1Honoring the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

2WHEREAS, The decree for establishment of Christ the King
3Parish by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, Archbishop John Krol,
4occurred in May of 1963; and

5WHEREAS, The parish officially began on June 18, 1963, with
6the Reverend Arthur Woods as the founding pastor; and

7WHEREAS, Morrell Park and East Torresdale are the parish
8neighborhoods served by Christ the King Parish; and

9WHEREAS, The first mass occurred on Sunday, June 23, 1963, at
10St. Michael's Chapel, Shrine of the True Cross, a novitiate of
11Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, on grounds that are presently
12occupied by Aria Hospital; and

13WHEREAS, During the Christmas of 1965, the first mass of the
14parish church occurred; and

15WHEREAS, In May of 1966, the church and school were dedicated

1and the school opened the following fall, staffed by Sisters of
2St. Joseph and lay faculty; and

3WHEREAS, The Reverends Arthur Woods, Robert McGee, Henry
4Birkhead and James A. Callahan have served Christ the King
5Parish as pastors; and

6WHEREAS, Christ the King Parish currently serves 1,850
7families, 5,500 parishioners and 350 school children in
8preschool to 8th grade classes; and

9WHEREAS, Many parish organizations and ministries exist at
10Christ the King Parish, through which parishioners give of their
11time, talent and treasure; therefore be it

12RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the 50th
13anniversary of Christ the King Parish; and be it further

14RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
15the current pastor of Christ the King Parish, The Reverend James
16A. Callahan, 3252 Chesterfield Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114.