[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 100 (Thursday, July 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION LITHUANIAN 
                            CATHOLIC PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2005

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Immaculate 
Conception Lithuanian Catholic Parish as it celebrates its 110th 
Anniversary on October 16, 2005. Since its founding in 1895, the Parish 
has been symbol of faith to the East St. Louis community.
  The church was founded by Lithuanian immigrants after they fled 
religious bondage and famine occurring in Russia during the late 1800s. 
The first purely Lithuanian Catholic congregation was organized in 1885 
in New York. Soon afterwards separate Lithuanian churches were built in 
other places like Immaculate Conception of East St. Louis in 1895.
  The challenge of the Church is to be a constant light in a dark world 
and to bring resilience and hope to the people who need it most. 
Throughout these 110 years Immaculate Conception Lithuanian Catholic 
Parish has done just that. My family and I are proud to have attended 
mass at Immaculate Conception Lithuanian Catholic Parish.
  My prayer is that God will continue to bless this small congregation 
and that they would remain a positive influence for the future of the 
Parish and the community of East St. Louis.

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