LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Father John J. Bradley upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition by Assisi in Albany, to be
celebrated on Friday, June 7, 2013

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 bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Father John J. Bradley upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Assisi in Albany, to be celebrated on Friday, June 7,
2013, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Assisi in Albany serves as a lay advisory board to support
the Franciscan mission in the center city community of Albany; and
WHEREAS, Father 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, Father 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, Father John Bradley transferred to St. Luke's Parish in Sche-
nectady and served as associate pastor from November 1969 until June of
1976; his responsibilities included a Carmelite Monastery and an elemen-
tary school enrollment of over 600 students; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1976, Father 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 on 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 in future gener-
ations; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Father 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, Father John Bradley's distinguished
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 Father John J. Bradley upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by Assisi in Albany; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Father John J. Bradley.