[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2345-E2346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CATHOLIC SISTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Mr. SOUDER, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio's resolution (H. Res. 441) recognizing the 
contributions of the Catholic Sisters to the United States.
  The efforts of Catholic Sisters have had an incredible impact on my 
district in northeast Indiana. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin was one of 
the first brave souls to leave France in response to the call of Bishop 
Simon Brute of the Diocese of Vincennes to come to Indiana and help 
establish a system of schools for education.
  Bishop Brute's motivation for seeking the support and involvement of 
religious women for this calling came from his experience working with 
another religious Sister, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
  Saint Mother Theodore traveled across the wilds of then-frontier 
Indiana and established many parish schools across the State, including 
in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Along with the Holy Cross Brothers and Fathers 
based at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mother Theodore had a 
major impact on the creation of parish schools throughout northeast 
Indiana. That we have a successful Catholic school system in my 
district is due in no small part to her early efforts.
  Sts. Theodore and Elizabeth Ann Seton have left lasting legacies in 
my district. The Catholic parish across from my kids' alma mater is 
dedicated to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the relatively new Latin Mass 
community in Fort Wayne is named for Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.
  The foundation of education laid down by these pioneering sisters is 
today embodied by the example of the University of Saint Francis and 
its president, Sister Elise Kriss, OSF. You will not find a more humble 
and devoted servant than Sister Elise, who has led her institution 
through a period of rapid growth. She is a strong example of Christian 
leadership for both her students and the entire Fort Wayne community.
  The Religious Sisters' contribution to my district extends well 
beyond education. St. Joseph Hospital was founded by Fort Wayne Bishop 
John Henry Luers in 1869. The Poor Handmaidens of Jesus Christ 
subsequently responded to his call to help serve the German-speaking 
immigrants of the area and continued assisting the hospital and many 
area parishes. They now lead the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation 
which has been a key partner with me and my staff as we work to address 
the plight of Fort Wayne's increasing Burmese refugee population.
  My district originally included Huntington County, which is home to 
the motherhouse of Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters. The Victory 
Knoll Sisters would always write to me about the cause of peace and 
justice and the plight of different people around our country and the 
world.
  These are just a few of the many dedicated religious women that are 
faithfully serving in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, but are a 
good representation of the important legacy they provide our region. I 
would like to

[[Page E2346]]

thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for introducing this resolution and 
urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the important contributions 
these women have made and continue to make across the country.

                          ____________________