RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, on August 16, 2014, the Catholic parish of Notre Dame de Chicago will hold its 7th annual August Fest, and will use that event to observe and celebrate the parish sesquicentennial, marking 150 years as shared faith and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed of this milestone event by the Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Notre Dame de Chicago was founded in 1864 by French-speaking immigrants to Chicago, who were seeking a place of worship to share. At first, they convened in basement of Old St. Patrick's church, but later moved to their own building at Harrison and Halsted; and
WHEREAS, in 1887 Notre Dame de Chicago opened its current church building, at 1334 West Flournoy Street. Since that time the modest interior of the structure has undergone at least five renovations to meet the changing needs of the congregation; and
WHEREAS, as Chicago and the near West Side changed, so did Notre Dame de Chicago. The parish is no longer a gathering place of people of one ethnic and linguistic background, but a community that truly reflects its home city. The congregation is composed of people of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic and economic backgrounds, who gather to share their faith through worship, prayer and service to the community and to the city as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Notre Dame de Chicago stands as an example not merely of tolerance of differences but of a welcoming attitude toward all. This is reflected in the parish mission statement, which formally commits the parish to serving the community "through education, social support and cultural respect." The spirit of welcome and embrace is further reflected in goals of its Liturgy Committee, which include "Introduce visitors to Notre Dame"; "Recognize and utilize multiple languages"; and "Familiarize and appreciate multiple cultures and traditions"; and
WHEREAS, its historic location and its embrace of all Chicagoans, regardless of background, have earned Notre Dame de Chicago the title of "The Parish with Heart in the Heart of the City"; and
WHEREAS, the parishioners of Notre Dame de Chicago, their parish staff and their pastor, Monsignor Patrick Pollard, are to be congratulated for the milestone of 150 years, and for the example they provide to all of Chicago; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 30th day of July, 2014, do hereby honor and congratulate Notre Dame de Chicago parish for its 150 years of contributing to the vitality and character of the City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we extend our most profound thanks to the parish of Notre Dame de Chicago for their ongoing presence in and service to our city; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented to the community of Notre Dame de Chicago and to Monsignor Pollard and to as a token of our esteem and appreciation.