Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-03

HONORING SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH ON THE OCASSION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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On 2026-06-03, Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH ON THE OCASSION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY" in the House.

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HONORING SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH ON THE OCASSION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E522] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH ON THE OCASSION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the congregation of Saint Joseph Church in Ansonia, Connecticut in honoring the celebration of their 100th Anniversary. Throughout its history, the church and its congregation have demonstrated a unique commitment to serve the community and ensure that the most vulnerable of our citizens can find comfort and resources in their time of need. Founded in 1925, St. Joseph's has been a spiritual home for Polish immigrants and their families and is one of the Polish American Roman Catholic parishes in New England in the Archdiocese of Hartford. In June 1925, Bishop John J. Nilan appointed Vincentian Fr. Aloysius Zielenznik, C.M., as pastor of the new St. Joseph Parish. With the church itself under construction, the first Mass for the Polish congregation was celebrated on July 12, 1925. at a Central Street Hall rented from an Italian society. Upon its completion the church, which still stands today, was dedicated on September 6, 1926. Ten days later, St. Joseph School opened, staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. As the parish grew in membership, so too did their desire for their church to have a church bell to summon the faithful to church services. In 1950, then church leader Father Casimir Kwiatkowski was passing through Winchester, New Hampshire when he noticed a bell for sale in front of a Protestant church. He immediately made an inquiry and was able to purchase the bell on the spot and for a great price at just under five hundred dollars. The bell was brought back to St. Joseph's and on the occasion of administering the sacrament of Confirmation in the parish on October 14, 1950, Bishop Henry J. O'Brien, D.D., blessed the century old bell and named it Casimir. The bell was rung for the first time on November 1, 1950, the day the dogma of the Assumption was solemnly proclaimed in Rome by Pope Pius XII and it has been fixture at St. Joseph's ever since. Saint Joseph Church has not only been a center for religious worship, but a vehicle through which their members could give back to the community. Our churches play a vital role in our communities--providing people with a place to turn to for comfort when they are most in need. For the last century, Saint Joseph Church has been a treasured landmark in Ansonia. Through their ministry and outreach efforts, they have left an indelible mark on the community and continue to make a difference in the lives of others. Saint Joseph Church gives its members a place to find their spiritual center and to solidify and support their values--a beacon of light and hope for their members and the community. I am proud to stand today and extend my very best wishes to them as they mark this milestone in their history. Happy 100th Anniversary and as we say in Italian, to another hundred--C'ent Anni. ____________________

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HONORING SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH ON THE OCASSION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E522] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH ON THE OCASSION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the congregation of Saint Joseph Church in Ansonia, Connecticut in honoring the celebration of their 100th Anniversary. Throughout its history, the church and its congregation have demonstrated a unique commitment to serve the community and ensure that the most vulnerable of our citizens can find comfort and resources in their time of need. Founded in 1925, St. Joseph's has been a spiritual home for Polish immigrants and their families and is one of the Polish American Roman Catholic parishes in New England in the Archdiocese of Hartford. In June 1925, Bishop John J. Nilan appointed Vincentian Fr. Aloysius Zielenznik, C.M., as pastor of the new St. Joseph Parish. With the church itself under construction, the first Mass for the Polish congregation was celebrated on July 12, 1925. at a Central Street Hall rented from an Italian society. Upon its completion the church, which still stands today, was dedicated on September 6, 1926. Ten days later, St. Joseph School opened, staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. As the parish grew in membership, so too did their desire for their church to have a church bell to summon the faithful to church services. In 1950, then church leader Father Casimir Kwiatkowski was passing through Winchester, New Hampshire when he noticed a bell for sale in front of a Protestant church. He immediately made an inquiry and was able to purchase the bell on the spot and for a great price at just under five hundred dollars. The bell was brought back to St. Joseph's and on the occasion of administering the sacrament of Confirmation in the parish on October 14, 1950, Bishop Henry J. O'Brien, D.D., blessed the century old bell and named it Casimir. The bell was rung for the first time on November 1, 1950, the day the dogma of the Assumption was solemnly proclaimed in Rome by Pope Pius XII and it has been fixture at St. Joseph's ever since. Saint Joseph Church has not only been a center for religious worship, but a vehicle through which their members could give back to the community. Our churches play a vital role in our communities--providing people with a place to turn to for comfort when they are most in need. For the last century, Saint Joseph Church has been a treasured landmark in Ansonia. Through their ministry and outreach efforts, they have left an indelible mark on the community and continue to make a difference in the lives of others. Saint Joseph Church gives its members a place to find their spiritual center and to solidify and support their values--a beacon of light and hope for their members and the community. I am proud to stand today and extend my very best wishes to them as they mark this milestone in their history. Happy 100th Anniversary and as we say in Italian, to another hundred--C'ent Anni. ____________________