LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Saint
Charles Parish, Staten Island, New York, to be celebrated on May 21,
2010

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, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of St. Charles Parish of Staten Island, New York, to be
celebrated on May 21, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Originally located at 520 Mill Road in Oakwood Beach, St.
Charles Parish, along with Our Lady of Lourdes in New Dorp Beach and St.
Clare's in Great Kills, initially served as missions of St. Patrick's
parish; and
WHEREAS, The St. Charles mission was founded in 1922 by Reverend
Charles J. Parks, pastor of St. Patrick's; in 1958, as a result of the
ever increasing population in the Oakwood area, Monsignor Patrick A.
Gallagher, the pastor of St. Patrick's, initiated the building program
for St. Charles Chapel-Auditorium, and received the authorization needed
to form St. Charles into a separate parish; and
WHEREAS, The building was completed in July 1960 and St. Charles was
canonically proclaimed an independent parish on May 21, 1960, the first
new parish established by Francis Cardinal Spellman on Staten Island;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend John J. Manning was appointed the first pastor of
St. Charles Parish and the first Mass was held on July 10, 1960; the
first assistant pastor was Father Thomas J. Bergin, the congregation's
current pastor; he came to the parish on June 10, 1961; the next pastor
of St. Charles Parish was Monsignor John A. McGowan and he began his
responsibilities on September 23, 1961; and
WHEREAS, As a result of the increasing number of parishioners, along
with the growing number of children, the idea of constructing a parish
school and convent was proposed and a 16 classroom building was imme-
diately approved; and
WHEREAS, Starting on September 9, 1963, students in grades 1-4
attended classes at Monsignor Farrell High School, while the St. Charles
sisters stayed at the former Our Lady Queen of Peace convent, due to
construction of their own facilities; on July 1, 1964, the convent was
opened and on September 14, 1964, 336 children were enrolled in five
grades in their very own St. Charles School; and
WHEREAS, The years to follow proved to be of great success; in 1966,
Reverend Monsignor Robert J. Kelly was named pastor; in 1980, a member
of the parish, Vincent Brigande became the first permanent deacon of St.
Charles; at the age of 75, Monsignor Kelly retired and Monsignor Thomas
J. Gaffney was named the fourth pastor of St. Charles in 1982; under his
leadership, new organizations were formed, new clergy were welcomed into
the parish, and a new wing was added that housed pre-kindergarten,
kindergarten and computer labs; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Monsignor Thomas J.
Bergin, St. Charles Parish stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared
to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spir-
itual 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 50th Anniversary of St. Charles Parish of Staten Island,
New York, to be observed on May 21, 2010, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the pastor, priests, deacons, and parishioners of St. Charles
Parish.