LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Church
of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary Our Lady of Czestochowa, to be cele-
brated on Sunday, September 26, 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
100th Anniversary of the Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary Our
Lady of Czestochowa, to be celebrated on Sunday, September 26, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In the years 1908 and 1909, St. Mary's Parish was a temporary
Mission of Holy Trinity Parish in Utica, New York; it was established
for the Catholic people of the Village of New York Mills and for all
Catholics of Polish descent from the surrounding vicinity; originally
there were about 200 families in the Parish; and
WHEREAS, In 1910, the Church was designated as a Parish by the Most
Reverend Patrick Ludden, Bishop of Syracuse and administered to the
Priests of Holy Trinity Parish; Reverend Stephen Plaza was appointed as
the first resident Pastor; and
WHEREAS, On July 1, 1994, Father Valentine C. Krul, became pastor of
St. Mary's, his home parish; he was baptized, received his First
Penance, First Communion and Confirmation at St Mary's; he also arrived
the day St. Mary's school closed which was a very difficult time for the
parish and their new pastor, but The Holy Spirit prevailed and the
people continued on in the love of Christ; and
WHEREAS, When Father Krul arrived at St. Mary's, he consulted with
Mrs. Linda DePhillips, who was then the Director of St. John the Evan-
gelist Nursery School in New Hartford; they discussed as to whether a
nursery school would be feasible at St. Mary's and the conclusion was
that St. Mary's Nursery School would open in September 1994 under the
direction of Mrs. Linda DePhillips; the school began with 21 students
and two teachers; and
WHEREAS, Since September of 2008, the school has become a full-time
program with an all day nursery school program offered for children 18
months to four years of age; currently, the afterschool program is for
children ages five through twelve; and
WHEREAS, On September 9, 2007, a Unity Celebration was held, to
acknowledge the past and welcome the future of two parishes; the cele-
bration began at Sacred Heart Church with a Mass followed by a motorcade
which proceeded to the new Church of the Sacred Heart & St. Mary, Our
Lady of Czestochowa, where music welcomed the procession with songs such
as "City of God"; the motorcade was escorted by the New York Mills and
Yorkville Police and Fire Departments; and
WHEREAS, When the procession arrived at the parish Church the Mayor of
New York Mills, Robert Maciol, welcomed the newly formed community to
New York Mills; the tabernacle, sanctuary lamp, statues of the Sacred
Heart, Our Lady Queen of Victory and the crucifix from Sacred Heart were
enshrined in their new church building; the celebration of the Eucharist
continued and Father Valentine Krul now serves as pastor of the newly
formed parish- Church of the Sacred Heart & St. Mary, Our Lady of Czes-
tochowa; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary
Our Lady of Czestochowa has offered numerous programs and activities in
addition to its worship services; and

WHEREAS, The Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary Our Lady of Czes-
tochowa stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the chal-
lenges 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 100th Anniversary of the Church of the Sacred Heart and
St. Mary Our Lady of Czestochowa, fully confident that this commem-
oration 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 the Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary Our Lady of Czes-
tochowa.