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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Houston is |
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celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding on June 28, 2025; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The parish was established by decree of Bishop |
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Wendelin J. Nold on June 26, 1950, and five years later, its school |
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opened its doors to the community; under the leadership of Father |
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John Cummings, congregants initially met at Kashmere Gardens |
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Elementary School; and |
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WHEREAS, The church's current sanctuary was built in 1965 and |
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features a roof in the shape of a capuche, the pointed cowl worn by |
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St. Francis and other monks; the building survived flood damage |
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from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 and from Hurricane Harvey in |
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2017, the latter of which necessitated 19 months of renovations and |
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restorations; parishioners have also endured and overcome |
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hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately |
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strengthened their faith and their resolve to continue serving |
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their neighbors; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally composed of Czech and other European |
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immigrants, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is today a |
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predominantly African American congregation that also includes a |
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number of Filipino and Hispanic families; it is ably guided by |
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Father Martin Eke of the Missionary of St. Paul of Nigeria, and |
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parishioners are committed to upholding their motto "one family, |
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one love" by supporting a number of commendable programs that |
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foster fellowship and offer help to those in need; the parish |
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continues to be civically engaged in the Kashmere Gardens community |
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through such endeavors as hosting a mayoral debate in collaboration |
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with The Metropolitan Organization in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Countless Houston residents have looked to St. |
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Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for spiritual guidance over the |
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years, and it is a pleasure to join in honoring the church at this |
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special time in its rich history; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of St. Francis |
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of Assisi Catholic Church in Houston and extend to its members |
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sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it 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. |