LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Father James Cesta upon the occasion
of the 40th Anniversary of his service as a priest, to be celebrated on
May 18, 2014

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Father James
Cesta upon the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of his service as a
priest, to be celebrated with a Special Anniversary Mass on Sunday, May
18, 2014, at Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica, New York; and
WHEREAS, Father James Cesta has brought to his ministry an overwhelm-
ing spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlight-
enment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while
always displaying the highest standards of personal and professional
integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, Father James Cesta, whose home parish is Our Lady of Pompei
Church in Syracuse, New York, received his seminary education at Wadhams
Hall Seminary College in Ogdensburg, and St. Bernard's School of Theolo-
gy and Ministry in Rochester, New York; and
WHEREAS, He was ordained on May 18, 1974, and his first appointment
was as associate pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in Rome, New
York; in his long and distinguished career as a priest, Father James
Cesta has ministered to several congregations in New York State; he has
served as associate pastor at Holy Family Church in Fairmont, St. Rose
of Lima Church in North Syracuse, St. Agatha's Church in Canastota,
Blessed Sacrament Church in Syracuse, and Our Lady of Good Counsel in
Endicott; and
WHEREAS, In 1996 Father James Cesta was appointed pastor of St.
Joseph's Church in Oswego, where he served for 13 years until July 2009,
when he was named temporary administrator of St. Mary of Mt.
Carmel/Blessed Sacrament in Utica; in January of 2010, he was named
pastor for St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Father James Cesta upon the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of
his service as a priest, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith
and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and extending
to him the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future
of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Father James Cesta.