2013-J5357

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Pity Parish, of Staten Island, New York, in September 2014

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2013-J5357


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady
of Pity Parish, of Staten Island, New York, in September 2014

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 Our Lady of Pity Parish, of Staten Island, New
York; the culmination of its year-long Jubilee Celebration will be held
in September 2014; and
WHEREAS, On Christmas Day 1913, Father Louis Riccio, Pastor of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel, opened one of his twelve missions by celebrating
Mass in a private home in Bulls Head, Staten Island, New York, under the
title and patronage of Our Lady of Pity, the Sorrowful Mother; this
out-mission served the Italian residents of the community until Septem-
ber of 1919, when a small prefabricated chapel was dedicated on Summer
Avenue with Our Lady of Mount Carmel as the Mother Church; and
WHEREAS, In the summer of 1923, the Mission became a canonically
established Italian National Parish to serve the many immigrants moving
to Bulls Head; Father John Gallo served as the first pastor until his
return to his native Italy, and his successors have all continued in the
fine work of building this small Italian Mission into the great parish
it is today; and
WHEREAS, City planning for the Staten Island Expressway after the
construction of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge called for a new location
and new buildings, and in May of 1956, Monsignor Ricotti purchased thir-
teen acres of land and oversaw the construction of a new Gym and Recto-
ry; the extra property not mapped out for any projected parish facili-
ties was donated by the parish to the Archdiocese for the furtherance of
Catholic education in Staten Island and it is upon this property that
Moore Catholic High School now stands; and
WHEREAS, The critical need for a Church building was met by Monsignor
Mazziotta who in 1988, saw the dedication of the present Church by John
Cardinal O'Connor; the completion of the Church altars, sanctuary and
chapel were realized under the pastorate of Monsignor Franceschini and
solemnly consecrated by Cardinal O'Connor in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Pity Parish continued to grow over the years,
requiring ever more space to accommodate activities for youth in reli-
gious education, senior citizens, choirs, sports and youth program, and
many societies; in 1998, a state-of-the-arts Parish Center dedicated on
September 9, 1998 and named in honor of John Cardinal O'Connor; and
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Pity Parish 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 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Pity Parish, 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 Our Lady of Pity Parish.

actions

  • 22 / May / 2014
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE
  • 29 / May / 2014
    • REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
  • 29 / May / 2014
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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