2019 -- H 5379

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LC001419

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING AND THANKING THE CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL THE

ARCHANGEL ON 160 YEARS AS A VITAL SPIRITUAL AND SERVICE CENTER FOR

THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH PROVIDENCE AND LARGER RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Almeida, Vella-Wilkinson, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Established in June of 1859, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel has

served the people of South Providence and the larger Rhode Island community for 160 years; and

     WHEREAS, From its inception, the community of St. Michael's has been a place of

welcome for people from all over the world from its early Irish and Western European members

to today's multicultural, multilingual community that is a reflection of the diversity of

Providence; and

     WHEREAS, The commitment and mission of St. Michael's is in keeping with Rhode

Island's earliest values of inclusion, acceptance, respect for difference, religious tolerance and

celebration of our common humanity; and

     WHEREAS, Since its beginnings, St. Michael's has been a social justice-oriented parish.

Initially serving the Irish and Western European immigrant populations who were often pushed to

the sides and margins of society, St. Michael's parishioners have always come together to identify

needs, solve problems and grow stronger together. This tradition has continued through the years

for and with all the new groups who have come to the community and persist today; and

     WHEREAS, As an immigrant community, St. Michael's has long responded to the day-

to-day needs of its members and the larger community in a number of ways from direct service to

advocacy, by formation of nonprofit groups which have since gone on to independently address

specific needs, and through ongoing collaboration with other agencies and faith organizations;

and

     WHEREAS, The Church of St. Michael the Archangel is recognized by placement on the

National Register of Historic Places and its iconic structure has long been a symbol of refuge and

hope to the community; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates and thanks the Church of St. Michael the Archangel

on its 160 years as a vital spiritual and service center for the people of South Providence and

larger Rhode Island Community; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rev. Robert Perron, Pastor of the Church of St.

Michael the Archangel.

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LC001419

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