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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF SAINT MARY PARISH CHURCH IN EVANSTON ON AUGUST15th 2015 AND PROCLAIMING AUGUST 15, 2015 SAINT MARY DAY IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, on August 15, 2015 Saint Mary Parish in Evanston will celebrate its Sesquicentennial; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary Parish hosted the first Catholic Mass celebrated in Evanston on August 15, 1865 in the open air near what is now the present entry of Calvary Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary Parish was founded on August 15, 1865, on the day that honors the Assumption of Mary; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary Parish is the oldest Roman Catholic Parish in Evanston and was dedicated on May 15, 1892; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary’s Church is located in the Historic Ridge District at the corner of Oak Avenue and Lake street in Evanston, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary’s Church was designated an Evanston Preservation Landmark in 1975 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, March 3, 1983; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary’s School was established in 1874 and merged with the school of Saint Nicholas Parish in 1986 to become Pope John XXIII School of Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas; Saint Mary School was run by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters from its founding. Pope John XXIII has received the United States Department of Education - Blue Ribbon Award for its high standards and excellent academic achievement; and
WHEREAS, under the prayerful guidance of the Cardinal’s Office for Divine Worship and the Parish Building and Renovation Committee, the church was renovated in 2004 to restore it to its former beauty and to address the needs of the rapidly growing parish; and
WHEREAS, as Saint Mary’s celebrate its 150th year, its motto is: “Celebrating 150 Years of Faith and Service”; and
WHEREAS, the faith community of Saint Mary continues to thrive under the leadership of Reverend Gregory S. Sakowicz, Pastor, Reverend Anthony A. Joseph, Associate Pastor and Deacon Dennis Robak; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Mary Parish in Evanston expresses its sincere gratitude for the contributions the church has made to the citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that August 15, 2015 be proclaimed Saint Mary Day in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Saint Mary Catholic Church.end