HR1449 LRB095 22009 KXB 52277 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and
4 congregation of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese as they
5 celebrate the church sesquicentennial; and
 
6     WHEREAS, St. Dominic's history began after German pioneers
7 came to America looking for a better life; in the 1800s some
8 settled in Clinton County in and around Breese; following
9 completion of St. Boniface Church in Germantown in 1856, about
10 70 Catholic families in and around Breese prepared to build
11 their own church; Father J. Fortmann, then pastor of St.
12 Boniface, laid the cornerstone of the new St. Dominic Church on
13 August 2, 1857; and
 
14     WHEREAS, On October 18, 1858, Bishop Henry Juncker, first
15 bishop of Alton, accompanied by the newly ordained Father
16 August Reineke, blessed the new Roman style brick church and
17 Father Reineke was then installed as the first pastor; the new
18 parish included the settlements of Aviston, Trenton,
19 Summerfield, Lebanon, O'Fallon, and Highland; this new brick
20 building was used as the parish church from 1858 to 1868; from
21 1868 to 1902 it was the parish school; and from 1902 to 1964 it
22 was used as a parish hall; and
 

 

 

HR1449 - 2 - LRB095 22009 KXB 52277 r

1     WHEREAS, In 1964 the current parish center was built; and
2 in 1973 the original church building was demolished; and
 
3     WHEREAS, In 2001, a major renovation restored the interior
4 to its original architectural style; a gathering space was
5 created in the entrance, the organ was upgraded, the
6 stained-glass windows were repaired, and the exterior was
7 repaired and renovated; St. Dominic Church was rededicated on
8 May 26, 2002; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Father Patrick Norman Peter has been pastor of St.
10 Dominic Church since 1995; he is only the eighth pastor who has
11 served at St. Dominic over its 150-year history; and
 
12     WHEREAS, The parish is dedicating its sesquicentennial
13 celebration to the early members and priests of the
14 congregation; a number of special activities and events this
15 fall will honor the founders of St, Dominic Church as well as
16 the parishioners and clergy who helped the parish prosper; an
17 anniversary celebration mass will be held on September 28,
18 2008, followed by a reception and formal dinner at the Parish
19 Center; a Heritage Day will be held October 5, 2008, including
20 a German meal, outdoor activities, an antique farm equipment
21 display, and indoor display of historical memorabilia
22 representing the parish and church over the last 150 years;
23 therefore, be it
 

 

 

HR1449 - 3 - LRB095 22009 KXB 52277 r

1     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
3 congratulate the congregation and Father Peter as they
4 celebrate this historic time; and be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 presented to the congregation of St. Dominic Catholic Church as
7 a symbol of our respect.