78R17506 MDM-D

By:  Deshotel                                                     H.R. No. 1546



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, On June 1, 2003, the congregation of St. Mary 
Catholic Church in Port Arthur is celebrating the centennial of 
this remarkable place of worship; and
	WHEREAS, The church membership is pleased to welcome the Most 
Reverend Curtis J. Guillory as presider and homilist at the 
celebratory mass, which is being followed by a reception, luncheon, 
and fellowship; and
	WHEREAS, Established on January 3, 1903, St. Mary is the 
second-oldest Catholic church in the diocese of Beaumont and the 
oldest in the southern part of Jefferson County; the church has been 
blessed with inspired leadership since its beginning, when the 
Reverend Ed A. Kelly guided the earliest congregants; today, Father 
Oliver Obele is dedicated to providing moral and spiritual guidance 
to the laity; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout the years, this institution has combined 
the qualities of fellowship and reverence, bringing people together 
in faith, friendship, and praise to affirm devotion to God, and in 
so doing, the church has made an immeasurable contribution to its 
community; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Father Obele and the members of St. 
Mary Catholic Church on the joyous occasion of the church's 100th 
anniversary and commend them for playing a pivotal role in the lives 
of generations of Texans; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.