HR0300

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and 
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parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Aurora on 
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the 100th anniversary of the parish; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In February of 1909 a petition was presented to 
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Right Reverend Peter J. Muldoon, the 1st Bishop of the Rockford 
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Diocese requesting the establishment of a new parish in the 
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southeastern section of Aurora; and

 
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    WHEREAS, After permission was received, Father Leion 
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Linden was appointed pastor of the new parish; he began his 
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service on April 26, 1909, the feast of Our Lady of Good 
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Counsel; and

 
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    WHEREAS, By the end of September of 1909 a new building was  
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erected, with a seating capacity of 380; Bishop Muldoon led a 
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procession to the new structure and blessed the building; a 
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cornerstone was laid with many items from the time period, and 
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has laid unopened until this year; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1910 two Dominican sisters opened Our Lady of 
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Good Counsel School; in 1911 the first rectory was built and is 
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today the convent; and in 1924 the current rectory was built; 
 


 






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and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1925 the school was expanded and portable 
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classrooms were added; and in 1935 the Good Counsel Credit 
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Union was organized; and
 
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    WHEREAS, After the passing of Father Linden in 1943, 
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Reverend Herman Mellinger came to serve the parish and oversee 
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the building of the current church; Father Sylvester Eye came 
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to Our Lady of Good Counsel in 1960 and oversaw the building of 
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the new school; and
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    WHEREAS, Later pastors included Father Robert Jackson, who 
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moved the old bell to the new church; Father Edward Gillespie 
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served until his retirement in 2001; Father Richard Russo 
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served from 2001 until 2002; Father Dean Russell served the 
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parish until 2006; and current pastor Father David Engbarth 
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began serving in July of 2006; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Father David Engbarth and the parishioners of Our 
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Lady of Good Counsel on their centennial celebration; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Father Engbarth and the parishioners of Our Lady 
 


 






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of Good Counsel as a symbol of  our respect.