LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Parish upon
the occasion of its designation as recipient of the Outstanding Communi-
ty Service Award by Reaching-Out Community Services on April 28, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious religious institutions within the State of New York whose
focus and intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life
in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor St.
Mary, Mother of Jesus Parish upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award by Reaching-Out
Community Services to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner and Gala at Rex
Manor in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, April 28, 2011; and
WHEREAS, A religious institution of singular distinction, St. Mary,
Mother of Jesus Parish has continually demonstrated extreme competence,
extraordinary compassion and diligent leadership in its unwavering
service to its community and consequently has been designated for this
most prestigious award; and
WHEREAS, St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, is a Roman Catholic Parish which
gathers in worship under the luminous direction of its Pastor Monsignor
Andrew J. Vaccari, and ministers to the spiritual and material needs of
its community; and it is a multi-cultural community which is proud of
its parishioners and the manner in which they fulfill its mission in a
rapidly changing urban environment; and
WHEREAS, On Pentecost Sunday in 1889, the Parish of St. Mary, Mother
of Jesus began its mission of sanctifying and teaching souls; the first
church was a small frame building with a seating capacity of 220 people
but as the congregation increased, the need for a larger church became
more evident; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, a renovated and enlarged church was dedicated on the
Feast of Christ the King and as it entered the 1960s, St. Mary's contin-
ued to grow with over 5,000 families living within its boundaries; and
WHEREAS, In February 1967, disaster struck when a fire started and
spread quickly throughout the wooden frame building; since the damage
was too severe for repairs, the old church had to be torn down; rebuilt
in 1971, Destroyed by Fire, Rebuilt by Love became the slogan of the
parishioners; and
WHEREAS, St. Mary, Mother of Jesus is celebrating the 40th Anniversary
of its new church building in 2011, and is being commended by Reaching-
Out Community Services for the generosity of its parishioners who faith-
fully donate non-perishable foods to help fight hunger in the community;
and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by the
clergy and the parishioners of St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Parish; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tions which enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and
have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have
earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Parish upon the occasion of its desig-
nation as recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award by Reach-
ing-Out Community Services on April 28, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Parish.