[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO HOLY FAMILY PARISH ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the 
House of Representatives to the 100th Anniversary of the Holy Family 
Parish in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania on their centennial celebration on 
Sunday, September 14th.
  One hundred years ago, Holy Family Parish was established when Bishop 
Michael J. Hoban named Father Stanislaus A. Dreier as the first pastor. 
The parish consisted of approximately 150 families. Life was hard, with 
many men working in the mines from dawn to dusk. With knowledge of the 
many accidents and various mine disasters, the strong roots of their 
Catholic faith helped them to endure their personal hardships.
  In 1911, Father Franciszek Kasaczun, the second and most influential, 
pastor was named. His 31 years as pastor was during a time of 
heightened influx of immigrants from Europe who were looking to a 
church to meet their spiritual needs. These new immigrants established 
strong ties to the church, showing their loyalty to their new country, 
and keeping their ties with Poland. Because of his fluency in Polish, 
Lithuanian, and English, Father Kasaczun was just the man to accomplish 
this. He recognized the importance of education to help the immigrant 
families better themselves. The school began as just four rooms 
operating in the church basement, but through Father Kasaczun's efforts 
moved into the rectory. In 1916 Father Kasaczun invited the Bernadine 
Sisters of Reading, Pennsylvania to take over the work of teaching and 
caring for the Sanctuary and Sacristy.
  Father Kasaczun organized many humanitarian efforts benefiting the 
community. Among many other accomplishments, he organized the 
Children's Relief Fund for Poland, helped WWI veterans with their 
transition back to civilian life, remodeled company homes, covered the 
swamps with clean fill, fixed the main street, and convinced the Lehigh 
and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company to build a playground for the children in 
the community.
  On July 7, 1992, Father John S. Terry was named the sixth, and 
current pastor of Holy Family Parish. Father Terry, in addition to 
overseeing the renovation of the church, introduced new practices and 
devotions to the parish. Children's masses were celebrated monthly and 
on holidays. A special mass for the deceased would be held on All 
Soul's Day with the participation of family and friends. Meals were 
delivered to the shut-ins and needy during Christmas, Easter, and 
Thanksgiving.
  The past one hundred years has brought many changes to the Holy 
Family parish and community. Gone are the coal, rail and garment 
industries that employed their parish members. They held together 
during the tragic world events that brought them unity and emotion. 
Today, The Holy Family Parish has become an important historical 
landmark in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, and a home to their growing 
population of parish members.
  Mr. Speaker, on their 100th Anniversary, I recognize both the efforts 
and positive impact of Holy Family Parish and Father John S. Terry in 
Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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