05-R 285
2005 -- S 1113
Enacted 05/19/05
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING
THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF OUR LADY OF CZENSTOCHOWA CHURCH
Introduced
By: Senators Raptakis, Blais, Sosnowski, Felag, and Walaska
Date
Introduced: May 19, 2005
WHEREAS,
Rhode Island was founded on the promise of religious freedom, such were
the
hopes and dreams of around fifty polish families, living in Rhode Island in
1901, who had
emigrated
from their native country of Poland; and
WHEREAS,
In the basement of St. John's Church, a newly organized parish, under the
direction
of Father Francis Kluger, celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism on October 10,
1905,
and
their first Mass on October 22, 1905. The church was organized by John Szrek
and Joseph
Olszewski,
who later became the first lay trustees, in order to provide Polish families
living in the
Pawtuxet
Valley area, with a place that they could worship God in their native language;
and
WHEREAS,
On February 12, 1906, the parish, through the dedicated efforts of its
parishioners,
purchased an acre of land in Quidnick. Late in 1906, Father John Nowicki
replaced
Father
Kluger. Work on the parish continued and on April 21, 1907, the newly built
church,
named
Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church, was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Harkins;
and
WHEREAS,
On March 1, 1908, Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church was incorporated
under
the laws of the State of Rhode Island. Over the next two decades the church
thrived and the
congregation
expanded; and
WHEREAS,
In 1927, a few years before their 25th Anniversary, the parish purchased four
acres
of land that included two buildings already on the property. The first building
was
converted
into a school and convent and the second eventually became an annex to the
school;
and
WHEREAS,
By the 25th anniversary of their founding, Our Lady of Czenstochowa
Church
had become a burgeoning religious, didactic and social community; and
WHEREAS,
By 1956, the church's school had overflowing classrooms and a committee
was
established to begin raising funds for the construction of a new school. After
four very
productive
years, the church's new school was dedicated on January 15, 1961. During this
period
of
time, Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church celebrated their Golden Jubilee, which
was the 50th
anniversary
of the dedication of the church building and the 52nd anniversary of the
founding of
the
parish; and
WHEREAS,
Bishop Louis Gelineau celebrated Mass at the parish in 1979. December of
this
year also marked the official beginning of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration
Year. The goals
for
the year included a compilation and publication of the parish's history, a
memorial mass and
parish
banquet and a renovation program. The year was filled with a multitude of
special events
aimed
at enhancing the spiritual and social well being of the parish; and
WHEREAS,
Over the next twenty-five years Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church has
continued
to grow and has seen many new additions and numerous improvements. Currently
gifted
with the outstanding and devout leadership of Father Amaral, the parish
continues to
flourish
and provide for the spiritual needs of the surrounding community; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby
congratulates the congregation and ministry of Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church
on its
100th
Anniversary and wishes them continued spiritual success and many more years of
community
enrichment and service; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
a duly certified copy of this resolution to Father Amaral, Our Lady of
Czenstochowa
Church,
Coventry, Rhode Island.
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LC03363
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