[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SAINT GERARD PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TIMOTHY WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saint Gerard 
Parish in Lansing, Michigan on the celebration of its fiftieth 
anniversary. It is with great admiration and pride that I congratulate 
St. Gerard on behalf of all of those in south-central Michigan who have 
benefited from its steadfast commitment to faith, education, outreach 
and prayer.
  St. Gerard Parish, named after St. Gerard Majella, Patron of Mothers, 
was established in June of 1958. Lacking a permanent meeting place, its 
first Sunday services were held in the gymnasium of Bretton Woods 
School. Each parishioner was asked to give an hour's salary a week to 
build a temporary church and less than a year later, in April of 1959, 
ground was broken. The first liturgy in the packed 800-seat church 
occurred during Christmas Midnight Mass in 1959, and in the fall of 
1960, Saint Gerard School opened its doors for its first class.
  In October of 1974, a fund drive was announced for a permanent church 
building. Within three short months, the $350,000 goal was surpassed by 
$180,000. Bishop James S. Sullivan dedicated the present church on June 
15, 1975. St. Gerard Parish continues to grow, requiring an expansion 
of its facilities beginning in 2000. Mirroring the impressive growth-
rate of the church, St. Gerard School is now filled to capacity with 
350 students enrolled.
  St. Gerard Parish stands out for its deep involvement in the Lansing 
community, and it constantly seeks out ways to serve those in need. The 
church sponsors countless outreach programs, including Senior Citizen 
potlucks and Bingo nights, Couple to Couple League and the Lansing 
Regional Council of Catholic Women. St. Gerard has also been extremely 
instrumental in reaching out to the sick and homebound through its 
Befriender Ministry and Respite Care. It is impossible to measure the 
enormous impact these ministries have had on lives throughout Lansing. 
They merely reflect the loving hearts of the St. Gerard community and 
testify to the unwavering faith that has flourished at St. Gerard for 
the past fifty years.
  Madam Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Saint 
Gerard Parish on the celebration of its fiftieth anniversary since 
first coming together to follow the Lord Jesus. May others know of my 
high regard for the St. Gerard community's inspiring faith and 
eagerness to serve, as well as my best wishes for Saint Gerard Parish 
in the future.

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