LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Our Lady of
Grace Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on September 25,
2011

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
75th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace Church of Brooklyn, New York, to
be celebrated on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at Russo's on the Bay,
Howard Beach, New York; and
WHEREAS, The original formation of what was to become Our Lady of
Grace Church, began with a Mass which was celebrated in a rented store
and officiated by Reverend James Byrnes of Guardian Angel on January 6,
1935; and
WHEREAS, On July 2, 1936, ground was broken for the construction of
our Lady of Grace Church, founded by Monsignor Salvatore Cafiero; in
September of that same year, Father Cafiero celebrated the first Mass at
the new church; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, the Parish School was opened for the first and
second grades under the supervision of the Pallotine Sisters with Mother
M. Aurilla as the first Principal; less than a decade later, enrollment
for the school was well over one thousand students; and
WHEREAS, Today, Our Lady of Grace Church is a vital parish which
offers numerous services, not only to its members, but also to the
surrounding community; the church is host to a number of clubs and
organizations including Alcoholics Anonymous, Boy Scouts of America,
Girl Scouts of America, Faith Formation and the Knights of Columbus, to
name a few; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Grace 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 75th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace Church of Brook-
lyn, New York to be observed on September 25, 2011, 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 Our Lady of Grace Church, Brooklyn, New York.