[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARISH OF ST. LOUIS THE KING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2005

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker today to honor the parish of St. Louis the 
King Roman Catholic Church for 50 years of serving the communities of 
Marquette, Harvey, Lakewood, Hiawatha Shores, Sand River, Beaver Grove, 
Mangum, West Branch, Skandia, Dukes and Sands. The parish has provided 
opportunities for thousands of people to seek faith, conduct outreach, 
and engage in fellowship and worship.
  On June 30, 1954, Most Reverend Thomas L. Noa D.D. announced the 
formation of the new parish, St. Louis the King. That day, Rev. David 
Harris was appointed Administrator. Less than a month later on July 
18th Father Harris said his first mass in Chocolay Township Hall 
beginning one of many ``firsts'' to take place for the young 
congregation.
  That first year, St. Louis the King would rejoice in their first 
baptism of Eileen Marie Williams, daughter of Albert Williams and 
Frances Casimir; mourn their first death of Larry Wayne Lajeunesse, son 
of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lajeunesse; witness their first marriage of 
Leonard Lemieux, son of Wilfred Lemieux and Lorette Gauthier, and 
Marion Tousignant, daughter of Alfred and Lucelle Santamore; and 
celebrate their first Holy Communion of thirteen boys and seven girls.
  After a year of memorable firsts, the parish would also celebrate the 
ground breaking for the new church on July 20th, 1955 on land obtained 
from Fred Greenleaf, a member of the parish. While the congregation 
patiently waited for the completion of the new church, St. Louis the 
King would continue to evolve confirming their first class of fourteen 
boys, twelve girls and nine adults by Bishop Thomas Noa on November 
5th, 1956.
  The fruits of their labor and reward of their patience was realized 
on December 25th, 1959 when members of St. Louis the King heard their 
first mass in the new church. Solemn High Mass of the Nativity was 
delivered with a sermon given by Rev. Mr. Allen Mayotte of the parish. 
He would be ordained six months later becoming the first parish son 
ordained to the priesthood from the St. Louis the King Parish.
  Many improvements have been made to the church through the years, but 
the most important development has been the learning experience parish 
members have gained from the past 50 years of growing together. As 
people who started as individuals and families bound together by their 
faith, they have now created a larger body of Christ united in their 
Catholic faith. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating the St. Louis the King 
Roman Catholic Church on their first 50 years as a parish and in 
wishing them success in the future as they continue to grow, love, and 
live their faith.

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