HR1346 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1346 LRB099 22184 MST 49549 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the 125th anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph was founded on May 12, 1891 by Slovenian immigrants who came to the area to work in the nearby steel mills and settled along Chicago Street; the founding members wished to celebrate Mass in their own language and culture; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph meets in a historic downtown building; constructed in 1905, it is the church's second home; and

WHEREAS, The members of St. Joseph are active in their community; the church is home to numerous organizations and many of its members volunteer at the Shepherd's Table soup kitchen and for clothing drives; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph continues to grow; five years ago it had a congregation of about 800 families, and as of 2016, that number has grown to 860; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the 125th anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph Catholic Church and wish it many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to St. Joseph as an expression of our esteem and respect.