HR0176 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0176 LRB097 11015 KXB 51833 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation, staff, and Reverend Joseph Tito of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Albany Park on the 100th anniversary of the church; and

WHEREAS, In 1911, a group of lay people petitioned Archbishop Quigley to locate a Catholic church in Albany Park; on May 18, 1911, Archbishop Quigley asked The Reverend H.P. Coughlin to consider the territory that would later become Our Lady of Mercy Parish; on June 1, 1911, Reverend Coughlin became the Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish; and

WHEREAS, The first Eucharist was held at Patrick Henry School on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 1911; and

WHEREAS, The event which was considered the testament to the Parish's livelihood was the baptism of Esther Traynor on June 13, 1911; the baptism was celebrated at the Traynor home because no church had been built at the time; and

WHEREAS, On December 3, 1911, the congregation celebrated their first Mass in the new church; since that time, three churches have been erected to reflect the growth of the congregation; in addition, a rectory, a convent, and other buildings were constructed to fulfill the increasing needs of the church community; and

WHEREAS, A pivotal part of the history of Our Lady of Mercy Parish includes the Sisters of Providence; Father Coughlin asked the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods, located in Indiana, to send sisters to the parish; three sisters responded to the call, and established Our Lady of Mercy School in 1912; and

WHEREAS, 2011 will be a year of celebration for Our Lady of Mercy Parish as they look forward to the future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate everyone involved in the ministry of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Albany Park and wish them continued success for years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Joseph Tito, on behalf of the congregation of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.