[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF SAINT VINCENT de PAUL PARISH

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my best wishes to 
Saint Vincent de Paul Parish of Cleveland, Ohio. For 75 years, this 
parish has served as a spiritual refuge, opening its doors to any soul 
in search of peace.
  Saint Vincent de Paul originated in 1922 when a group of people 
living on the outskirts of Cleveland petitioned Bishop Schrembs to 
recognize and act on their need to have a parish. Under the leadership 
of Father Michael Flanigan, the parish community grew rapidly causing a 
need to build a church. By 1924, the basic outlines of Saint Vincent de 
Paul included a church for worship, as well as a school which educated 
340 children.
  The Great Depression greatly affected the parish by halting its rapid 
expansion, but also leading many of its young men and women to enter 
the Lord's service. When the depression ended, the membership continued 
to grow, resulting in overcrowding of the school. To allow for this 
rapid growth, the Bishop decided to build several parishes to fill the 
need of Catholics to worship, making Saint Vincent de Paul the mother 
parish of all the others. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the parish 
experienced many changes, including several ordinations to the 
priesthood, renovations to the church, and a number of staffing changes 
that demonstrated an impressive level of dedication and commitment.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in celebrating the 75th 
anniversary of Saint Vincent de Paul. The parish has a strong sense of 
community and a proud heritage to guide it into the future.

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