[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. ____________________