LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk
upon the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of his Ordination into the
Priesthood

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reverend
Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk upon the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of
his Ordination into the Priesthood; and
WHEREAS, The son of Helena and Feliks Tokarczyk, Reverend Canon Joseph
M. Tokarczyk was born on February 25, 1954, in Krasnystaw, Poland, and
baptized on June 14, 1954, in the parish of St. Luke in Surhow, where he
also received the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Confirmation; and
WHEREAS, After completing elementary school in Surhow and attending
high school in Tarnogora, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk began
studying theology at the seminary in Lublin, which is considered a
branch of the Catholic University of Lublin; and
WHEREAS, On June 17, 1979, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk was
ordained as a priest by the Archbishop of Lublin, Professor Boleslaw
Pylak, after completing his magisterium in theology; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk began serving in five
parishes in Poland, Swidnik, Hrubieszow, Mircze, Rejowiec Fabryczny and
Czestoborowice, where he taught religious classes and organized pilgri-
mages for young people and adults, as well as folk groups for youth to
join in; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk immigrated to the
United States and spent his first few months assisting at the Churches
of Our Lady of the Assumption in Copiague, New York, and Methodeous in
Greenpoint; he also helped at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church in
Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, After receiving permission from the Archbishop of Lublin to
stay in America, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk was sent by Cardinal
John O'Connor to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at St. Stanislaus Kostak Church, Reverend
Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk spearheaded an increase in Mass attendance,
implemented a Saturday school to learn Polish and English for children
and adults, addressed the structural problems of the 1923 church build-
ing and arranged with the Sisters of Charity Health Care System to
conduct health fairs and administer free full immunization shots for
parishioners; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, the Pulaski Day Parade Committee of Staten Island
was formed and Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk served as the inaugur-
al Grand Marshal, proudly leading a contingent of Polish Staten Islan-
ders up 5th Avenue; he was elevated to the rank of Reverend Canon, a
highly respected honor in the European tradition of the Catholic Church
in 1994; and
WHEREAS, After serving at St. Stanislaus Kostak Church for eight
years, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk was reassigned to St. Joseph's
Parish in Florida, New York, which consisted of St. Joseph's Church, St.
Andrew Bobola Church, St. Joseph's School and St. Joseph's Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, One of the first changes Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk
made when he came to St. Joseph's Parish was to establish a holy hour on
the first Friday of every month with the Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament by reinstating an old church tradition for the celebration of
Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, which
included an outdoor procession; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk added a folk group to the
9:00 a.m. Family Mass in 2001, put into practice a Children's Gospel
Group for the younger children of the parish in 2002 and became the
administrator of St. Stanislaus Church and Cemetery in Pine Island in
2008; and
WHEREAS, A devoted member of the community, Reverend Canon Joseph M.
Tokarczyk is the chaplain for the Florida Fire Department and the Pine
Island Fire Department, a member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as
a participating pastor for the inter-faith services including Memorial
Day and Baccalaureate; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk has brought to his minis-
try an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision
and enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk upon the occasion of the 30th
Anniversary of his Ordination into the Priesthood, noting his unremit-
ting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and
his community, and extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this
Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Canon Joseph M. Tokarczyk.