[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT THOMAS MORE PARISH

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Saint 
Thomas More Parish in Fairfield, Essex County, New Jersey, which is 
celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013.
  The St. Thomas More Parish has been a staple of religious excellence 
in the Township of Fairfield over the past half a century. Founded in 
1962, the parish has grown steadily, and today is made up of different 
groups of people within its organization to assist its parishioners. 
This includes the Pastoral Council that was put in place to assess the 
needs of the church and decide its future paths. The council is made up 
of members of the community in addition to the pastor and two other 
members of the parish's staff. They pride themselves on always being 
available to hear concerns, ideas, and opinions of the parish members.
  Furthermore, St. Thomas More provides consistent adult education to 
those looking to learn more about their religion. Often times, these 
educators are taken directly from the community or surrounding 
parishes. The adult program is coupled with the Baptismal Team which 
provides new, young parents with education on how to properly prepare 
one another for their children to be baptized and how to cope with 
bringing an infant into their lives. The team not only helps guide 
them, but participates in the baptism and follows up with the family in 
the forthcoming months in order to maintain a continued relationship.
  St. Thomas More takes great responsibility in ensuring the proper 
religious education for children who partake in the CCD program. 
Available from the ages of kindergarten to ninth grade, there are 
individuals trained to demonstrate and teach the concepts of 
Catholicism to the children. The Parish has said that, ``The goal is to 
have the children realize that being a Catholic Christian is a way of 
life. It is a spiritual journey that one walks to grow in faith, to 
make a Christian difference in the world.'' These instructors work 
together to guarantee they are on the same page at all times.
  The Parish also offers intense spiritual programs, such as 
Cornerstone, that enable men and women to take part in a 26 hour 
retreat, intended to bring to light a buried sense of faith and show 
these adults that they are not alone in their struggles. Sponsored by 
the lead Pastor, the church offers many social groups such as Bible 
study, prayer groups, adult, children, and bell choirs, high school 
music ensembles, senior clubs, and various committees. Specifically 
these committees include an Evangelization committee, a Stewardship 
committee, a Eucharist committee, and a music committee that oversees 
all music in the Church.
  Lastly, St. Thomas More continually strives to give back to those who 
need assistance in the community. They do this through programs such as 
the Giving Tree during Christmas, a food pantry year round, soup 
kitchens, and a Homebound Ministry that provides elderly members of the 
community with volunteers to assist with their needs. Moreover, their 
Annual Carnival has become an important part of the season, allowing 
community members to celebrate the word of God with fellow 
parishioners.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the St. Thomas More Parish as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

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