Arlington County, VA
Office of the County Board Proclamation

35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF FATHER GERRY CREEDON

WHEREAS, Father Gerry Creedon, a native Irishman from County Cork, was ordained 35 years ago and has served the communities of Northern Virginia with a passion for justice since joining the Diocese of Richmond in 1968;

WHEREAS, Father Gerry Creedon has been a tireless advocate for the poor, the homeless and the marginalized in our community, helping to launch Catholics for Housing, serving as diocesan director for Catholic Relief Services and of the Campaign for Human Development, founding Gabriel Homes, a non-profit organization that provides housing to developmentally-disabled adults, and continues to serve on the Boards of several community agencies committed to serving those who are in need;

WHEREAS, Father Gerry Creedon has stood in solidarity with poor people around the world by serving in the Arlington Dioceses' mission in the Dominican Republic, promoting peace and development through partnership with two communities in Haiti, and supporting the launch of a Philippine Medical Mission;

WHEREAS, Father Gerry Creedon is the founding chair of the Diocese of Arlington's Peace and Justice Commission and the Chair of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy - organizations which promote equality and justice in our community; and

WHEREAS, Father Gerry Creedon has been an unwavering voice for social justice in our community and a source of extraordinary inspiration to all who have experienced his boundless energy, his faith and his commitment to empowerment;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Paul Ferguson, Chairman of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, on this 21st day of June 2003, do recognize and commend Father Gerry Creedon for his exemplary service to the community and extend our congratulations on the 35th Anniversary of his ordination.

/signed/
Paul Ferguson
Chairman