TITLE: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of St. Mary Catholic Church in Graham.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of St. Mary Catholic Church in Graham.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Graham celebrated the 100th anniversary of their church's founding on September 24, 2022; and WHEREAS, This venerable house of worship can trace its origins back to early 1921, when a group of people met in a home on Plum Street and a priest from Fort Worth celebrated the first mass in Graham; shortly thereafter in 1922, a wooden frame structure with a bell tower was erected on Cherry Street, and the facility served as a mission church for years, with priests coming in from Breckenridge for mass; the present church building was completed in 1965, and St. Mary became a parish of the newly formed Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth four years later; the congregation has experienced steady growth in the ensuing decades, and to meet the evolving needs of its parishioners, several renovations and additions have been made to the church's property; and WHEREAS, Since its founding, St. Mary has benefited from the dedicated efforts of many outstanding clergy, including the Reverend Eugene Nyong, who leads the parish today; united by their shared faith and strong traditions, the members of the church have established a variety of commendable programs that foster fellowship and offer help to those in need; and WHEREAS, Countless Graham residents have looked to St. Mary Catholic Church for spiritual guidance over the years, and it is a pleasure to join in honoring the church at this special time in its rich history; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of St. Mary Catholic Church and extend to its members sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.