Senate Resolution No. 2664

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of St. Thomas
Aquinas Parish of Buffalo, New York

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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish of
Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the storied history of New York State, there
have emerged among its noble institutions certain houses of worship
which have become distinguished through their spiritual leadership and
commitment to service, and therefore warrant special recognition; and

WHEREAS, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish of Buffalo was founded in 1920,
with Father Eugene Regan serving as the first head of the parish; and

WHEREAS, The first church structure was completed in July of the
same year, an era which saw tremendous growth in the surrounding
neighborhood, with many new residents migrating to Buffalo from Ireland;
a schoolhouse was constructed soon thereafter to serve the needs of the
burgeoning community; and

WHEREAS, Several years after its inception there were plans for the
construction of a larger church building to replace the 1920 structure;
these plans were put on hold due to the Great Depression and World War
II; and

WHEREAS, In 1945, a building fund was created, and ground was broken
four years later on the new St. Thomas Aquinas Parish; this new church
was designed in the Spanish Mission style, was constructed of limestone
and crab orchard stone, and featured tile roofing, large arched
openings, and a large rose window; and

WHEREAS, The new St. Thomas Aquinas Parish building was completed in
1951, serving as a major landmark on Abbott Road in South Buffalo;
furthermore, an addition to the school was completed in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Today, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish continues to serve
Catholic families in Western New York under a partnership with St.
Martin of Tours, also located in South Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend William J.
Quinlivan, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish 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 sense of this Legislative Body to now take note
of this venerable institution which has so long endured, bringing the
commemoration of this most significant milestone, its 100th Anniversary,
to the attention of all of the people of this great Empire State; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish of
Buffalo, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend William J. Quinlivan, St. Thomas Aquinas
Parish, Buffalo, New York.