HR1449 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1449 LRB095 22009 KXB 52277 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and congregation of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese as they celebrate the church sesquicentennial; and

WHEREAS, St. Dominic's history began after German pioneers came to America looking for a better life; in the 1800s some settled in Clinton County in and around Breese; following completion of St. Boniface Church in Germantown in 1856, about 70 Catholic families in and around Breese prepared to build their own church; Father J. Fortmann, then pastor of St. Boniface, laid the cornerstone of the new St. Dominic Church on August 2, 1857; and

WHEREAS, On October 18, 1858, Bishop Henry Juncker, first bishop of Alton, accompanied by the newly ordained Father August Reineke, blessed the new Roman style brick church and Father Reineke was then installed as the first pastor; the new parish included the settlements of Aviston, Trenton, Summerfield, Lebanon, O'Fallon, and Highland; this new brick building was used as the parish church from 1858 to 1868; from 1868 to 1902 it was the parish school; and from 1902 to 1964 it was used as a parish hall; and

WHEREAS, In 1964 the current parish center was built; and in 1973 the original church building was demolished; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, a major renovation restored the interior to its original architectural style; a gathering space was created in the entrance, the organ was upgraded, the stained-glass windows were repaired, and the exterior was repaired and renovated; St. Dominic Church was rededicated on May 26, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Father Patrick Norman Peter has been pastor of St. Dominic Church since 1995; he is only the eighth pastor who has served at St. Dominic over its 150-year history; and

WHEREAS, The parish is dedicating its sesquicentennial celebration to the early members and priests of the congregation; a number of special activities and events this fall will honor the founders of St, Dominic Church as well as the parishioners and clergy who helped the parish prosper; an anniversary celebration mass will be held on September 28, 2008, followed by a reception and formal dinner at the Parish Center; a Heritage Day will be held October 5, 2008, including a German meal, outdoor activities, an antique farm equipment display, and indoor display of historical memorabilia representing the parish and church over the last 150 years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation and Father Peter as they celebrate this historic time; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the congregation of St. Dominic Catholic Church as a symbol of our respect.