LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of
Grace Church, of Brooklyn, New York, on September 25, 2016

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace Church, of Brooklyn, New
York, to be celebrated on Sunday, September 25, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church was founded on Janu-
ary 6, 1935, when its church community celebrated its first Mass in a
rented store on 348 Avenue X with The Reverend James Byrnes of Guardian
Angel Parish; and
WHEREAS, On June 28, 1935, The Reverend Salvatore Cafiero was
appointed as Our Lady of Grace's first pastor with the authority to
build a church; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Grace Church held its first Mass in its new
church edifice in Gravesend, Brooklyn, on September 27, 1936, with
Father Salvatore Cafiero presiding over services; His Excellency, Bishop
Thomas E. Molloy dedicated the building to Our Lady of Grace, and the
first confirmation class with 908 candidates was held; and
WHEREAS, On November 18, 1938, the convent was blessed by Monsignor
Alfonso Arcese, and four Pallotine Sisters were welcomed to the parish,
including Mother Gemma, Superior, Sister Yolanda, Sister Veronica and
Sister Amalia; and
WHEREAS, Due to the congregation's rapid growth, work for an extension
to Our Lady of Grace Church began on August 27, 1940; subsequently, on
December 22nd, the new extension was used for the first time; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, construction on Our Lady of Grace's school was
started and by September of 1952, the Parish School opened its doors for
the first time to first and second graders under the supervision of the
Pallotine Sisters with Mother M. Aurilia serving as the first principal;
and
WHEREAS, By the 25th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace, the young
parish had grown to such a size that in 1960, its school had well over
1,000 students registered; and
WHEREAS, After the death of beloved Founder-Pastor, Monsignor Salva-
tore Cafiero on October 14, 1969, Father Dominic Sclafani was installed
as the new pastor in January of 1970; in October of that year, both the
Parish Memorial and the playground were dedicated in memory of Monsignor
Cafiero; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Father Dominic Sclafani and Our Lady of Grace parish
were honored to give the blessing which opened the February session of
the United States Congress; the year 1981 saw investiture of Father
Dominic Sclafani as Monsignor and a large testimonial dinner to honor a
most valued parishioner, Joseph Veltri; and
WHEREAS, Four years later, Monsignor Dominic Sclafani was honored with
a retirement dinner and on January 2, 1983, Father Dominick F. Cutrone
was installed as the new Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Father Dominick F. Cutrone proved to
many parishioners of Our Lady of Grace that this parish truly is "The
Parish with a Family Tradition"; in the fall of 2000, Father Cutrone

rededicated the Parish Memorial and playground in memory of Monsignor
Cafiero; he retired in January of 2001; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 2001, Our Lady of Grace celebrated the installa-
tion of its new Pastor, Reverend Thomas F. Leach, who has ably continued
his church community's tradition of service; and
WHEREAS, Today, Our Lady of Grace Church offers numerous programs and
organizations for the needs of its members, including the Sr. Janes
Pastoral Ministry Program, Faith Formation Office, Widowed Support
Group, Golden Age, Grace Gravesend Athletic Association, Knights of
Columbus, Columbiettes, Italian Club, Teen Group, Youth Ministry Group,
and Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as the Holy Name Society and Catholic
Adults of Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Under Pastor Thomas F. Leach's luminous direction, Our Lady
of Grace Roman Catholic 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 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic
Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be observed on September 25, 2016,
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 Thomas F. Leach, Pastor, Our Lady of Grace Roman
Catholic Church, Gravesend, Brooklyn, New York.