[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1821-E1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ST. RAYMOND NONNATUS PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay tribute to the 
Parish of St. Raymond Nonnatus, which yesterday celebrated 100 years of 
serving the community in my South Bronx congressional district.
  The parish was named after a 13th century Spanish mercedarian and 
cardinal. It is located at 1759 Castle Hill Avenue, in the Bronx.
  A mass of Thanksgiving offered by Archbishop John Cardinal O'Connor 
opened the ceremonies of the parish's 100th anniversary. The church 
belongs to the family of parishes that were established in the late 
1890's in New York City; among them is Holy Family Parish, which this 
year also celebrates its 100th anniversary.
  The origins of St. Raymond Nonnatus Parish date back to 1843. A small 
church was erected under the leadership of Bishop John Hughes. In the 
1890's Father Edward McKenna saw the church in poor condition and 
decided to erect a new building. The church was built in 1897 in a 
beautiful Byzantine style, with wonderful stained-glass windows.
  Since its beginnings, the church has served a multiethnic community. 
In the early 1900's Catholics from all over Europe were members of the 
congregation. More recently, African-Americans and members of the 
Hispanic and Asian communities have joined the parish.
  In 1908, under the pastorate of Father McKenna, a school was 
established to educate the children of the community. In the 1950's, 
Father Thaddeus Tierney oversaw the construction of a new school of 
accommodate the growing number of students. Even today, it remains one 
of the best equipped elementary schools in the Nation.
  In addition, two other schools were established, the Boy's High 
School in 1958, and St. Raymond's Academy for Girls in 1960. A convent, 
a rectory and a cemetery are also integral parts of the parish.
  Since the 1970's a social ministry was expanded to better serve the 
needs of the community. Monsignor Henry J. Vier added a Spanish mass to 
the Sunday schedule. He also established the Bronx Association for 
Special Education, the Archdiocesan Drug Addiction Program and the East 
Bronx Hunger Program.
  Through the years, the church has been renovated several times. It 
now houses a magnificent marble alter, a great canopy, and an organ.

[[Page E1822]]

  Today Father Charles Kavanagh leads the church. He is the 16th pastor 
of St. Raymond Nonnatus Parish. The parish now provides the community 
with various social services, including the Family Outreach and Youth 
Program, St. Raymond's Head Start, an expanded East Bronx Hunger 
Program, the After School Program, and the senior center.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Parish 
of St. Raymond Nonnatus for its glorious history and service to our 
South Bronx community.

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