Senate Resolution No. 1409

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of St.
Anthony's Church in Lackawanna, New York

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 ethnical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Anthony's Church in Lackawanna,
New York; and

WHEREAS, St. Anthony's Church was established in July of 1917, in a
rented one-story building under the leadership of Reverend Antonio
Clemente; after realizing there was a need for an Italian Church, he
raised funds to buy five lots of land to build the new church; on
December 16, 1917, the dedication of the Church of St. Anthony of Padua
took place with a High Mass officiated by Bishop Dennis Dougherty; and

WHEREAS, On December 5, 1918, the administrator of the Diocese of
Buffalo appointed the Reverend Joseph Vifredo, as the next Pastor of St.
Anthony of Padua, a position he held for 29 years; in this role, he
expanded the church to fill the needs or its ever-growing patrons; and

WHEREAS, In the 1930s, The Holy Name Society of St. Anthony's became
very active as a number of American born men became members; they
reached out to the boys of the Italian community by sponsoring a Boy
Scout Troop and founding a Junior Holy Name Society; and

WHEREAS, As the number of its congregation grew, St. Anthony's was
once again in need of a new church and rectory; on April 16, 1964, the
church moved to a larger location and was dedicated on June 13, 1964,
under Reverend Bilotta; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1998, the diocese of Buffalo decided to merge
St. Anthony's Church of Padua with Queen of All Saints Church;
presiding under Bishop Henry Mansell, a final prayer service took place
at Queen of All Saints Church; with the addition of the patrons from the
previous church, St. Anthony's grew to be a diverse place of worship;
and

WHEREAS, Reverend David Glassmire was appointed to St. Anthony's in
January of 2005; he started a community service project called Hands
Across the Bridge, which helped supply necessary items for those less
fortunate through the Lackawanna Food Pantry; and

WHEREAS, In October of 2008, Sister Barbara Riter was appointed
Pastoral Administrator; under her guidance, the church continues its

ministry of liturgy and outreach to the people of the 1st Ward of
Lackawanna; 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 100th Anniversary of St. Anthony's Church in Lackawanna,
New York, 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
transmitted to Sister Barbara Riter, Pastoral Administrator, St.
Anthony's Church.