LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady
of Pompeii Church in the Village of Lancaster, New York

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 Our Lady of Pompeii Church of Lancaster, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Honoring the day Our Lady of Pompeii Church came into exist-
ence, a centennial Mass will be offered on Saturday, March 14, 2009; the
Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor David LiPuma, who was born and
raised in the area and received all of his sacraments at the church; and
WHEREAS, The concluding centennial celebration will begin with a Mass
on Sunday, May 17, 2009, offered by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec; immediately
following Mass will be a banquet at Salvatore's Italian Garden; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in the late 19th Century, the area surrounding
Laverack and Sawyer Avenues at the Lancaster-Depew village limits began
to flourish with Italian immigrants, who found work with the railroad
lines and factories; in 1908, the Village of Lancaster continued to
improve upon its infrastructure, bringing even more Italian migrants to
the area; and
WHEREAS, Seeking out a parish to practice their Catholic faith, many
Italian immigrants attended St. Mary's on the Hill Church, but this
created a great impediment for the Italians, as Masses were spoken in
Latin and homilies in English, languages unfamiliar to the Italians at
this time; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing this complication, the Reverend J.V. Schaus of
St. Mary's partnered with the Reverend C. Killeen, former pastor of St.
James Church in Depew, in an attempt to create a new parish where the
settlers could hear sermons in their own language; and
WHEREAS, With the aid of diocesan authorities, the plot of ground at
the corner of Laverack and Cowing Street was purchased and built upon,
becoming the modest-sized Italian Mission of St. Mary's with a seating
capacity of 125 people; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Pompeii Church was officially dedicated by Bishop
Charles Colton on March 14, 1909; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Pompeii Church separated from St. Mary's and was
incorporated in 1932; Reverend Leon J. Biernat, current pastor, will
celebrate all the Masses on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, in honor of
the 77th Anniversary of this occasion; and
WHEREAS, On June 12, 1942, Reverend Alfonso J. Bernardo was appointed
the second pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii Church; under his esteemed
leadership, property was purchased across the street from the original
church in anticipation for future expansion; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, a new building was erected, emulating the Italian
shrine of Pompeii; a school and convent were later completed in 1960,
enabling the parish to offer complete religious and educational services
to its parishioners and continues to do so today; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Pompeii Church stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retain-
ing 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 Our Lady of Pompeii Church of
Lancaster, New York, 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 Reverend Leon J. Biernat, Pastor, Our Lady of Pompeii Church,
Lancaster, New York.