1974 into the holy cross congregation whose chief goal is to educate people.
and whereas father john arrived in Austin, Texas in 1976 to become pastor of san jose catholic church in south Austin, ministering to the hispanic community of 600 families and then moving to the lourdes catholic church in 1982, which now serves the community of 1600 families.
and whereas father john taught parishoners about the church's rich heritage and social teachings as they try plie to life today.
and whereas in 1982 father john lost no time in being part of a team of local residents who were empowered to participate in the political process utilizing principles of faith and democracy.
and whereas the Austin interfaith came into existence with 12 churches with their congregations, becoming a sister organization with other organizations in the state of Texas, putting in place a summer youth employment program, organize the alliance of schools, creating capital i.d.e.a., a successful and effective job training program for adults.
and whereas father john was called on by bishop mccarthy to take on the leadership roles of dean of the Austin south deanery and holery gross congregation national pro vin shall of the holy cross congregation.
and whereas father john dedicated most of his life's work for social justice and hispanic life issues as reflected in the church's rich social teachings and which include immigration reform.
and whereas father john will return to notre dame for a well earned sabbatical in June 2009, resuming his study of social justice issues there.
now therefore be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court does here by recognize Tuesday general fund 2nd, 2009 as father john korcsmar did day in Travis County and calls on all citizens to join us in wishing father john the best in his well earned sabbatical.
and I move approval.
>> second.
morning.
>> morning.
>> comments?
>> well, hello.
i'm dulce rivera and I'm a parishoner at the church and it's been quite an honor to know this gentleman, not you just as my priest.
recently he actually married me Friday, so that's even an greater honor for me and my husband.
but he's also a friend of our family.
and he's a friend to a lot of people, but I feel very fortunate to have known him in my life.
and I must say my husband's not here, but he's looking very forward to going to notre dame to see a football game with the father.
>> [ laughter ] my husband wanted to make sure that I mentioned that.
but I just feel very -- a very lucky person to have known him.
and he is an excellent role model.
not just as a priest, but just as a person who cares about the community, about everyone, especially the needy.
>> thank you.
>> any other comments?
>> thank you.
i'm truly humbled by this.
i'm grateful for having the opportunity to have been here in Austin, Travis County all these years.
and been able to participate in the kinds of things that I have.
and I appreciate and I'm honored by your proclamation.
and I would be scolded if I didn't remind you to continue funding capital idea as well as all the other things we have going.
thank you.
>> and we failed to mention a little bit about father john's sense of humor, which he has told us all as well that it's a necessary tool to have as you move out in the community working with all kinds of interests, people wanting to come together.
and I also recall once coming before the Commissioners court in -- I think it was in 1980, something like that, and he was introduced to make his comments to the court.
and I think his title was executive assistant to god.
>> [ laughter ] so I didn't think that executive assistant to god retired.
>> well, they don't get paid much.
>> that's true.
but certainly it's great to know.
we know somebody at notre dame.
thanks so much.
>> thank you.
all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
>> great.
>> [ applause ]
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 2:00 PM