[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. 
Joseph's Catholic Church in celebrating its 100th anniversary. The 
congregation had its centennial celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2008.
  St. Joseph's Catholic Church is located in Twain Harte, California. 
The origin of this community can be traced back to some of the original 
settlers in 1907. The area began as a small mining and logging town in 
the high Sierra Nevada foothills. The church was founded in 1908 with 
the construction of St. Joseph's Church in Tuolumne City. The church 
itself not only sets the tone for the present generation but is a proud 
symbol of the dedication of the pioneer ancestors who built it.
  St. Joseph's was originally a member of Sonora's St. Patrick's 
Parish. Because of the distance to travel between Tuolumne City and 
Sonora, and the large number of worshipers, the people of northeastern 
Tuolumne County applied to the Chancery several times for the building 
of a new parish. Reverend Hugh A. Donohoe, the Bishop of Stockton, 
decided to go forth with the new parish. The parish in Twain Harte was 
formally erected and completed on June 20, 1962. The task of forming 
the Parish was effectively executed by the late Fr. George Lacey, who 
served the community for 21 years. Fr. William Ryan served the Parish 
for 10 years and worked to enhance and complete the Parish plant. The 
parish is now part of Twain Harte's All Saints Parish.
  Three generations of worshipers make up the 200 parishioners, headed 
by Fr. John Fitzgerald and Deacon Ed Zoma. Deacon Zoma is ordained in 
the Chaldean Rite and can claim to be the longest serving deacon in the 
country. The Alter Society has now grown into the All Saints' Parish 
Ladies' Guild and has about sixty members.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate St. Joseph's 
Catholic Church on its centennial celebration. I invite my colleagues 
to join me in wishing the congregation of St. Joseph's Catholic Church 
many years of continued success.

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