[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1602-E1603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 1996

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to St. 
Patrick's Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. St. Patrick's is celebrating its 
75th anniversary on September 15, 1996. I am pleased to have been asked 
to participate in the recognition of this milestone.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1921 a group of 400 families formed a new parish 
called St. Patrick's. The Reverend John Lynott celebrated mass for the 
group in the Sterling Theater. The theater held the parish for a year 
before they moved to their own home in a small basement.
  In 1929, on the same site, the cornerstone was laid for a new 
structure which was to become the present St. Patrick's church. The 
stones of the building had great significance to the members. 
Reflecting the Irish heritage of many of the parishioners, one stone 
was brought from Ireland where it was taken from a spot near the grave 
of St. Patrick. Another stone came from the Vatican Mausoleum in Italy.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1930 Bishop Thomas O'Reilly dedicated the new church 
building for the parish of St. Patrick's. Since then the parish has 
faithfully ministered to the Irish community in the Wilkes-Barre area 
for 75 years. Since its humble beginning in 1921, a succession of 
pastors have provided spiritual guidance to generations of 
parishioners. As the

[[Page E1603]]

Wyoming Valley has changed, so has St. Patrick's. The church's current 
vibrancy and dedication reflects its commitment to the Wyoming Valley 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring this milestone anniversary to the 
attention of my colleagues and to send my best wishes for the continued 
prosperity of St. Patrick's Church.

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