LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sister Maureen Joyce posthumously upon
the occasion of her designation for special recognition to be observed
at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Community Maternity Services

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 honor Sister
Maureen Joyce posthumously upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition to be observed at the 40th Anniversary Celebration
of Community Maternity Services; and
WHEREAS, Community Maternity Services, an agency of Catholic Charities
of the Diocese of Albany, is committed to providing a continuum of
services for children, families and pregnant and parenting adolescents;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout her life of service, Sister Maureen Joyce contin-
uously displayed an extraordinary commitment to the vision and mission
of Catholic Charities USA; and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen Joyce's testament to the mission of Catholic
Charities USA, was instrumental in establishing two innovative networks
reflective of the needs of contemporary society; and
WHEREAS, The selfless life of Sister Maureen Joyce touched countless
people including the homeless, the poor, the disabled, the elderly, the
addicted, those affected by HIV and AIDS, and immigrants who needed help
adjusting to life in a new land; and
WHEREAS, The noble and compassionate work of Sister Maureen Joyce
included attending to the needs of pregnant teenagers in the early
1970s, when adolescent pregnancy and motherhood was an uncomfortable,
even unwelcome, subject; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980s, a crusader for social justice and human digni-
ty, Sister Maureen Joyce cared for the babies of HIV-infected mothers at
a time when their needs were often overlooked; she took on the critics
of her distribution of clean syringes to IV drug users in Albany's
neighborhoods to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, Initially, Sister Maureen Joyce was involved with the New
York State Catholic Conference as an expert on the provision of services
to pregnant teenagers; she joined the Council in August of 1990, when
she was appointed Diocesan Director for Catholic Charities for the Dioc-
ese of Albany; in addition, she served as Chairperson of the Council
from 1993 to 1999; and
WHEREAS, Sister Maureen Joyce brought to her ministry an overwhelming
spirit of charity and compassion, having acted from vision and enlight-
enment in conducting her administrative and spiritual duties, while
always displaying the highest standards of personal and professional
integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman of God always gave enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to her care and administered
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 celebrate the life
of that individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sister Maureen Joyce posthumously upon the occasion of her desig-

nation for special recognition to be observed at the 40th Anniversary
Celebration of Community Maternity Services; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sister Maureen Joyce.