[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 75 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING SACRED HEART ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF PHOENIX- VILLE, PA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2000

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure 
and enthusiasm that I rise to congratulate Sacred Heart Roman Catholic 
Church in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania on the momentous occasion of its 
Centennial Jubilee. This year, Rev. Msgr. John Galyo and the 
parishioners of the Church celebrate the 100th anniversary of their 
parish.
  Founded by Slovak immigrants in 1900 as a place to worship in their 
native tongue, Sacred Heart Church quickly developed into a cohesive 
faith community. However, the growth of the parish, both spiritually 
and physically, did not come without hard work, determination, and the 
pride of its people.
  The original wooden church was destroyed by fire in the 1920s. 
Through the tremendous sacrifices of its selfless parishioners, a new 
brick building was constructed and opened for services by 1929. It 
remains a house of worship to this day, giving testimony to the undying 
spirit of the Sacred Heart community.
  Although Slovak is no longer the main language spoken by the 
parishioners, their pride in the Slovak heritage lives on. In fact, 
Sacred Heart is one of only a few remaining Slovak parishes in the 
Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Over the course of the century, Sacred 
Heart has been both a blessing and an inspiration to Southeast 
Pennsylvania. It emerged from humble beginnings and has clearly 
prevailed through the often turbulent tests of time to become a 
thriving and enduring spiritual family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Msgr. Galyo and the parishioners of Sacred Heart 
Church as they celebrate a century of tremendous achievements. May they 
enjoy bountiful blessings and good fortune for many more years to come.

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