[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA PARISH 
                         IN OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Catherine of 
Alexandria Catholic Parish as they celebrate 50 years of community, 
faith, and service. Throughout their history, the parishioners of St. 
Catherine's have served commendably as a pillar of the Oak Lawn 
community, and I am pleased to honor their 50th anniversary.
  The story of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish began in 
1957, when the Roman Catholic population of the Ranch Manor District of 
Oak Lawn began looking for a new place to worship. They petitioned the 
Archdiocese of Chicago to establish a new church in their area, and on 
August 21, 1957, St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish was canonically 
erected.
  While men in the parish built a chapel and an office, services were 
temporarily held at Brother Rice High School. Through hard work and 
dedication throughout the years, the parish has expanded to accommodate 
the large increase of worshippers. When the parish was dedicated on 
November 23, 1958, the parish facilities consisted of the church and an 
eight-room school for 367 families. Today, there are 12 additional 
classrooms, a convent, and a rectory to serve the 2200 families who 
worship there.
  From their first pastor, Reverend John M. Kane, to their current 
pastor, Father Patrick Henry, the parishioners of St. Catherine's have 
enriched the lives of their fellow citizens by providing community 
outreach, a strong grade school, and an unwavering commitment to their 
faith. The members of St. Catherine's continue to develop their 
community, building gyms, kitchens, and meeting rooms to provide a safe 
environment for area children and a focal point for their community.
  I rise today, Madam Speaker, to commend the hard work, dedication, 
and faith that have characterized the first 50 years of St. Catherine 
of Alexandria Catholic Parish. I am proud to have in the Third District 
such a strong example of the great contributions that Catholic parishes 
and schools make to this country. My prayers and best wishes are with 
the parishioners of St. Catherine's as they celebrate their 50th 
anniversary.

                          ____________________