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Honoring 50th Anniversary of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish

12/05/2007

HON. DANIEL LIPINSKIOF ILLINOIS
Honoring 50th Anniversary of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007

 

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish as they celebrate 50 years of community, faith, and service. Throughout their history, the parishioners of St. Catherine's have served commendably as a pillar of the Oak Lawn community, and I am pleased to honor their 50th anniversary.

The story of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish began in 1957, when the Roman Catholic population of the Ranch Manor District of Oak Lawn began looking for a new place to worship. They petitioned the Archdiocese of Chicago to establish a new church in their area, and on August 21, 1957, St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish was canonically erected.

While men in the parish built a chapel and an office, services were temporarily held at Brother Rice High School. Through hard work and dedication throughout the years, the parish has expanded to accommodate the large increase of worshippers. When the parish was dedicated on November 23, 1958, the parish facilities consisted of the church and an eight-room school for 367 families. Today, there are 12 additional classrooms, a convent, and a rectory to serve the 2200 families who worship there.

From their first pastor, Reverend John M. Kane, to their current pastor, Father Patrick Henry, the parishioners of St. Catherine's have enriched the lives of their fellow citizens by providing community outreach, a strong grade school, and an unwavering commitment to their faith. The members of St. Catherine's continue to develop their community, building gyms, kitchens, and meeting rooms to provide a safe environment for area children and a focal point for their community.

I rise today, Madam Speaker, to commend the hard work, dedication, and faith that have characterized the first 50 years of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish. I am proud to have in the Third District such a strong example of the great contributions that Catholic parishes and schools make to this country. My prayers and best wishes are with the parishioners of St. Catherine's as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.