[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 670-671]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT PATRICK PARISH

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 25, 2013

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Saint 
Patrick Parish in Chatham, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 125th 
Anniversary in January of 2013.
  The Township of Chatham gained a local, stable Irish population in 
response to the terrible potato famine in Ireland, in the 1840s.

[[Page 671]]

These Catholic families picked up and settled in Chatham, regularly 
attending mass in a local Madison Parish. However, these immigrants 
decided they needed a local parochial school for their children since 
all other options were deemed to be too far. The St. Patrick Catholic 
School was incorporated in 1875, followed by the completion of a new 
building for parishioners in 1887, marking the birth of the St. Patrick 
Parish. After renovations due to fires in the early 20th century, the 
Parish built a new church in 1955. As the church continued to grow, it 
decided to establish a new Parish Center in 1989 which would house a 
rectory, convent and youth ministry in addition to providing resources 
for program expansion. This center, in 2009, was named after the late, 
beloved Father Hinds.
  The demographics of the once predominantly Irish church have grown 
significantly to include members of many different heritages such as 
Italian, Polish, Asian, and Hispanic that reside in Chatham. The 
parishioners have also begun several ministry programs such as 
Environmental Stewardship, Christmas in a Box, Basket Bonanza, Cooking 
at Eva's Village in Paterson, and a Health Ministry providing 
information and assistance. The church is also very well known for its 
annual social events consisting of a St. Patrick's Day Celebration, an 
Oktoberfest Celebration, and a ``Breakfast with Santa'' that aim to 
bring families and friends together to enjoy the holidays. With the 
help of Msgr. Tom Coletta, St. Patrick Parish has become a sister 
church to Our Lad of Victories Parish in Paterson. The Catholic places 
of worship have garnered a shared spirituality through combined Masses, 
retreats, ministry training, and youth activities.
  St. Patrick Parish is recognized as one of the strongest religious 
institutions in Morris County. Having encountered much adversity 
through the years, the members of the Parish have always been able to 
guide themselves through the hardships with their strong bond of 
community and unwavering faith. The St. Patrick Catholic School has 
provided the Chatham Catholic community with an excellent opportunity 
to obtain education and faith for young men and women of the community.
  Former St. Patrick pastors: Bishop Dominic Marconi of Newark, 
Monsignor Ronald Amandolare, and Monsignor John J. Carroll frequently 
celebrate mass with the church to honor its parishioners and their 
departed, good friend Father Edward Hinds. This collaboration has been 
led by current pastor, Father Robert Mitchell. The contagious, 
unbreakable connection can be defined by Father Mitchell's description 
of the members of his parish: ``All who find a home at St. Patrick's 
share a common bond that unites them through joys and sorrows, 
challenges, surprises and the success and failures of life. This makes 
real the wisdom of our founding members and the generosity of those who 
followed.'' Through this message, the community has built long-lasting 
relationships.
  Mister Speaker, I ask you and your colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Saint Patrick Parish as it celebrates its 125th 
Anniversary.

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