LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish for its
more than 50 years of distinguished service to the Cheektowaga community

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 commending St. Aloy-
sius Gonzaga Parish for its more than 50 years of distinguished service
to the Cheektowaga community; and
WHEREAS, From the time of its establishment, St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Parish has continued to have a tremendous effect on its parishioners and
the Diocese of Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, On March 28, 1940, The Most Reverend John Duffy, Bishop of
the Diocese of Buffalo, asked Reverend Walter Gonter to establish a new
parish serving the northwest portion of the Town of Cheektowaga; this
newly created parish was to be named in honor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga,
the Patron Saint of Youth; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish prospered and
expanded, reaching a high point of 2,400 families with over 900 children
in 1965; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Auxiliary Bishop Pius Benincasa was
appointed as the third Pastor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish by The Most
Reverend James McNulty, Bishop of Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, An outstanding church leader for 21 years, Auxiliary Bishop
Pius Benincasa helped guide St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish into becoming
one of the largest Parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo; as a sign of his
devotion, Bishop Benincasa requested to be buried on the grounds of the
Church; and
WHEREAS, Recently, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish has made physical
improvements to church facilities and has added new seating for the
elderly, as well as further wheelchair accessibility; its church member-
ship has stabilized with current parishioner levels at approximately
2,000 families; and
WHEREAS, Today, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish boasts two energetic
senior citizens organizations, a newly formed parish council, and a
diligent finance committee; it also oversees a Holy Name Society, Altar
and Rosary Society, Home School Association, Scouting Programs, Color
Guard and a Catholic Youth organization; and
WHEREAS, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish members serve their fellow
parishioners as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Choir
Members, and Ushers; in addition, they provide services to others
through the Legion of Mary, Ladies of Charity, Religious Education
Programs, and the Sacred Heart League; and
WHEREAS, Since 1982, this exceptional church community has also had
the assistance of the Sisters of Social Service for tending to the
concerns of parishioners in need; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the past 50 years, the members of St. Aloysius
Gonzaga Parish Family have served the residents of Cheektowaga as a
proud, dedicated, caring and committed church community; and
WHEREAS, Under the illustrious leadership of Monsignor Peter Popadick,
St. Aloysius Gonzaga 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
commend St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish upon the occasion of celebrating its
more than 50 years of distinguished service to the Cheektowaga communi-
ty, 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 Monsignor Peter Popadick, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish.