[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE CHURCH OF ST. THERESE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN E. ENSIGN

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Church of St. 
Therese of the Little Flower in Reno, Nevada, on the milestone 
achievement of its Golden Jubilee. Today, October 1st, marks fifty 
years of the Church's service to Nevadans. Today is also the Church's 
celebration of the Feast of St. Therese of the Little Flower.
  This rare occasion will be celebrated with a special Mass, complete 
with fifty years of church music, and a banquet. The Mass is a 
beautiful and fitting way to intertwine its rich tradition of history, 
family, music, prayer, worship, thanksgiving, and most of all, 
reverence to God.
  While I was growing up in Reno, the Little Flower Church occupied 
much smaller quarters. Today, the church is among the most modern 
structures in Reno, and is a widely recognized landmark in its 
southeast neighborhood. And, like a beautiful flower, the parish has 
blossomed to 3,500 families. The Church of the Little Flower's 
congregation is diverse and welcoming, reflecting Reno's tremendous 
population growth in the last twenty years.
  Little Flower Church is the focal point for quality education for the 
local children and a variety of ministries to help the sick, elderly, 
and inmates at the Washoe County Jail. Truly, Little Flower Church is 
dedicated to the spiritual and physical needs of all people.
  I would also like to congratulate the pastor of the Little Flower 
Church, the Very Reverend Robert Bowling, on his remarkable twenty-four 
years of selfless service to this parish. Father Bowling has guided the 
Little Flower Church through its growth period. Because of his hard 
work and strong guidance at Little Flower, he has the admiration, 
support, love, and respect of the entire community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the parish of 
the Church of St. Therese of the Little Flower all the best on this 
very important day.

                          ____________________