LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Elizabeth Rowe-Manning upon the occa-
sion of her retirement after nine years of distinguished service to St.
Vincent de Paul Parish, Albany, New York

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Elizabeth
Rowe-Manning upon the occasion of her retirement after nine years of
distinguished service to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Albany, New York;
and
WHEREAS, At almost 70, Elizabeth "Betsy" Rowe-Manning has led a color-
ful life; through the years, she has held many roles such as teacher,
curator of an art gallery, director of a diocesan office, and parish
life director; and
WHEREAS, A native of Syracuse, New York, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning
attended parochial schools, taught by Sisters of St. Joseph; inspired by
that religious community, she entered the convent in 1964, and served as
an art teacher for fifth- through seventh-graders; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning, affectionately
known as Sister Betsy, earned degrees from The College of Saint Rose in
Albany, and La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and held
the title of Director of Faith Formation in the Herkimer, New York,
area; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, Sister Betsy became the first woman and non-priest
to serve as the Director of the Diocese's Office of Prayer and Worship,
a position she held for a decade; and
WHEREAS, From 1988-2007, Sister Betsy was also the Director of the
Diocesan Office of Ministry Formation and Curator for the Visions
Gallery, an art gallery which operated in the diocesan Pastoral Center
for more than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, In her role as Director, Sister Betsy has been instrumental
in creating requirements and a formation process for candidates who
wanted to become Parish Life Directors, leading parishes without a resi-
dent priest; years later, she successfully completed the process and
became a Parish Life Director; and
WHEREAS, After leaving the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Elizabeth Rowe-
Manning married John "Jack" Manning in 2005; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, then-Bishop Howard J. Hubbard selected Elizabeth
Rowe-Manning for the position of Parish Life Director for St. Vincent de
Paul Church; in this capacity, she did many of the tasks a pastor does
at a parish; and
WHEREAS, Although Elizabeth Rowe-Manning did not celebrate Mass, she
was responsible for the administration of the 750-household parish in a
busy Albany neighborhood; she made sure the buildings and wheelchair
ramps were safe and in good condition, and attended every liturgy,
where, once a month, she offered a 10-minute reflection; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning helped arrange for chil-
dren to receive sacraments, participated in meetings and providing
pastoral care to members of the parish; she also worked with heads of
ministries and with sacramental ministers; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning has been
instrumental in helping the parish grow by about 20 percent; there are
parishioners from more than 40 zip codes who attend Mass each weekend;
and
WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her church
community, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning was the first Parish Life Director to
receive the Reverend Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral Award by the
Ecumenical Capital Area Council of Churches; and
WHEREAS, After her much deserved retirement, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning
will be working part-time at McVeigh Funeral Home in Albany, and looks
forward to finding a new parish to attend; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Rowe-Manning has brought to her ministry an over-
whelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting her administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman of God has always given enlight-
enment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to her care and has
administered 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 Elizabeth Rowe-Manning upon the occasion of her retirement after
nine years of distinguished service to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Alba-
ny, New York, noting her unremitting and compassionate faith and her
exemplary service to God, man, and her community, and extending to her
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 Elizabeth Rowe-Manning.