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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The year 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of the |
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founding of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Longview; and |
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WHEREAS, St. Mary's was built in an effort to meet the needs |
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of Longview's Catholic community, which had outgrown its old |
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downtown church, and in 1982 St. Mary's Parish was formed under the |
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leadership of Bishop Thomas Tschoepe; and |
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WHEREAS, Monsignor John A. Brennan served as the first pastor |
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of St. Mary's, which is ably led today by the Reverend Gavin |
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Vavarek; now a part of the Diocese of Tyler under Bishop Alvaro |
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Corrado, S.J., the church has grown to include a school, sports |
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center, rosary garden with sitting area, labyrinth, walking trail |
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through the piney woods, and a 24-hour chapel; and |
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WHEREAS, Outreach remains a priority for the institution, |
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which hosts such events as the annual Stampede Race and Fun Run, |
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Monsignor Shopka Golf Tournament, Wunderfall celebration, and the |
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annual basketball free throw competition of the Knights of |
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Columbus; and |
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WHEREAS, From its beginnings, St. Mary's has served as a |
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source of fellowship, comfort, and guidance to its members while |
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also ministering to the needs of its community, and the |
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congregation's rich and dynamic history is indeed deserving of |
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special recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate St. Mary's Catholic Church in |
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Longview on its 25th anniversary and extend to all those affiliated |
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with the church sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |