[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 125 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGREGATION OF ST. JOSEPH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Congregation of 
St. Joseph [CSJ] in Cleveland, OH as they celebrate their 125th 
anniversary of serving the Cleveland community through their faith, 
service, and vision.
  For the Sisters of St. Joseph, this anniversary year has been one of 
reflection on their faith and a renewal of their spirituality. The 
sisters recently spent a weekend exploring the core principles and 
values of their faith and endeavored to find God and love in everyday 
life.
  This year has also been a time to contemplate the areas of service in 
which CSJ is involved. Throughout their history, the sisters have 
reached out to others in the Cleveland community. The Sisters of St. 
Joseph have been involved in educating the youth of the community's 
parishes and in helping many other service organizations such as the 
West Side Catholic Center and Women's Shelter, Providence House--(a 
crisis nursery for children), transitional housing for women and 
families, day care, and hospital visits. As part of the anniversary 
celebration, the Sisters of St. Joseph awarded a grant to fund a new 
service project in the community, ``Seeds of Literacy.'' This project, 
coordinated with three other parishes in the Cleveland area, will reach 
out to needy adults to increase their literacy skills and sense of self 
worth, hopefully resulting in new job opportunities for them so they 
will be able to support themselves and their children.
  The congregation has also spent this anniversary year focusing on the 
vision that has carried them through the past 125 years, and which will 
inspire them in the future. Just as many bridges span the Cuyahoga 
River in Cleveland, connecting the east side of the city to the west, 
CSJ is always looking for ways to build new bridges connecting 
themselves to their traditional spirituality, connecting their 
accomplishments of the past to their vision of the future, and 
connecting the Congregation of St. Joseph to the Cleveland community.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the devoted Sisters 
of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

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