LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Monsignor David L. Cassato upon the
occasion of receiving the Religious Community Service Award from the
Council of Neighborhood Organizations Inc. on June 3, 2010

WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the
State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being
of our communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commit-
ment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the
wisdom of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Monsignor David L. Cassato upon the occasion of receiving the Religious
Community Service Award from the Council of Neighborhood Organizations
Inc. (C.O.N.O.) at its 26th Annual Dance to be held on Thursday, June 3,
2010, at Sirico's Caterers, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn on September 2, 1947, Father Cassato
attended Holy Family Elementary School and Saint Joseph's Preparatory
School in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, After high school, Father Cassato attended Cathedral College
of the Immaculate Conception and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Philosophy; he then went on to Our Lady of the Angels Seminary and
earned his Master of Divinity degree; and
WHEREAS, Father Cassato was ordained a priest on May 27, 1972; his
first mass was celebrated at Holy Family, the same parish where he once
attended school; he was then appointed to Saint Rita's in Long Island
City, where, as Assistant Pastor, he had an active part in the develop-
ment of many parish programs; and
WHEREAS, During his esteemed tenure at St. Rita's, Father Cassato
developed a diversified youth program, a drop-in center for teenagers, a
summer camp program for youngsters, a retreat program for young adults,
and various activities for senior citizens; he also performed regular
visits to shut-ins in the parish and was an active participant in commu-
nity affairs; and
WHEREAS, After 13 years of service at Saint Rita's, Father Cassato was
selected to become Administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel located in
Williamsburg/Greenpoint; less than a year later, he accepted the posi-
tion as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and his installation Mass
took place on December 1, 1985; and
WHEREAS, As the new pastor, Father Cassato soon took into account what
his priorities were to be and immediately began to revitalize the good
will and enthusiasm of the parishioners; and
WHEREAS, The most difficult task set before Father Cassato was to
close Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, a process that had begun before
his arrival at Mount Carmel; however, he vowed to the parishioners, he
would do everything he could to have the school reopened in the future;
and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Father Cassato had succeeded in his
original challenge, namely, to put a positive tone to the parish and
restoring a sense of happiness, joy and enthusiasm for the church and
the faith; and
WHEREAS, As a result, on Monday, April 25, 1988, Father Cassato was
notified that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II had made him a Domestic
Prelate of Honor "Monsignor"; and
WHEREAS, On September 8, 1992, Monsignor Cassato was able to perfect
his promise to his parishioners by opening Mount Carmel Academy, a

middle school, serving the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, with a full
academic schedule including Italian; and
WHEREAS, In January 1998, a dialogue between St. Vincent DePaul School
and Mount Carmel Academy began; it was decided that a merger of the two
schools would be in the best interest of all; in September of 1998,
Monsignor Cassato assumed responsibility of St. Vincent DePaul School
and in September of 1999, Northside Catholic Academy was born with
grades pre-K to 5 at the St. Vincent Site and grades 6 to 8 at the Mount
Carmel site; both locations were under the direction of Monsignor Cassa-
to, who was actively involved in much of the school community; and
WHEREAS, On September 14, 1998, Monsignor Cassato was appointed Admin-
istrator of the Parish of Annunciation; it was firmly believed that
Monsignor Cassato was just the right person to bring new life to this
great parish; under his direction, a Spanish Mass was begun, and after
about a year, the Spanish speaking community of Mount Carmel joined the
newly forming community of Annunciation; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Cassato also initiated a religious education
program, providing catechesis in English and Spanish at Annunciation and
he was instrumental in forming a partnership between Annunciation and
Mount Carmel; today, the two parishes work more closely and worship
together at Corpus Christi and Pentecost; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Monsignor Cassato was appointed New York City
Police Chaplain on June 16, 2001, and in November of 2001, he was
assigned as Pastor to the parish of St. Athanasius in Bensonhurst,
Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Cassato earned a Master of Science degree in Educa-
tion with a focus on Administration and Supervision from Mercy College
in May of 2002; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Cassato has brought to his ministry 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 professional 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 Monsignor David L. Cassato upon the occasion of receiving the
Religious Community Service Award from the Council of Neighborhood
Organizations Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Monsignor David L. Cassato.