[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE CENTENNIAL OF ST. MARY'S SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH IN 
            SHREWSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Centennial 
of St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The 
Church will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on Saturday, October 7, 
2023.
  The community's roots date to 1895 when the first members emigrated 
from greater Syria to the East Coast, settling around Worcester, 
Massachusetts where many worked in the burgeoning textile mills of that 
time. The early faithful of the church worshipped in their homes in 
their native Syriac language, and eventually gathered enough resources 
to build their first, modest St. Mary's Church on Hawley Street in 
Worcester, MA. More recently, they built a new church and social hall 
in Shrewsbury, MA.
  Mr. Speaker, we must reflect next weekend on the challenges that 
first brought the Syriac immigrants to the United States. Fleeing 
persecution, Syriac Christians found refuge across the U.S. to practice 
their religion freely, while still today their sisters and brothers 
fight for this right in their homeland. We must continue to fight for 
religious freedom domestically and abroad, so that all may feel the 
power of community through our faith.
  Mr. Speaker, the Syrian community thrives today in the greater 
Worcester area, in part thanks to the community-building efforts of St. 
Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church. Thank you to Reverend Father Tony Kasih 
who continues to lead through festival, worship, and service. I am 
proud to celebrate the beautiful displays of faith and community hosted 
by this historic institution.
  The parish of St. Mary's Orthodox Church will celebrate its 
remarkable milestone next weekend with prayer, reflection, a choral 
concert of Aramaic hymns, and a gala dinner. Please join me in 
recognizing the Centennial of St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church next 
weekend.

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