H.R. No. 2057



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The members of St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Feria 
are celebrating the parish's 75th anniversary on December 3, 2005, 
providing an apt time to reflect on its rich history; and
	WHEREAS, Figuring prominently in the development of the 
parish is St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, which was established 
in 1912 after the La Feria Townsite Company, Inc., donated land on 
which the simple wooden mission church was constructed; the first 
Catholic church in the city, it was officially declared a parish in 
1930 by the bishop of Corpus Christi, the Reverend Emmanuel B. 
Ledvina; that same year, the original structure was destroyed by 
fire, and a new church building was constructed; and
	WHEREAS, Father H. J. Schmidtner served as the parish's first 
pastor, and throughout the past seven-and-a-half decades, the 
congregation has benefited from the leadership of many dedicated 
men and women, including the Benedictine Fathers of Corpus Christi, 
the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, the Reverend Joseph A. Murray, and 
the Reverend Tom Pincelli; moreover, the church has been enriched 
by such organizations as the St. Francis Xavier Altar Society, and 
it has produced 11 priests from its membership; and
	WHEREAS, Under the current pastorship of the Reverend 
Plutarco Belanggoy, and the guidance of the Reverend Parochial 
Vicar Andre B. Kazadi, and Deacon Hugo de la Cruz, the parish 
continues to thrive and serve as a vital part of the La Feria 
community; as members prepare to observe this important milestone, 
it is indeed appropriate to join in celebrating the traditions and 
contributions of this admirable community; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of St. Francis 
Xavier Parish and extend to its parishioners sincere best wishes 
for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the parish as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                         Escobar

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 2057 was adopted by the House on May 
26, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House