Senate Resolution No. 1782

BY: Senator RITCHIE

CONGRATULATING The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh upon
the occasion of celebrating the 60th Anniversary of
his Ordination to the Priesthood on May 30, 2019

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 custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition 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
congratulate The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh upon the occasion of
celebrating the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on
May 30, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Vincent T. Freeh was one of 13 children born to Charles and
Catherine Freeh in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; after attending a high
school in Geneva, Illinois, that prepared students for the priesthood,
he studied philosophy and theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in
Shelby, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, On May 30, 1959, Father Vincent T. Freeh was ordained into
the priesthood, and later studied psychology at DePaul University in
Chicago, and journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee; and

WHEREAS, Known as Father Vince, he served as editor of a monthly
mission and family magazine for four years before going to Papua, New
Guinea, in 1963, where, for a 20-year period, he engaged in pastoral
ministry, education, health, village and economic development and
leadership training; and

WHEREAS, While in New Guinea, Father Vince was involved in work with
a central elementary school, a girls' vocational school, a training
college for midwives and infant welfare nurses and a health center; he
also founded a technical training school for young men, focusing on
on-the-job training for students and also acted as liaison for the
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Colombia for nine years; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1988, Father Vince served as pastor at Our
Lady of Sacred Heart parish in Watertown, until in 1997, he was
appointed director of the Sacred Heart Retreat and Renewal Center in the
Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, Father Vince returned to the north country to
continue his work on The Mary's Gate program, with the help of his
nephew, John J. Freeh, Jr., promoting the idea of strengthening the
family through faith and a focus on cultural values; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work as a missionary and priest, Father
Vince is also a practiced automotive mechanic and heavy machine
operator, an electrician, and a welder; in addition, he holds an amateur
radio license and a pilot's license, and plays the guitar and writes
poetry; 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
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh upon the occasion of
celebrating the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on
May 30, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh.