[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E843-E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 1998

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Our Lady of Mount 
Carmel Church in West Allis, Wisconsin on the celebration of its 60th 
Anniversary as a congregation.
  The dream of having a church where the needs of the area Italian 
speaking community could be met began in the 1930's for a group of 
about 250 Italian-Americans. But several attempts to rent space for 
worship did not prove successful, and in 1938, members of the Italian 
community began to work to raise funds to build a church of their own.
  On September 21, 1939, the dream was realized, as Father Raymond Leng 
was named as the church's first administrator, and the parish began its 
official existence. The Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida also took 
up residence near the church and have since provided religious training 
to many generations of children from Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
  Father Leng served the congregation until 1946, and was succeeded by 
Father Salvatore Tagliavia, who served until 1956. Father Albert 
Valentino then became administrator, and remained with the congregation 
for nearly 35 years until his death in 1991.
  The present administrator, Father James Posanski, was appointed in 
1991. Since then, the church has undergone several renovation projects, 
the parish council was reorganized, and a number of spiritual and 
social activities were reintroduced to the congregation.
  In 1992, the local Korean community began having bi-weekly masses at 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel. And, as interest in these masses grew, Father 
John Mace, S.J. soon introduced weekly worship for the Korean-American 
community.
  Sadly, however, in December of 1996, due to a shortage of priests and 
declining numbers

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of parishioners, the Catholic Archdiocese announced the closing of Lady 
of Mount Carmel and several other area churches. The parish's final 
date for services will be July 12, 1998, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount 
Carmel.
  The church's diamond anniversary celebration was moved to May of 
1998, to give the congregation time to properly celebrate the history 
and life of their beloved parish community. Although the coming months 
may present a great many challenges as decisions are made concerning 
the future of this congregation, please join me in celebrating the 60 
wonderful years of this devoted and faithful parish.
  May the Lord bless them on whatever paths their futures hold.

                          ____________________