LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of St. Fran-
cis of Assisi Church of Newburgh, New York, to be celebrated on August
15, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
100th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi Church of Newburgh, New York,
to be celebrated with a Centennial Mass and followed by a reception in
the Parish Hall on Saturday, August 15, 2009; and
WHEREAS, St. Francis of Assisi Church was established on August 15,
1909, by the Archdiocese of New York; and
WHEREAS, Father Fabian was the founder, builder and first Pastor of
the parish which was originally built to serve the growing population in
the City of Newburgh and New Windsor; and
WHEREAS, Father Fabian, without any funds or property, gathered a
committee of concerned Catholics from the south side of Newburgh to
petition the Bishop of New York to authorize the establishment of the
new parish; and
WHEREAS, With that approval, but still without money or property,
Father Fabian began to acquire land and contributions to build the first
Church on the northeast corner of Avoca Street and Benkard Avenue; this
building, still in use by the parish, was the site of the first Mass in
1909; and
WHEREAS, The first Easter celebration of the new parish was attended
by 500 people, a strong indicator of the growth potential of the new
faith community; in 1912, the cornerstone was laid for the new Church
which is located on the southwest corner of Avoca Street and Benkard
Avenue; today it stands as the third oldest Church in the Newburgh area
with the oldest original architecture still in use; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the parish continued to grow under the
leadership of Monsignor Ignatius Bialdyga who opened St. Francis School
and later by Monsignor Al Markowski who built a new school and convent;
and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Father John Vondras was appointed pastor and under-
took a major restoration program which is still underway; this program
involved the interior and exterior of the Church as well as the adjoin-
ing properties and buildings; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the faithful leadership of Pastor John J.
Vondras, the parish serves more than 1400 families who call St. Francis
of Assisi Church their spiritual home; at the same time, another 2000
families receive regular food supplies from the parish through the St.
Francis of Assisi Food Pantry; each week more than three tons of food is
distributed by more than 50 volunteers who serve the poor; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the religious education program provides social
and educational programs to about 400 students each year as well as the
parish sports programs; and
WHEREAS, St. Francis of Assisi Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi Church of
Newburgh, New York, to be observed on August 15, 2009, fully confident
that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which
enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to St. Francis of Assisi Church, Newburgh, New York.