[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14131-14132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. RICHARD PARISH IN CHICAGO, IL

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th 
anniversary of St. Richard Parish in Chicago, IL. This upcoming Sunday, 
the church will hold a celebration to commemorate eight decades of 
community, faith, and service, and I am pleased to congratulate the 
parish on reaching this impressive milestone.
  As the Archer Heights community grew in the 1920s, George Cardinal 
Mundelein of the Archdiocese of Chicago recognized the need for a new 
Catholic parish in the area, and on June 8, 1928, St. Richard Parish 
was established.
  While services were temporarily held in a storefront, men from the 
parish built a church on Kostner Avenue. This type of hard work and 
commitment has been a hallmark of the church's parishioners ever since. 
In 1947 St. Richard Parish School was opened and to this day provides 
an outstanding Catholic education for children in Archer Heights. 
Today, the members of St. Richard Parish continue their dedication to 
the community, building meeting rooms and a new parish center to 
provide a safe environment for area children and a focal point for the 
community.
  From their first pastor, Reverend Horace Wellman, to their current 
pastor, Father Thomas Bernas, St. Richard's diverse group of 
parishioners continue to enrich the lives of their fellow citizens by 
providing the community with outreach programs, a strong school, and an 
unwavering commitment to their faith.
  It is with great honor and privilege that I recognize the 80th 
anniversary of St. Richard Parish, which continues to meet the needs of 
parishioners and the community through liturgies, programs, and 
services. The parish offers spiritual direction, hope, and compassion 
to all of its members. I am proud to have in the Third District of 
Illinois such a vibrant example of the values and good works that can 
be provided by a church with outstanding leadership and committed 
parishioners. May these first 80 years be only the beginning.

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