LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Reverend Gus Graap upon the occa-
sion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the
Catholic Priesthood in the Carmelite Order

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 custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish them-
selves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preemi-
nence of service; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Reverend Gus Graap upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anni-
versary of his Ordination to the Catholic Priesthood in the Carmelite
Order; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 1, 1940, in Mount Vernon, Gus Graap was ordained
in St. Albert's Chapel in Middletown, New York, now the National Shrine
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; his first solemn Mass was celebrated in the
Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown, where he will have an Anniversary
Mass and Celebration on Saturday, June 11, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Father Gus Graap's early ministries were diverse, spending 14
years of his illustrious career working with retreats; when he returned
to Middletown in the summer of 1988, he served as director of Lay
Carmelites, and was deeply involved in planning and moving into the new
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Wawayanda Avenue; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Father Gus Graap began a ministry at Mid-Orange and
Otisville, two state prisons in Orange County from which he retired in
2015; he also has worked at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center
in New Hampton, the Middletown Psychiatric Center, and the Psychiatric
Center in Poughkeepsie; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, for the past eight years Father Gus Graap has
done part-time work at the Richard C. Ward Addiction Treatment Center in
Goshen; and
WHEREAS, Currently a resident at the Carmelite residence in Blooming-
burg, Father Gus Graap celebrates weekend Masses at St. Columba's Church
in Chester, and helps at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown; and
WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, Father Gus Graap has rendered faith-
ful, conscientious and valuable service to the Catholic Church, earning
the admiration, esteem and affection of his congregation, diocese, and
community; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as a spiritual leader, Father Gus Graap
serves with loyalty, honor and distinction, and is governed by a keen
sense of duty and always shows a unique grasp of human problems in his
official acts; and
WHEREAS, Father Gus Graap has brought to his ministry an overwhelming
spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment
in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while always
displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity
and dedication; 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Reverend Gus Graap upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th

Anniversary of his Ordination to the Catholic Priesthood in the Carmel-
ite Order; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Reverend Gus Graap.