Extensions of Remarks 12103 Extensions of Remarks Bishop Alfred L
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
April 25, 1977 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 12103 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS BISHOP ALFRED L. ABRAMOWICZ: to Our Lady of Czestochowa on the oc white and red stripes. The gold crown 34 YEARS AS A GREAT SPIRITUAL casion of 1,000 years of Christianity in of fteurs-de-lis expresses in simplified LEADER Poland. Polish-Americans from through form the famous painting enshrined in out the United States attended this tre the Basilica at Czestochwa. The crown mendous event hailing the Mother of honors the Blessed Virgin as patroness HON. JOHN G. FARY God, as a Queen of Poland and our Pro of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary, OF ILLINOIS tectress with the celebration of a Pon where the bishop studied for the priest tifical Mass held at Soldier's Field in hood. and Immaculate Conception IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chicagoland, and celebrated by His Ex parish, South Chicago, where he was Monday, April 25, 1977 cellency John Cardinal Cody, Archbishop first assigi1ed as -:t priest. Mr. FARY. Mr. Speaker, during the of Chicago; assistant celebrant being The bishop's motto is included in the last district work period I had the the Most Reverend Bishop Wladystow arms: "Cartas Christi Urget Me"-the pleasure to meet with a man who has Rubin, D.D.S.-Titular Bishop of Scrta love of Christ impels me. It is adapted given much of himself to the city of and Auxiliary Bishop of Gmiezno, and from Saint Paul's Second Epistle to the Chicago and to the services of God delegate for Polish refugees in exile with Corinthian: "For the love of Christ im that man is the Most Reverend Bishop headquarters in Rome, Italy, as well as pels us" <II Cor. 5: 14-15). Alfred L. Abramowicz, D.D.S. being a special envoy representing Pope The processional cross and tasseled hat Bishop Abramowicz is presently serv Paul VI for this occasion. behind the shield are symbolic of his ing as the executive director of the On May 2, 1968 he was appointed by office of bishop. Priests of every rank, Catholic League for Religious Assistance Pope Paul VI to be Auxiliary Bishop of traditionally, have been reprec;ented in to Poland, in addition to holding the Chicago-Titular Bishop of Paistum, heraldry by the clerical hat placed over position of archdiocesan consultor. He is consecrated on the Feast of Corpus their escutcheons; the color of the hat, pastor of Five Holy Martys Parish at Christi, June 13, 1968, by His Eminence and the number of rows of tassels on 4327 South Richmond Street in Chicago, John Cardinal Cody, at the Sacred Heart the hatstrings, denoted the rank of the as well as being a truly meritorious Chapel, Quigley Seminary South in Chi wearer. For a b~shop. the hat is green bishop for this great city. cago. and has three rows of tassels on either Bishop Abramowicz has been a spirit His Excellen :y was assigned pastor of side. ual leader in Chicago for over 34 years. Five Holy Martyrs Parish on July 14, It was inspiring to see the many ac Born in Chicago on January 27, 1919 of 1968 and serves in this capacity to this complishments of this humble man as the late Adolph and Victoria, nee day. svmbolized in his family coat-of-arms. Fukaczewski, Abramowicz, he was bap Bishop Abramowicz is also cochairman Much can be understood through these tized in the same church where he is now of a nationwide campail!n to save the dramatic and be:mtiful symbols, but to pastor. American Shrine honoring our Lady of truly understand the spiritual leadership Bishop Abramowicz attended St. Pan Czestochowa located at Dovlestown, Pa., of Bishop Alfred L. Abramowicz one cratius Parish Elementary School, pur some 60 miles from Philadelphia. would have to know him. Only then is suing prepatory studies at the Quigley American Catholics are distressed and thv understanding of this compassionate Prepatory Seminary. He then matric Polish Catholics are shocked by the news and devoted spiritual leader complete. ulated at St. Mary of the Lake Major of the danger that the shrine might be I am honored that I have the exciting Seminary, Mundelein, Ill., where on lest because of its burdened finances. So privilege of knowing Bishop Alfred L. May 1, 1943 he was ordained into the far Bkhop Abramowicz has, thru a vigor Abramowicz, and have this opportunity priesthood by his Eminence Samuel ous financial campaign, been able to keep to share his tributes with my colleagues Cardinal Stritch. the shrine from closing. in the House, for Bishop Abramowicz is The Shrine of Our Lady of Czesto truly a great son of Chicag.~ as well as a He was appointed assistant pastor at powerful spiritual leader. