LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 90th Anniversary of St. Anselm
Roman Catholic Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on Friday,
April 20, 2012

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
90th Anniversary of St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church of Brooklyn, New
York, to be celebrated at its Anniversary Dinner Dance on Friday, April
20, 2012, at Gargiulo's Restaurant, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Founded in April of 1922 by Bishop Molloy, the first pastor
of the new parish of Saint Anselm was Father James J. Smyth; three names
as parish patrons were suggested, including Sacred Heart, Epiphany, and
Saint Anselm; the dedication to Saint Anselm was chosen because other
parishes had already been established in the Diocese bearing the first
two titles, and this was a way of honoring Bishop Molloy's alma mater,
Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire; and
WHEREAS, Father Smyth purchased the current Fourth Avenue parish prop-
erty on May 23, 1922, as an ideal central location for the church; addi-
tional land was donated and the first Mass with over two hundred people
in attendance was celebrated in the parlor of the residence of Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Fitzgerald on Sunday, June 4, 1922, at the corner of 81st
and Colonial Road; and
WHEREAS, St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church 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 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 90th Anniversary of St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church of
Brooklyn, New York, to be observed on Friday, April 20, 2012, 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 a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church of Brooklyn, New York.