[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14964-14965]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to 
submit into the Congressional Record the history of the Our Lady of 
Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Springfield, Massachusetts, as it 
celebrates its centennial anniversary.
  Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is the focal point of the Italian-
American community in Springfield. I would like to take time today to 
acknowledge this important anniversary and to extend to the 
communicants of the Mount Carmel Church my best wishes for a strong and 
prosperous future.

  The Centennial 1907-2007 History of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman 
                            Catholic Church

       In the late 1800s, the Italian community in greater 
     Springfield, Mass., held religious services in the basement 
     chapel of St. Michael Cathedral. A separate church in the 
     South End, where most of the immigrants had settled, was an 
     increasing need. Bishop Thomas Beaven placed this hope in the 
     hands of the Stigmatine Congregation of Verona, Italy. Frs. 
     Anthony Dalla Porta, first pastor, and Alfred Ballestrazzi 
     came to the United States in May 1906. In 1907, a new Our 
     Lady of Mount Carmel Church was named. The building, seating 
     500 worshippers, cost $35,000. It opened on December 24, 
     1911. Nearly 1,000 families were members of the infant 
     parish. In 1919, five religious sisters, Daughters of Our 
     Lady of Mercy, arrived from Savona, Italy. They opened a day 
     nursery, sewing classes, and children's catechism 
     instruction. The church building was expanded in 1932.
       Stigmatine Fathers William Ludessi, Erminio Lona, Charles 
     Zanotti, Peter Toretta, Paul Zanini, Camillo Santini, Carmen 
     Russo, Richard Scioli, and currently Robert White, have 
     served as pastors.
       Mt. Carmel Church survived the Great Depression, the flood 
     waters of 1936, and the hurricane of 1938. Church societies' 
     fund-raising liquidated all debt by 1946. An elementary 
     school, staffed by the sisters, opened in 1948. In 1959, a 
     second major renovation of the church took place. The parish 
     entered its Diamond years with hope and pride in the future.
       Weekly St. Anthony devotion remains steadfast. In 1991, the 
     new position of Pastoral Minister, open to a qualified non-
     ordained person, was filled by Sister of St. Joseph Elizabeth 
     Matuszek. The quality of education, which the Daughters of 
     Mercy established, has kept the school open as one of

[[Page 14965]]

     five Catholic schools left in Springfield. Its first lay 
     principal was Mrs. Claire Cote, who in 2002, achieved the 
     maximum ten-year accreditation by the New England Association 
     of Schools and Colleges, and opened a Preschool, an after-
     school program, and a computer laboratory. Mrs. Carol 
     Raffaele succeeded Mrs. Cote in 2003, completing its interim 
     evaluation for accreditation. The computer lab went state-of-
     the-art wireless. Library cataloging was computerized, and 
     offices were connected to the Internet. The school developed 
     a web page, www.mountcarmelschool.org. OLMC graduates 
     consistently score in the top percentile in standardized 
     tests. They thrive in high school, college, and beyond.
       In Religious Education for our public school students, 26 
     CCD volunteers have been awarded the diocesan St. Pius X 
     Medal, every year since the inception of this honor. 
     Intergenerational Religious Education began with this 
     Centennial Year Generations of Faith. Families with children, 
     and adult households, came together for religious formation 
     sessions.
       Lay ministry has expanded far beyond our worthy list of 
     certified lectors, special ministers of the Eucharist, choir, 
     and ushers. Women and girls have joined men and boys as altar 
     servers. Qualified laity help prepare candidates for the 
     sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, and 
     Marriage.
       Members continue fundraising efforts in this age of rapidly 
     escalating expenses. Bingo was a lucrative source of funds 
     from 1967 to 1997. The October Taste of Italy became a new 
     social focus and important fundraiser, first held in 1992. 
     ``Bring your best Italian foods to serve at least 100'' was 
     the request. Participants respond to the zealous leadership 
     of Chairperson Rosemarie Costa. Hundreds come to affirm and 
     enjoy the culinary achievements of dozens of Italian cooks.
       Clerical tasks have become computerized. Clubs and 
     Societies remain a consistent base of spiritual, social, and 
     economic vitality. The Women's Guild is an important body of 
     support for the parish. The Ministry of Caring of St. Vincent 
     DePaul extends the Works of Mercy to and beyond our parish 
     parameters. The Men's Retreat League continues its annual 
     weekend at Holy Family Retreat Center in E. Hartford, CT. The 
     parish Knights of Columbus are St. Gaspar Bertoni Council 
     5037. The Holy Name Society hosted the last of its coffee 
     hours in 1999. Youth Ministry proudly donated a $700 
     replacement tree to the church, and sent a contingent to the 
     Catholic Youth Conference in St. Louis in 1996. They donated 
     half their treasury to the Centennial Renovation Fund.
       For the 90th anniversary in 1997, a $300,000 capital 
     campaign restored the slate roof and stained glass and 
     alabaster windows. New entrance doors were installed.
       Centennial plans began in 2002, for spiritual renewal, 
     communications, and a $1.6 million capital campaign for 
     physical renovations. Peter Zorzi of Studio One Architects, 
     of our South End parish neighborhood, said, ``I can't count 
     how many Sundays I sat at 8:30 Mass imaging what I would do 
     to restore this church!'' With well-established competence 
     and experience, Studio One brought us an enduring enthusiasm 
     and a church of renewed beauty. Our gratitude for their 
     services is beyond measure.
       We installed the Verdin Singing Tower Carillon from nearby 
     St. Joseph Church which closed. Its seasonal hymns resound 
     throughout the South End three times daily. All pews were 
     removed for restoration and resizing. Artists Salvatore Degli 
     Atti and Salvatore Rossi of Italy achieved the acclaimed 
     renovations. From St. Polycarp Church in Somerville, which 
     closed, we purchased marble altars and other appointments. 
     Architects redesigned the sanctuary space, completing 
     handicap accessibility.
       Fifty travelers journeyed to Italy in honor of the 
     Centennial. The Communications Committee reached out to our 
     most senior members, inviting those 80 years of age and older 
     to submit memories and photos for the Anniversary Book. 101 
     responded.
       A Mass of Thanksgiving for the Centennial was celebrated in 
     the renewed church on June 10, 2007. Principal Celebrant and 
     Homilist was Most Reverend Timothy A. McDonnell, Bishop of 
     Springfield. A dinner for 700 followed at the Castle of 
     Knights in Chicopee.
       Since the 1907 South End origin of the parish, Interstate 
     highway configuration has dispersed members to many 
     surrounding cities and towns. Blessed with their heritage of 
     Catholic faith, a festive Italo-American spirit, and strong 
     and extended family, Mt. Carmel parishioners remain a vibrant 
     and proud witness to their heritage and faith in 
     Springfield's South End.

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