[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR SAVIOR PARISH

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of Our Savior Parish. It is my honor and privilege to 
recognize the devotion and hard work of the members of Our Savior 
Parish, who for so long now have striven to support the communities of 
Detroit and Dearborn Heights.
  Following the separation of the Roman Catholic Church and Polish 
National Catholic Church in 1897, Polish Americans throughout the 
country struggled to find a medium to express their religious beliefs. 
Independent churches soon formed throughout the country to meet the 
needs of the Polish community. Our Savior Parish was founded in 1916 in 
the City of Detroit, the first independent Polish Catholic Church in 
Michigan. Initially, the group focused on helping Polish immigrants 
better acclimate to life in America. The parish established a bilingual 
accredited parochial school, and enrollment reached over 350 students. 
By 1970, increasing membership resulted in the parish relocating to a 
new, beautiful church complex in Dearborn Heights.
  The members of Our Savior Parish continue to give back to our 
community. The church performs an annual Thanksgiving canned-food 
drive, as well as an annual Christmas coat drive. Additionally, each 
Christmas the church hosts an ``Adopt-a-family'' program with the local 
school district. This program provides food, gifts, and most 
importantly, a warm Christmas spirit to those families in the community 
stricken by hard times. Their community work continues throughout the 
year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the 
100th anniversary of Our Savior Parish. For a century now, the members 
of Our Savior Parish have displayed an immense passion and deep 
devotion for improving our community, and we wish them many more years 
of success.

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