[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       IN RECOGNITION OF THE 88TH ANNUAL FEAST OF ST. WENCESLAUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Czech 
Catholics of Greater Cleveland's 88th Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus on 
September 24, 2011 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. This year's 
celebration will also honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of 
Cleveland's former Holy Family Parish.
  St. Wenceslaus is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Every year, 
his feast day, September 28th, is celebrated by Czech communities 
around the world. St. Wenceslaus was the leader of Old Bohemia during 
the early part of the 10th Century. During his tenure as king, St. 
Wenceslaus took a vow of chastity and was devoted to his Christian 
faith. Killed by his brother, St. Wenceslaus was later canonized as a 
martyr of the Christian faith.
  In addition to celebrating the Feast of St. Wenceslaus, the 100th 
anniversary of the founding of the former Holy Family Parish will be 
recognized at this year's celebration. Holy Family was founded on 
November 6, 1911 after Father Rudolph Habrda noticed Bohemian families 
moving into Cleveland's Woodland Hills neighborhood. Over the years, as 
parishioners began to move to the suburbs, the parish school merged 
with St. Cecilia, Epiphany and St. Mary of Czestochowa to form Mr. 
Pleasant Elementary School. In 1988, the Holy Family Parish was closed.
  Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is one of only two Czech congregations 
left in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, along with St. John Nepomucene 
in Slavic Village. The Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland will gather 
together on September 24th for mass and a celebration featuring the 
Hronek Czech Band.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 88th 
Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus. I offer my best wishes to the Czech 
Catholics of Greater Cleveland and all those who attend this joyous 
celebration.

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