LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend John J. Bradley upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of the Hope and Hospitality Award
by the Northeast Community of the Sisters of Mercy and the Circles of
Mercy Board of Trustees

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 sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commitment
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 honor
Reverend John J. Bradley upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the Hope and Hospitality Award by the Northeast Community of the
Sisters of Mercy and the Circles of Mercy Board of Trustees, to be cele-
brated on Wednesday, June 12, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Reverend John Bradley graduated from Blessed Sacrament Grade
School in 1955; he later graduated high school from the Vincentian
Institute in 1959, and in 1963, earned a B.S. degree in Economics from
Siena College; and
WHEREAS, On May 20, 1967, Reverend John Bradley was ordained a priest
for the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese at the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception by Bishop Maginn; and
WHEREAS, From June 1967 to November of 1969, Reverend John Bradley's
first assignment was an associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in North
Albany, and Chaplain at Memorial Hospital and the Memorial School of
Nursing; and
WHEREAS, Reverend John Bradley transferred to St. Luke's Parish in
Schenectady and served as associate pastor from November 1969 until June
of 1976; his responsibilities included a Carmelite Monastery and an
elementary school enrollment of over 600 students; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1976, Reverend John Bradley was designated pastor
of Blessed Sacrament Parish and became one of the youngest pastors at
that time; during his pastorship, the church has celebrated its 75th and
100th Anniversaries; Blessed Sacrament has many outreach programs,
including the food pantry, the thrift shop, and support for the elderly,
and youth; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Father John Bradley oversaw the completion of the
addition to the Blessed Sacrament School; in 2000, there was a complete
restoration of the Church building in anticipation of the Parish's 100th
Anniversary in 2002; his active role is connecting the alumni with the
school in order to promote and preserve the school for future gener-
ations; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Reverend John Bradley has served on various
Diocesan Boards; among them, the Priests Personnel Board and St. Anne's
Institute Board, among many other boards, committees and advisory
groups; and
WHEREAS, In the summer of 2010, as a result of the ongoing Diocesan
Pastoral Planning Process, Holy Family Parish was closed, and the
programs and ministries of that community became a special ministry of
Blessed Sacrament; led by Father John Bradley, the change took place in
October of that year and the Church became "The Shrine Church of Our
Lady of the Americas" to serve the Anglo and Spanish communities there;
and

WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Reverend John Bradley's distin-
guished record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this
Legislative Body; 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
honor Reverend John J. Bradley upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Hope and Hospitality Award by the Northeast Community
of the Sisters of Mercy and the Circles of Mercy Board of Trustees; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend John J. Bradley.