[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ST. JOSEPH'S OF STRATFORD NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH AS THEY 
                   CELEBRATE THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2007

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join the Reverend Anthony Kopka, members of the congregation, 
and the Stratford community in extending my sincere congratulations to 
St. Joseph's of Stratford National Catholic Church as they celebrate 
its 100th Anniversary. This is a remarkable milestone for this 
community treasure and I am proud to help them celebrate this momentous 
occasion.
  St. Joseph's was first organized in Bridgeport, Connecticut by a 
group of Polish Catholic immigrants in 1907 and later moved to 
Stratford, Connecticut after building a new church complex. St. 
Joseph's was born out of the congregation's desire to exercise more 
control over their parish. It was important to the Polish congregants 
that their church be led by a Polish priest, services held in Polish--
in all, it was of the utmost importance to the congregants that their 
ethnic traditions and customs be preserved. In an effort to meet these 
needs, the Church became a part of the Polish National Catholic Church 
(PNCC)--a denomination which began in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
  The PNCC blends traditional Apostolic and Catholic teaching with 
American democracy which is governed by a constitution patterned after 
that of the United States. The Church established executive, 
legislative, and judicial branches of government at national, diocesan, 
and parish levels. The result is a democratic Catholicism that among 
other things provides for ownership of parish property by the 
congregation, a voice and a vote for every member in most matters of 
the parish, and the election of parish delegates to meet with clergy at 
synods to elect bishops and determine church policy.
  Since its inception in 1907, St. Joseph's has been an integral part 
of our community and has now grown to its current 300 parish members 
from 20 different Connecticut communities. Our churches play a vital 
role in our communities--providing people with a place to turn to for 
comfort when they are most in need. By strengthening our bonds of 
faith, St. Joseph's gives its members a place to find their spiritual 
center and to solidify and support their values. The members of the St. 
Joseph's have also given much to the City of Bridgeport and the Town of 
Stratford. Throughout the years, as their membership grew so did their 
commitment to the enrichment of our community.
  For 100 years, the St. Joseph's of Stratford National Catholic Church 
has been a fixture in communities of Bridgeport and Stratford. Through 
their ministry and outreach efforts, they have left an indelible mark 
on our community and continue to enrich the lives of others. I am proud 
to stand today and extend my very best wishes to them as they mark this 
milestone in their history. Happy 100th Anniversary!

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