[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING SAINT RICHARD PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2003

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to St. Richard 
Parish. On June 8, 2003, St. Richard will celebrate its 75th 
Anniversary. With its location on the southwest side of Chicago, St. 
Richard Parish has a warm and rich heritage which warrants recognition.
  On the 8th of June 1928, His eminence George Cardinal Mundelein 
established St. Richard Parish. The Parish was named after St. Richard 
de Wyche, bishop of Chichester, England.
  Reverend Horace Wellman was appointed the first pastor and in late 
June 1928, he celebrated his first mass. The first mass was given in a 
storefront on 51st Street that also served as a temporary home for the 
church. A census was taken over the following months to determine how 
many families would support a newly established church. Results from 
the census comprised of many different ethnic backgrounds for a total 
110 families.
  Property for St. Richard Parish was purchased at the intersections of 
Kostner Avenue, 50th Street, and Kenneth Avenue. Within a month the new 
church was ready and on September 2, 1928 the first mass was presented. 
The official blessing of St. Richard Church took place October 21st, 
with Rt. Rev. Msgr. D.J. Dunner D.D. officiating.
  Father Wellman served his people well until he unfortunately and 
surprisingly passed away from a heart attack in 1931. The second pastor 
appointed to St. Richard Parish was Father Francis J. Quinn who 
officially took over on October 17, 1931. Under the direction of Father 
Quinn the Parish grew steadily in number, while also recovering from 
the Great Depression.
  In April 1944, Father Quinn left St. Richard to assume the pastorate 
of St. Ambrose Church and was succeeded by Father Joseph Griffin. 
Father Griffin had to resign because of poor health, after serving as 
pastor for six months.
  On November 10, 1944, Reverend Edward L. Kilroy was appointed pastor 
of St. Richard Church and helped continue the growth of the Parish. 
Under his direction and guidance, a new brick building combining both 
church and school was erected. It was Father Kilroy who asked the 
Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin to teach in the school, 
which opened in September of 1947. By the late 50's the enrollment in 
the school had passed 1,000 students. Father Kilroy recognized the need 
for expansion and so in 1959, a new church was erected on the southwest 
corner of West 50th Street and South Kostner.

  In March 1966, Father Kilroy was given the honorary title of Pastor 
Emeritus and retired from his pastoral duties. Father William Fisher 
was assigned to succeed Father Kilroy as pastor of St. Richard Parish.
  Father Fisher and the people of St. Richard combined their efforts 
and talents to organize what has become known as the ``annual county 
fair,'' more commonly known as a carnival. Since 1972, the annual 
county fair has become a staple within the community.
  Father Fisher retired from St. Richard Parish in 1981 as Pastor 
Emeritus and was succeeded by Reverend Jerome Siwek. Under Father Siwek 
the church was remodeled and lay minister programs were developed. 
Father Siwek became Pastor Emeritus on June 13, 1999.
  Reverend Thomas Bernas followed Father Siwek and was installed as 
Pastor of St. Richard Church in June 1999. Upon his arrival he 
completed many projects that were planned as part of the ``Into the 
21st Century'' campaign. Father Bernas sought to expand the vision of 
St. Richard Parish and has presided over the continued growth in its 
ministries and programs.
  Organizations and groups continue to meet the many and diverse needs 
of the Parishioners. Because of St. Richard's excellent reputation, and 
because of the hard work of the faculty and staff, the school continues 
to see an increase in enrollment. Father Bernas also involved the 
Parish in a variety of community groups and organizations. St. Richard 
Parish is an active member of the Archer Heights Civic Association and 
the Chicago Police Caps Program.
  This year marks the 75th Anniversary of St. Richard Parish. For 75 
years God has generously blessed this Parish. Hopefully this will be a 
year of jubilee and celebration. St. Richard Parish has been and 
continues to be a proud community where people gather to worship God, 
socialize, work together, learn together, and celebrate as a family of 
faith.

                          ____________________