Senate Resolution No. 2623

BY: Senator JACOBS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of St.
Margaret Parish

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, 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. Margaret Parish on December 24,
2016; and

WHEREAS, St. Margaret Parish will be celebrating its Centennial
Anniversary with a myriad of events during the period of September 2016
through September 2017; and

WHEREAS, In the fall of 1916, St. Margaret Parish was founded when
the Most Reverend Dennis Dougherty, Buffalo's fifth Bishop, purchased
nine acres of swampland bounded by Hertel, Linden, Saranac and North
Park Avenues; and

WHEREAS, On December 14, 1916, construction started on the first
church, and within nine days, the small wooden structure was completed;
the first Mass was celebrated the next day, Christmas Eve, December 24,
1916; and

WHEREAS, The Church was named after St. Margaret of Scotland, who
was canonized in 1250, and whose feast day is November 16; and

WHEREAS, As the community grew, the Church's congregation realized
it needed to create a bigger space for worship; ground was broken for
the present church on September 9, 1956 and the first Mass was held on
June 23, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Under Reverend Joseph D. Wolf's able leadership, St.
Margaret 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 100th Anniversary of St. Margaret Parish, 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 the Reverend Joseph D. Wolf, Pastor, St. Margaret Parish.