[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT LEO THE GREAT PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of Saint Leo the Great Parish, a parish that builds on 
tradition, innovation and education.
  In October 1948, St. Leo opened its doors. Father Sylvester Lux was 
appointed as the first pastor. Constructed to serve the growing 
communities of the South Hills area of Cleveland, Brooklyn Heights, and 
the northeast area of Parma, St. Leo drew its original families from 
Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Francis DeSales parishes in Cleveland 
and Parma respectively.
  In the spring of 1949, realizing that members of the parish didn't 
enjoy attending Mass at a public school, a temporary building was 
erected in three days. In January 1950, construction began on both a 
new school and a new church. The school opened in September 1950, and 
inaugural Mass was celebrated in the church on December 24, 1950.
  Throughout the last fifty years, pastors have benevolently dedicated 
themselves to spreading the word of God and developing a parish that 
contributes to the well-being of its community. Both pastors and 
parishioners have devoted much of their time to sheltering the 
homeless, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, fostering the elderly 
and educating the youth. These same principles are still emulated today 
under the direction of Fr. Bob Bielek.
  As the 50th anniversary approaches, St. Leo and parishioners are 
seizing the opportunity to make the world a finer place. Among the 
events marking the anniversary year is the Habitat for Humanity Adopt a 
House Project. The parish would become the first Catholic Parish within 
the city of Cleveland to complete such a project. The project is 
directly linked to St. Leo's 50th anniversary theme; to ``Build a House 
Where Love Can Dwell.''
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in celebrating St. Leo's 50th 
anniversary, a celebration of service and enhancement that began in 
1948 and continues today.

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