HR1041LRB100 21866 ALS 39671 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, In 1868, eight families gathered in a 
3newly-constructed, wood-frame building on South Washington 
4Street in Salem, Illinois for the founding of the  St. Theresa 
5of Avila Parish; until then, area Catholics attended mass in 
6nearby Odin; however, with the construction of the new building 
7and the help of assistant pastors from neighboring parishes, 
8mass could be celebrated in Salem; by 1933, the parish had 
9grown to include 46 families; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, In 1938, oil was discovered in the area, and the 
11parish's membership increased to 67 families, which led 
12Belleville Bishop Henry Althoff to appoint Father A.B. 
13Schomaker to the Salem community in the fall of 1939; his task 
14was to "organize a parish and erect a church"; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, The church was built within a year, and Father 
16Schomaker was appointed pastor of St. Theresa of Avila on June 
1727, 1940; the parish continued to grow, which prompted the 
18construction of a school, staffed by the Adorers of the Blood 
19of Christ, in 1954; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Within 15 years, the school had closed; by 1975, 
21parents were concerned about declining religious values and the 
22education of their children, so they petitioned their pastor 
 
 
HR1041- 2 -LRB100 21866 ALS 39671 r

1and the Belleville Diocese to reopen the school; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, At the time of the petition, a large printing firm 
3relocated to Salem, and many of its 1,800 employees were 
4Catholic; in 1976, the school reopened, staffed by three 
5Felician Sisters from Chicago and three lay teachers; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, St. Theresa Parish  is a vital part of the larger 
7Salem community and continues to witness to the Gospel through 
8the celebration of the sacraments, outreach to the poor and 
9marginalized, defense of the dignity of all human life, and the 
10cultivation of moral character and civic responsibility; 
11therefore, be it
  
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
13HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
14applaud and commend the Salem community for their willingness 
15to support the  St. Theresa of Avila parish and school since its 
16founding 150 years ago, and we recognize the parish on the 
17occasion of its anniversary; and be it further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to Father Ben Stern as an expression of our esteem 
20and respect.