Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Cleo Fields. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
Issued
October 13, 2026
house side of the record
People
1
Linked members mentioned in this section
Legislation
0
No linked legislation in this section
Committees
0
No linked committees in this section
Senate Holds
0
No hold activity linked here
Source Document
Connected Data
People mentioned
1 Helpful Term
Extensions of Remarks
Material lawmakers submit for the official record even when it was not spoken live on the floor.
Source Control
Reader mode is for comprehension. The linked government PDF is the official published source.
Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. CLEO FIELDS
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans of Shreveport, Louisiana, one of the city's historic religious institutions and an enduring center of Catholic faith, education, worship, and community service. Established in 1902, the parish traces its beginnings to Jesuit priests who came to serve the growing Catholic population of Shreveport. In the more than 120 years since, Saint John Berchmans has grown from a local parish and school into the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport.
Shreveport, as new families made the city their home and the need for institutions of worship, education, and community life grew. The Jesuit priests responded by establishing a parish where families could gather for Mass, receive the sacraments, educate their children in the Catholic tradition, and build fellowship. The original parish included both a church and a school on Texas Avenue, and from its earliest years the close relationship between worship and education has been a defining characteristic of Saint John Berchmans.
created the need for a larger and more permanent church. In 1927, the cornerstone of the present church was laid, and the building was completed and consecrated in 1929. It stands as a testament to the faith, planning, generosity, and sacrifice of the parishioners and church leaders who envisioned a permanent spiritual home for generations of Catholics. Its historic design, sacred artwork, stained glass, and religious symbols reflect the rich heritage of the Catholic faith and serve as a visible reminder of the clergy, parishioners, families, and educators who have built and preserved this community.
Catholics have celebrated baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, marriages, ordinations, anniversaries, funerals, and other milestones of faith and family life, binding the Cathedral to the personal histories of countless families throughout Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana. Its ministry has also extended beyond worship through charitable outreach, religious education, pastoral care, family ministries, and service initiatives that address both the spiritual and practical needs of individuals and families. In keeping with the Catholic tradition, education and faith formation have helped prepare young people to become responsible members of their churches, families, professions, and communities.
Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, when Saint John Berchmans was elevated to the status of cathedral. As the cathedral church of the diocese, it became the spiritual seat of the Catholic Church in Northwest Louisiana and a central gathering place for major diocesan celebrations, liturgies, ordinations, and ceremonies. This role extended the Cathedral's reach beyond its own parish and made it a spiritual home for Catholics from communities throughout the region.
generations of priests, deacons, religious educators, teachers, parish staff, ministry leaders, musicians, volunteers, families, and parishioners. Through decades of change in Shreveport, in times of prosperity and uncertainty, celebration and hardship, it has remained a consistent spiritual presence where individuals can seek prayer, guidance, fellowship, and a deeper relationship with God.
mission under the leadership of Reverend Raney Johnson, Rector. It remains committed to reverent worship, Catholic education, faith formation, pastoral care, community outreach, and service, while fulfilling its responsibility as the cathedral church of the Diocese of Shreveport. It is both a treasured historic landmark and a living community of faith, welcoming parishioners, visitors, students, families, clergy, and members of the wider community.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans and its parish family for more than 120 years of faith, education, and service to the people of Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana. May the Cathedral continue to honor the vision of those who established the parish in 1902 and serve generations yet to come.