83R5756 JWI-D
By: Sheets H.R. No. 663
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For 60 years, families of St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Church in Dallas have joined together to celebrate their
faith; and
WHEREAS, The history of St. Thomas Aquinas parish begins in
1947, when St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School opened its doors;
soon after, young Father John T. Gulczynski began working toward
establishing a parish for the East Dallas community; in 1952,
Bishop Thomas K. Gorman established the parish and appointed Father
Gulczynski both monsignor and pastor; St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic
Church, with its striking Gothic architecture, was officially
dedicated in 1957 and has since played a vital role in the
community, providing area residents with myriad opportunities for
spiritual growth, fellowship, and community outreach; and
WHEREAS, The congregation of nearly 4,000 families has
benefited from the able leadership of a number of dedicated
priests, and today that tradition of service continues under the
direction of Father John Libone, with the assistance of Deacons Ken
Reisor, Rick Harrington, and Edward Leyden and Father Vic
Bartolotta, who is the newly appointed parish catechetical leader
and youth minister; and
WHEREAS, St. Thomas Aquinas parish has long contributed to
the East Dallas community, and countless area Catholics have found
spiritual inspiration and guidance there; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature commemorate the 60th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Church and extend to its parishioners sincere best wishes
for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the parish as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.