Senate Resolution No. 4161

BY: Senator SAVINO

COMMEMORATING the 90th Anniversary of Holy Rosary
Parish of Staten Island, 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 ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
90th Anniversary of Holy Rosary Parish of Staten Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1914, Father Catoggio felt it was time that South Beach
should have a chapel of its own; he sought donations from the beachfront
businesses, and from some of the wealthier summer residents; and

WHEREAS, The cornerstone of the chapel bears an August 30, 1914
date, which marked the establishment of the chapel as a mission church
of St. Joseph's Parish in Rosebank; for 13 years, this chapel
faithfully served the community; and

WHEREAS, By 1927, the South Beach community was ready to become a
parish in its own right; the Archdiocese of New York selected "Holy
Rosary" as the name of the new parish; and

WHEREAS, Holy Rosary Church was established as a parish on September
23, 1927, with the appointment of the Reverend Dominic Epifanio, a
native of Italy who had served 27 years as a parochial vicar and Pastor
at Old St. Patrick's cathedral in Little Italy; and

WHEREAS, On August 1, 2013, Father Michael Martine was appointed by
Cardinal Dolan to serve as Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish; and

WHEREAS, Holy Rosary Church 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 90th Anniversary of Holy Rosary 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 Father Michael Martine, Holy Rosary Parish, Staten
Island, New York.