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed chowa has become deeply rooted in Polish Virgin Mary Parish in South Chicago in heritage, a source of spiritual solace and 1943 being transferred to St. Helen's uplifting to hundreds of thousands of pil Parish where he served until 1949. grims, from all over the country worship Father Abramowicz was then assigned pers come to this Shrine of Mary, Queen NEWARK CHERRY BLOSSOM to pursue post graduate studies at the of Poland and Patroness of the United FESTIVAL Gregorian University in Rome-July 7, States. 1948 to June 1951, where he received his Mr. Speaker, during my visit with His HON. PETER W. RODINO, JR. Licentiate of Canon Law Degree. In Excellency he explained to me the mean OF NEW JERSEY 1951 he returned to Chicago where he ing of his family crest which I found continued his work at the Matrimonial most informative and which I would like IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tribunal until 1968, residing at the Holy to pass on to you, my colleagues. The Monday, April 25, 1977 Name Cathedral. coat of arms of the Abramowicz family Mr. RODINO. Mr. Speaker, on numer On December 16, 1959 he was nomi consists of a blue shield bearing a silver ous occasions at this time of year I have nated Papal Chamberlain. On July 4, horseshoe with crosses. For Bishop enjoyed the memorable experience of 1960 he was elected executive director of Abramowicz these ancestrial arms have walking through Branch Brook Park in the Catholic League for Religious Assist been kept intact, ex ~ept for the addition Newark, and appreciating the glory of ance to Poland and has continued to of several features which make the new cherry blossoms in full bloom. Over 3,000 serve with admirable dedication in this coat of arms personal to him. Japanese cherry bossom trees comple office. One such addition is the heart of the ment the park, and this year my home He was nominated officialis of the gold diagonal band which symbolizes the district will hold its second annual Matrimonial Tribunal in December of bishop's work of charity as executive Cherry Blossom Festival to focus atten 1966, where his compassion and insight director for the Catholic League for Reli tion on their magnificent flowering dis into marital problems earned him the re gious Assistance to P·~land. There is also plays. spect of everyone, and in March 1968, he the open book which represents years The appreciation of natural beauty is was appointed archdiocesan consultor of learned service contributed as a mem only one aspect of this enriching celebra in which capacity he still serves. ' ber and later as officials of the matri tion, for the festival is an affirmation During the summer of 1966 the then monial tribunal of the Archdiocese of and renewal of the faith of the people Most Reverend Monsignor Alfred L. Chicago. of Newark in their city. The 2-week event Abramowicz was chairman of the execu The chief, or upper section of this includes such cultural highlights as: tive board, during observance of the lovely shield displays the colors of the "Live Theater for Children," at the great spiritual renewal of the vows made Polish flag, horizontally divided into Newark Public Library; a "Cherry Bios- 12104 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS April 25, 1977 som Photo Exhibit," at Prudential In and single persons would be eligible to The Committee is concerned that the Army surance Co.; an organ concert at the participate in this program. In addition, may be taking an unnecessary risk in the XM- 1 program by terminating development Old First Church, as well as contempo utility stamps would be available to both of the diesel technology before the turbine rary music performed by the Twentieth homeowners and renters. engine has fully proven itself. Century Ensemble, at the Newark Mu This legislation would make use of seum; in addition to the opening of the existing HEW programs and would not The committee pointed out further City Without Walls Art Gallery, and create a new Federal bureaucracy. The that: an AAU-endorsed marathon "Cherry Secretary would delegate responsibility It remains an unproven system. Blossom Run." The festival will culmi for the certification of eligible house The committee stated further that: nate with an Arbor Day ceremony on holds and issuance of coupons to States It believes that it would be prudent to April 29, at which time 10 new cherry choosing to participate in the program. continue development of this engine as an blossom trees will be planted for the I am hopeful that Congress will real in-house project ... until the turbine has enjoyment of future generations. Addi ize the need to insure that ali Americans been certified to assure its availab1lity tionally, the renowned Newark Boy's have adequate utility service for their As a matter of fact, the Army re Choir will present a spring concert pre homes and promptly approve this quested the substantial sum of $29 mil pared especially for the occasion.