[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        100TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS CATHOLIC CHURCH

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to extend my 
congratulations to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, 
MI, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Since its inaugural mass 
on September 20, 1908, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church has been 
devoted to serving the many diverse needs within the Grand Rapids 
community, and I am pleased to join in celebrating this important 
milestone.
  In the late 1800s, as the Italian-American population in Grand Rapids 
continued to grow, there began an earnest search within this immigrant 
community for a place to worship that would respond to their specific 
needs. Led by Father Salvatore Cianci and without a formal structure in 
which to conduct mass, the congregation was established and gathered in 
the basement of St. Andrew's Cathedral in Grand Rapids in 1908 to 
celebrate its first mass. With this mass, the congregation of Our Lady 
of Sorrows began their spiritual journey by seeking to minister to the 
roughly 75 families that lived in the area at the time.
  During the early part of the 20th century, Our Lady of Sorrows 
Catholic Church continued to grow and to establish a presence in the 
community. Throughout both the Great Depression and World War II, they 
worked diligently to create a permanent residence for their church 
community. The church initiated fundraising efforts to help support the 
purchase of a permanent location, as well as to support their many 
community outreach efforts. After nearly 40 years in temporary 
locations, their determination and persistence was rewarded with the 
dedication of the new church structure on April 14, 1957.
  Through the many challenges and changes the church and the larger 
community endured, Our Lady of Sorrows has remained committed to its 
church family. The Grand Rapids parish is presently home to more than 
250 families of diverse backgrounds, including a growing Hispanic 
population. During their distinguished 100-year history, they 
established an elementary school; constructed a new convent, rectory, 
and church; and established a local scholarship for anyone living 
within the boundaries of the parish. Today, the church serves as an 
example of an inclusive community and has reached out to people of 
diverse backgrounds, facilitating an appreciation for different 
cultures.
  Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church is truly an important part of the 
rich history of Grand Rapids. Their influence and service to the 
community is apparent to the many that have benefitted from the 
church's spiritual and outreach efforts. I know my colleagues join me 
in congratulating Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on 100 years of 
dedicated service to the Grand Rapids community, and I wish them much 
success as they embark on another 100-year journey.

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