[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS ROMAN CATHOLIC 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2012

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
the 90th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in 
Bristol, Pennsylvania.
  St. Thomas Aquinas Church was built in 1922 as a place for working 
men and women of Southeast Pennsylvania to gather to pray. Funded by 
the generosity of the local community and the Archdiocese of 
Philadelphia, Fr. Nolan founded this parish to unify the communities of 
Croydon, Bristol, and Bensalem.
  St. Thomas Aquinas Church was named after the 13th century Sicilian 
theologian. A prominent member of the Dominican Order, St. Thomas 
Aquinas revolutionized philosophy, modern political theory, and ethical 
morality. Many consider his most notable work, Summa Theologica, to be 
one of the foundations of the Catholic faith and modern theology. His 
contributions to intellectual thought have allowed him to become the 
patron saint of academics and Catholic schools.
  Although St. Thomas Aquinas Church has struggled through some 
setbacks in the past few years, the current pastor, Fr. Mike Davis, has 
made it his mission to unify the community. By recommitting his church 
to its original mission, Fr. Mike has rallied his parishioners to 
persevere through the recent closing of their elementary school, and 
unveil a major renovation effort to improve their facilities. Completed 
solely by the parishioners themselves, the new refurbishments not only 
update the facility's technology, but also display beautiful religious 
paintings and depictions from history.
  As we look back on the past 90 years of commitment and service to the 
communities of Bristol and Croydon, I only hope that the future 
continues to bring more prosperity to St. Thomas Aquinas Church. I am 
proud to stand with Fr. Mike, his parishioners, and the members of my 
district in celebrating the 90th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas 
Roman Catholic Church.

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