[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           TRIBUTE TO ST. MARY'S PARISH ON 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                             HON. BOB CARR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Mr. CARR of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to 
extend my congratulations to St. Mary's parish of Williamston, MI, on 
the occasion of their 125th anniversary.
  St. Mary's parish has enjoyed a long history of strength and 
devotion, that has grown out of commitment to the Catholic Church and 
to the community. Before the establishment of St. Mary's parish, 
families were willing to make the 10 mile journey to St. Patrick's 
Church, often over almost impassible roads, to worship God and take 
communion. The conviction of the pioneers to continue practicing 
catholicism is demonstrated by the sacrifice of these families.
  The devotion that characterizes St. Mary's parish was originally 
demonstrated by Jerome and James Waldo. In 1868, the dream of 
establishing a Catholic church in Williamston came to fruition when the 
Waldo brothers sold a plot of land to Detroit Bishop Peter Paul 
Lefevere for a mere 25 cents. Bishop Lefevere agreed to build the first 
building at a cost of $1100.
  One-hundred and twenty-five years later, St. Mary's parish has 
expanded to include a multitude of services to meet the growing and 
diverse needs of their members and the community. Today, St. Mary's is 
reaching out to the community, in cooperation with local organizations, 
to combat social problems. These programs, including the SHARE program, 
which gives food subsidies to low-income families, and the Williamston 
Drug Alliance, a community effort to control drug use in Williamston, 
have proven successful efforts to support and improve the Williamston 
area.
  Since before the turn-of-the-century, St. Mary's parish has also been 
able to expand and meet the changing needs of its parishioners. St. 
Mary's parish has responded to parishioners by undertaking projects 
such as the establishment of St. Mary's School in 1959, to accommodate 
the need for Catholic education in Williamston. As a result of this 
sustained growth, St. Mary's parish enjoys the services of a new 
building that was erected in 1985. This building is a tribute to the 
prosperity that a growing membership of over 700 families has brought 
to the parish.
  St. Mary's parish has long been a pillar of the Williamston 
community. Please join me in recognizing their accomplishments over the 
past 125 years, and in wishing St. Mary's continued success in the 
years to come.

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