[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15400]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF ST. COLMAN PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of St. Colman 
Parish as they gather to celebrate the November 23 feast day of St. 
Colman of Cloyne and honor the trades that built their historic church 
and community.
  Born in Ireland, St. Colman converted to Christianity at the age of 
52. Being quite devout, he quickly became a priest and later a bishop, 
establishing monasteries all over Ireland. St. Colman of Cloyne 
Cathedral in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland sits high above the harbor from 
which most late 19th and early 20th century emigrants departed. The 
cathedral is likely the last thing they saw of their home country. How 
reassuring it was to those immigrants who made their way to Northeast 
Ohio and found their new St. Colman Parish to be a welcoming place for 
worship, education, community celebrations and comfort.
  Founded in 1880, construction began on the current church building in 
1914. With skill, talent and dedication, the men and women in the 
building and construction trades completed the beautiful landmark St. 
Colman Church in 1918. Established in 1912, their Construction and 
Building Trades Council was responsible for some of Northeast Ohio's 
most beautiful structures. St. Colman Parish, in addition to the 
celebration of St. Colman's feast day, is also recognizing the 
contributions of the Constructions and Building Trades Council to the 
City of Cleveland throughout the past 100 years and honoring Executive 
Secretary, Loree Soggs, who is retiring this year.
  Pastor Bob Begin and the parishioners of St. Colman are very giving 
to those in need. Annually, parishioners donate approximately $40,000 
to prevent evictions; provide housing; help to prevent utility 
disconnections; provide bus passes to work or school; pay for tuition 
and books and distribute school supplies. The funds also assist with 
obtaining birth certificates and state IDs, medical prescriptions, 
clothing and uniforms for new jobs and many other emergencies. Church 
volunteers dedicate their time to serving meals and to teaching 
computer, literacy, GED classes and English classes for immigrants and 
refugees.
  The celebration will be held on November 3, 2012 and will be co-
celebrated by Fr. Jim O'Donnell and Fr. Bob Begin, with Bishop Anthony 
Pilla delivering the homily.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing St. Colman 
Parish as they gather to celebrate St. Colman's feast day and honor 
Cleveland's construction and building trades.

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