Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-04-08

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND FATHER THEODORE "TED" POTERES

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Context

On 2025-04-08, Representative Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN-1) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND FATHER THEODORE "TED" POTERES" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND FATHER THEODORE "TED" POTERES

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E300] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND FATHER THEODORE ``TED'' POTERES ______ HON. FRANK J. MRVAN of indiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to congratulate Reverend Father Theodore ``Ted'' Poteres, Proistamenos of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, on his retirement. For his twenty-eight years of leadership and unwavering devotion to the parish and to his community, Father Ted will be honored at a retirement celebration on May 18, 2025, at Saints Constantine and Helen Banquet Center. Reverend Father Ted Poteres was ordained in 1984 and began his career as parish priest of Saints Constantine and Helen in Rockford, Illinois, where he served for more than ten years. In 1997, he became the priest at Saints Constantine and Helen in Merrillville, Indiana. For his outstanding career in the priesthood spanning a remarkable forty-one years, Father Ted is worthy of the highest praise. Throughout his noteworthy career, Father Ted has worked tirelessly to support those most in need throughout the region. Under his direction at the cathedral in Merrillville, the church's ministries have continued to grow and expand. These programs include the Angel Tree program, the Harvest for Hungry program, winter clothing drives, back- to-school supply drives, hosting the Ross Township food pantry, and supporting the AHEPA low-income senior housing residents. In addition to his ministry efforts, providing his parishioners and the community with spiritual guidance has always been of the utmost importance to Father Ted, and he has done so with absolute integrity and grace. He has worked diligently to counsel his parishioners and the surrounding community on issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, suicide, cancer, HIV and AIDS, grief, marriage counseling, and youth concerns. Outside of his tireless work at the cathedral, Father Ted gives of his time and effort to numerous charitable endeavors within the community. He also serves on boards and committees for several organizations including the Chicago Metropolis for Jewish-Christian Dialogue, the Chicago Metropolis Youth Retreat Camps, the Northwest Indiana Orthodox Clergy Association, and the Merrillville Clergy Association, among others. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Reverend Father Ted Poteres for his extraordinary leadership at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, and to wish him well upon his retirement. For his lifetime of service to others and dedication to providing spiritual guidance and support to those most in need, Father Ted serves as an inspiration to us all. ____________________

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HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND FATHER THEODORE "TED" POTERES Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E300] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND FATHER THEODORE ``TED'' POTERES ______ HON. FRANK J. MRVAN of indiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to congratulate Reverend Father Theodore ``Ted'' Poteres, Proistamenos of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, on his retirement. For his twenty-eight years of leadership and unwavering devotion to the parish and to his community, Father Ted will be honored at a retirement celebration on May 18, 2025, at Saints Constantine and Helen Banquet Center. Reverend Father Ted Poteres was ordained in 1984 and began his career as parish priest of Saints Constantine and Helen in Rockford, Illinois, where he served for more than ten years. In 1997, he became the priest at Saints Constantine and Helen in Merrillville, Indiana. For his outstanding career in the priesthood spanning a remarkable forty-one years, Father Ted is worthy of the highest praise. Throughout his noteworthy career, Father Ted has worked tirelessly to support those most in need throughout the region. Under his direction at the cathedral in Merrillville, the church's ministries have continued to grow and expand. These programs include the Angel Tree program, the Harvest for Hungry program, winter clothing drives, back- to-school supply drives, hosting the Ross Township food pantry, and supporting the AHEPA low-income senior housing residents. In addition to his ministry efforts, providing his parishioners and the community with spiritual guidance has always been of the utmost importance to Father Ted, and he has done so with absolute integrity and grace. He has worked diligently to counsel his parishioners and the surrounding community on issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, suicide, cancer, HIV and AIDS, grief, marriage counseling, and youth concerns. Outside of his tireless work at the cathedral, Father Ted gives of his time and effort to numerous charitable endeavors within the community. He also serves on boards and committees for several organizations including the Chicago Metropolis for Jewish-Christian Dialogue, the Chicago Metropolis Youth Retreat Camps, the Northwest Indiana Orthodox Clergy Association, and the Merrillville Clergy Association, among others. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Reverend Father Ted Poteres for his extraordinary leadership at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, and to wish him well upon his retirement. For his lifetime of service to others and dedication to providing spiritual guidance and support to those most in need, Father Ted serves as an inspiration to us all. ____________________