LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 140th Anniversary of Sacred
Heart Parish

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay trib-
ute to those sacred institutions whose historic significance has
contributed to the culture and traditions of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 140th Anniversary of Sacred Heart Parish; this momentous occa-
sion was celebrated on Sunday, October 19, 2014, at Wolfert's Roost
Country Club, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Established on August 5, 1874, the first parish church was a
temporary wooden building at 25 Erie Street, constructed in just one
week by parishioners under the direction of Father Maguire; the congre-
gation assembled there for the first time on August 16, 1874; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, in 1876, the cornerstone of the permanent
Sacred Heart Parish was laid at Walter and North Second Streets; the
church was completed, and dedicated on May 23, 1880; and
WHEREAS, Sacred Heart Parish absorbed St. Joseph's Parish in 1994,
which included the Vietnamese Apostolate; these parishioners immediately
became a vital part of the parish; and
WHEREAS, Sacred Heart Parish has remained important to the community
as it evolved through the years; its former convent is now a veterans
home, and its rectory, now known as Mercy House, is currently used by
Catholic Charities to provide housing to homeless women; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Sacred Heart's Soup Kitchen serves more than
3,000 meals each year, and its Food Pantry assists more than 700 house-
holds; and
WHEREAS, Sacred Heart 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 140th Anniversary of Sacred Heart Parish; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sacred Heart Parish, Albany, New York.