[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E518-E519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO SAINT ADALBERT ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WHITING, 
                                INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to 
congratulate Saint Adalbert Roman Catholic Church in Whiting, Indiana, 
as it commemorates its 100th anniversary as a congregation on April 14, 
2002. This parish has been celebrating its centennial for the past year 
with monthly festivities, and each event has strengthened the sense of 
community among the church members, united through their Baptismal 
bonds. The culmination of this revelry will be the jubilee Mass 
celebrated by Bishop Dale J. Melczek and will include Father Michael 
Blastic, who will deliver the invocation, and Father Steven Gross, who 
will serve as toastmaster.

[[Page E519]]

  During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States 
became home to more than 20 million European immigrants who brought 
with them the rich cultural heritage of their homelands. Northwest 
Indiana pulsed with the influx of Slavic immigrants who settled along 
the shores of Lake Michigan, eager to make their impact on the region. 
Throughout the region, the imprint of the Slovak and Polish cultures 
remain yet today, and are evident in the names these Hoosiers bear and 
in the traditions passed down from each generation. The most 
significant contribution to the area, however, has been the 
establishment of parish churches.
  Early Polish Catholics had to travel to neighboring communities 
throughout Indiana and Illinois in order to worship. In 1902, with the 
bishop's approval, Whiting's Poles purchased land and constructed a 
wooden church on Indianapolis Boulevard. First known as St. Peter, the 
church was later renamed St. Adalbert to honor the congregation's 
Polish heritage. This simple structure born out of the devotion to 
their culture and to their faith became the foundation for new 
generations of Polish Catholics to discover the bonds that bind them 
together as a spiritual family.
  Over the past 100 years, St. Adalbert has been served by many able 
leaders who have ensured the congregation's spiritual growth and 
cultural heritage were not compromised as it evolved structurally with 
each passing decade. Father Peter Budnik was St. Adalbert's first 
pastor, who established the parish school. St. Adalbert experienced 
significant growth under Father John Skrzypinski. As the acting pastor 
from 1911 to 1922, he expanded the service of St. Adalbert's to include 
a convent for the sisters of Nazareth, which housed the sisters for 
sixty years, an addition to the school, and the construction of a new 
rectory. Later, in 1950, Father Walter Pawlicki supervised the 
construction of the present church, which was completed in 1953.
  The church and its members have remained steadfast in its promise to 
assist those friends less fortunate than they. The St. Hedwig's 
Society, a society for women, was founded in 1904. Among their 
philanthropic causes, they donated their time and energy to the church 
and the school, as well as to homes for the aged, and assisting relief 
funds for Polish orphans. In 1942, the Holy Name Society was 
established and was instrumental in providing morale to members 
overseas fighting on the battlegrounds in World War II. During the 
1930's, the St. Adalbert Choir became associated with the Polish 
Singers Alliance of America. This choir, which was dedicated to the 
enrichment of Polish musical culture, was recognized as one of the most 
active singing groups in the alliance.
  Father John Zemelko, the current pastor, has imparted this 
philosophical mustering to his congregation: ``We live in a world that 
is coming together as a human family. There's no doubt that, if the 
world exists another 100 years, the human family will become more 
united than it is today. This of course, will be a reality if, and only 
if, the Church and other world religions continue to foster a respect 
and dignity of the culture of life.'' It is this respect and dignity of 
the culture of life that has sustained St. Adalbert for the past 100 
years. As we ourselves advance into this brave new world heralded by 
the dawn of the twenty-first century, perhaps we might all reflect upon 
the unity of the human family for whom Father Zemelko is so optimistic, 
and find opportunities to foster respect and dignity for all in our own 
lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me today in commending the parish family of St. Adalbert as they 
prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their founding. All past 
and present parishioners and pastors should be proud of the numerous 
contributions they have made out of their love and their devotion for 
their church.

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