HR0425 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0425 LRB099 12093 GRL 34784 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It has come to the attention of this body that the Bishop Creek Community and St. Aloysius Church is celebrating the l50th anniversary of the founding of the parish; and

WHEREAS, The Parish of St. Aloysius in Bishop Creek was officially established in 1865; highlights of the first 100 years of the parish include several noteworthy events; the cornerstone of the first church was laid on April 20, 1865; the cornerstone of the second and present church was laid on April 8, 1893; in 1939, the church was wired for electricity and, in 1954, a parish hall was constructed; the grand opening was celebrated on April 15, 1954; and

WHEREAS, During the past 25 years, the parish has practiced both new and old traditions, including PreCana sessions for couples who wish to be married, Cana Night for all married couples to rejuvenate their marriages and enjoy a night out, and the March for Life for a group of teens and adults from the area to walk in the Right for Life March in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, The St. Isidore Parish Council of Catholic Women is a group that has come together to benefit families and the parish community; the group takes responsibility for cleaning the churches, cleaning the hall, helping with the spring breakfast, making quilts for raffles, and supplying food for families in mourning during funerals; and

WHEREAS, The Ladies Sodality of the Tri-Parish Community combined in January of 2007; the group initiated many new commitments and projects, such as the Appalachian Candy Drive; in 2008, women began sewing stockings for an organization known as Operation Santa; in the past 7 years, over 3,700 stockings have been sent to our soldiers; and

WHEREAS, The parish celebrated the 40th Jubilee for Fr. Sylvano on August 14, 1992; and

WHEREAS, The parish community grew with the consolidation of St. Aloysius Church, Immaculate Conception Church in Dieterich, and St. Joseph Church in Island Grove into a Tri-Parish Community beginning in 1993; the consolidation was finalized in 1995 and the first Tri-Parish confirmation was held at St. Aloysius in March of 1995, continuing the consolidation of the 3 separate churches into one parish family; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1996, the first Tri-Parish Mission was held; the mission was to bring ongoing religious education to members of all three churches and to encourage fellowship and togetherness for the Tri-Parish; in 1999, the Parish Planning Committee was formed to discuss the future needs of the parish after the rapid growth and success of the PSR program; and

WHEREAS, After over a year of planning and preparation, the St. Aloysius Parish Center was completed in September of 2002; this new building housed 8 classrooms, a Director of Religious Education office, restrooms, and a larger auditorium; in 2004, the process of forming one new parish from the 3 separate parishes began; there are now 3 parish halls and 2 churches, but one united parish; and

WHEREAS, On January 9, 2006, the parish hosted a farewell open house for Fr. Edwin Albers; Fr. Albers was the pastor for 13 1/2 years, making him the second longest resident pastor of the parish; on January 17, 2006, Fr. Joseph Carlos was appointed the new pastor; Fr. Carlos continues to lead the parish family today; and

WHEREAS, 2013 began the "Year of Faith", with monthly study sessions beginning in January and ending in October; on September 7, 2014, a balloon release was held during the annual Parish Picnic to kick off the year-long celebration to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Bishop Creek Community and St. Aloysius Church; and

WHEREAS, The core values of the Bishop Creek Community and St. Aloysius Church include upward growth to God in obedience to God's Word, prayer, and worship; inward growth to God through community, discipleship and stewardship; and outward growth to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, After 150 years of ups and downs for the parish, it is clear that what really makes the parish are the hundreds of good, dedicated, self-giving, and religious-minded men, women, and children who cheerfully serve their parish in small and simple ways; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Bishop Creek Community and the members of St. Aloysius Church on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of its founding, commend their dedication and selfless service, and extend our best wishes to them for continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the members of the Bishop Creek Community and St. Aloysius Church as a symbol of our respect and esteem.