Political Quotes

“I rise paying tribute to Saint Mary's Catholic Parish in historic Old Town Alexandria. Tomorrow, September 30, 1995 marks a true milestone, its 200th anniversary. Saint Mary's stands as the oldest Catholic church in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Saint Mary's has called Alexandria home for two centuries and is an institution whose presence has extended over many generations. The actual parish was founded in 1795 at a time when the seeds of Catholicism were just planted: Virginia was home for only 200 Catholics at the turn of the eighteenth-century. Led by Colonel John Fitzgerald, then the Mayor of Alexandria and military assistant to General George Washington, Saint Mary's was erected. In 1869, the Sisters of Holy Cross School pioneered Saint Mary's School, which is still in existence and filled to capacity. The Reverend Stanley Krempa currently serves pastor to Saint Mary's, which boasts a membership of over 3,200 families. Its 'church family' is fervently committed to taking on the twenty-first century with great energy and zeal. Saint Mary's family not only intends to expand, they are preparing for tomorrow, today: the church just successfully concluded an amazing fundraising drive that will build not only classrooms for the school, but assists with other renovation efforts associated with the church. I join the many friends and families in wishing well to Saint Mary's Catholic Parish.”