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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Zachary Parker 4
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Councilmember Anita Bonds 8
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A CEREMONAL RESOLUTION 13
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 16
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To recognize St. Francis de Sales Church and the church’s 120th year anniversary. 20
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WHEREAS, St. Francis de Sales Church, located at 2101 Rhode Island Avenue N.E. in the 22
Langdon community in Ward 5, is pastored by Father Brian Sanderfoot; 23
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WHEREAS, the first parish church was built in 1908 on the foundation of the Queen’s Chapel 25
with history dating back to 1722 for Catholic worship; 26
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WHEREAS, the current church has been on Rhode Island Avenue, N.E. since 1927 when the 28
congregation moved to allow for growth and be closer to the streetcar line; 29
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WHEREAS, for several generations the Sunday morning service has been serviced by dedicated 31
Gospel musicians including long-times friends of the parish and voices drawn from its predominantly 32
African-American congregation; 33
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WHEREAS, from 1946-2008 the church educated thousands of students from both the parish and 35
the larger community at the St. Franics de Sales K-8 Catholic grade school; 36
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WHEREAS, through the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, St. Francis de Sales Church serves more 38
than 100 meals to homebound and other underserved community members, even during recent times of 39
shutdown; 40
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WHEREAS, since the mid-1970s St. Francis de Sales Church has hosted weekly meeting for 42
Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon; 43
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WHEREAS, the St. Francis de Sales Church’s food pantry operates monthly and distributes both 45
fresh and frozen food as well as canned and boxed goods to both existing and new clients; 46
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WHEREAS, the annual Christmas celebration committee distributes toys and gift cards to dozens 48
of families with children and senior households; and 49
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WHEREAS, the St. Francis de Sales Church “Green Team” works closely with the District of 51
Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment to capture thousands of gallons of rainwater and 52
relieve water runoff into the Anacostia Watershed through its comprehensive system of rainwater and 53
permeable pavement on its campus. 54
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IT IS HEARBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that 56
this resolution may be cited as the “St. Francis de Sales Church 120
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Anniversary Recognition Resolution 57
of 2024”. 58
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates the St. Francis de Sales 60
Church on the occasion of its 120
th
anniversary for its outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to 61
its members and the community. 62
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the 64
District of Columbia Register. 65