SJR49INTRODUCED Page 0 SJR49 NR3GM8J-1 By Senators Coleman-Madison, Coleman, Albritton, Allen, Barfoot, Beasley, Bell, Butler, Carnley, Chambliss, Chesteen, Elliott, Figures, Givhan, Gudger, Hatcher, Hovey, Jones, Kelley, Kitchens, Livingston, Melson, Orr, Price, Roberts, Sessions, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smitherman, Stewart, Stutts, Waggoner, Weaver, Williams RFD: First Read: 01-Apr-25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NR3GM8J-1 03/27/2025 LMG (L)lmg 2025-1413 Page 1 First Read: 01-Apr-25 SJR___ CELEBRATING THE 111TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH. WHEREAS, the churches of our Nation have been an integral part of our history as a people and have had an unparalleled impact in forming and maintaining a stable and just society; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate that we should recognize those venerable religious institutions and their congregations who, through their unflagging capacity for love, dedication of spirit, and faith in God, strive to enrich the lives of people in their communities; and WHEREAS, one such dynamic and historic community of faith is Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama, the members of which will celebrate the church's 111th Anniversary this year; and WHEREAS, officially established in 1914, the Saint Stanislaus Parish began when Rev. Father Paul Klich, a native of Poland who was commissioned by Bishop Edward P. Allen to serve the Polish people of the district, many of whom came to work in the coal and ore mines of the steel mills in Birmingham, offered Mass and held other services in a large frame building provided by the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company; and WHEREAS, upon the transfer of Father Klich to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SJR49 INTRODUCED Page 2 WHEREAS, upon the transfer of Father Klich to Warrington, Florida, the Benedictine Fathers of Saint Bernard Abbey served the people of the Parish from 1911-1923; the Mission was raised to the status of Parish in 1913; in 1915, the building was destroyed by fire, and the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company furnished the people with another place in which to hold services; and WHEREAS, in April 1923, Father Klich returned as Pastor of Saint Stanislaus Parish; he immediately began a building program; the Cornerstone was laid 100 years ago by the Very Rev. William A. Kerrigan in November 1925; Mass was offered for the first time on Easter Sunday, 1926; by 1958, improvements and renovations were very much a necessity, and the parish took the opportunity to erect a much needed Parish Hall; and WHEREAS, today, Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church, belonging to the Diocese of Birmingham, is known to house a tight-knit community that welcomes both locals and travelers with open arms; the church is appreciated for its warm and friendly atmosphere as well as its active role in the community with charity initiatives such as clothes and food donations; and WHEREAS, the combination of the locality's solid sense of community and the church's inspiring spiritual ambiance makes it an ideal place not only for worship, but also for forging meaningful connections and bonds; and WHEREAS, for 111 years, Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church has served as a catalyst for positive spiritual change in Alabama, and the members of this exceptional and 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 SJR49 INTRODUCED Page 3 change in Alabama, and the members of this exceptional and historic congregation should be honored for their exemplary service to the good people of the community; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we join in celebrating the 111th Anniversary of Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church, thanking the good people of the parish for their notable service to the Lord and the State of Alabama, and wishing them much continued success and happiness. 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64