LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Blessed Sacrament Parish upon the occa-
sion of its designation as recipient of the Sister Maureen Joyce Distin-
guished Service Award on February 17, 2015

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 is justly proud to honor Blessed Sacra-
ment Parish upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the
Sister Maureen Joyce Distinguished Service Award by the Sister Maureen
Joyce Center to be celebrated at its 3rd Annual Dinner at Wolferts Roost
Country Club, Albany, New York, on Tuesday, February 17, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The Sister Maureen Joyce Distinguished Service Award is given
annually to persons, organizations, and businesses which have demon-
strated commitment to the spirit of the Sister Maureen Joyce Center
through their outreach or advocacy on behalf of the poor and vulnerable;
and
WHEREAS, Established in 1902, Blessed Sacrament Parish has long been a
staple of life in the West End of Albany, and it remains at the center
of an active and generous community of those who support the poor and
vulnerable; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed religious institution also includes the Shrine
Church of Our Lady of the Americas, a special ministry for our Hispanic
Community, as well as parishioners who are from the previous Holy Fami-
ly, St. Patrick's, and Our Lady of Angels Parishes; and
WHEREAS, Blessed Sacrament Parish is committed to meeting the spiritu-
al and material needs of the community; its numerous programs include a
vibrant K-8 school which serves local children, a food pantry program,
and a thrift shop; and
WHEREAS, Blessed Sacrament Parish also owns and maintains St. Casmir's
Convent where a second food pantry is available for its neighborhood
which is operated as part of the Center; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Blessed Sacrament Parish operates the Poverello
Center, a health clinic staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses and
chaplains, which provides high quality care to uninsured adults in the
immediate community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those enduring
religious institutions who 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 Blessed Sacrament Parish upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Sister Maureen Joyce Distinguished Service Award; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Blessed Sacrament Parish.