Senate Resolution No. 52

BY: Senator GOLDEN

COMMEMORATING the 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of
Grace Church, of Brooklyn, New York, on September
25, 2016

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 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace Church, of
Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on Sunday, September 25, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church was founded on
January 6, 1935, when its church community celebrated its first Mass in
a rented store on 348 Avenue X with The Reverend James Byrnes of
Guardian Angel Parish; and

WHEREAS, On June 28, 1935, The Reverend Salvatore Cafiero was
appointed as Our Lady of Grace's first pastor with the authority to
build a church; and

WHEREAS, Our Lady of Grace Church held its first Mass in its new
church edifice in Gravesend, Brooklyn, on September 27, 1936, with
Father Salvatore Cafiero presiding over services; His Excellency, Bishop
Thomas E. Molloy dedicated the building to Our Lady of Grace, and the
first confirmation class with 908 candidates was held; and

WHEREAS, On November 18, 1938, the convent was blessed by Monsignor
Alfonso Arcese, and four Pallotine Sisters were welcomed to the parish,
including Mother Gemma, Superior, Sister Yolanda, Sister Veronica and
Sister Amalia; and

WHEREAS, Due to the congregation's rapid growth, work for an
extension to Our Lady of Grace Church began on August 27, 1940;
subsequently, on December 22nd, the new extension was used for the first
time; and

WHEREAS, In 1951, construction on Our Lady of Grace's school was
started and by September of 1952, the Parish School opened its doors for
the first time to first and second graders under the supervision of the
Pallotine Sisters with Mother M. Aurilia serving as the first principal;
and

WHEREAS, By the 25th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace, the young
parish had grown to such a size that in 1960, its school had well over
1,000 students registered; and

WHEREAS, After the death of beloved Founder-Pastor, Monsignor
Salvatore Cafiero on October 14, 1969, Father Dominic Sclafani was
installed as the new pastor in January of 1970; in October of that year,
both the Parish Memorial and the playground were dedicated in memory of
Monsignor Cafiero; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Father Dominic Sclafani and Our Lady of Grace
parish were honored to give the blessing which opened the February
session of the United States Congress; the year 1981 saw investiture of
Father Dominic Sclafani as Monsignor and a large testimonial dinner to
honor a most valued parishioner, Joseph Veltri; and

WHEREAS, Four years later, Monsignor Dominic Sclafani was honored
with a retirement dinner and on January 2, 1983, Father Dominick F.
Cutrone was installed as the new Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Father Dominick F. Cutrone proved to
many parishioners of Our Lady of Grace that this parish truly is "The
Parish with a Family Tradition"; in the fall of 2000, Father Cutrone
rededicated the Parish Memorial and playground in memory of Monsignor
Cafiero; he retired in January of 2001; and

WHEREAS, On March 25, 2001, Our Lady of Grace celebrated the
installation of its new Pastor, Reverend Thomas F. Leach, who ably
continued his church community's tradition of service until 2016;
currently, Reverend Vincent Chirichella serves as the Pastor of Our Lady
of Grace; and

WHEREAS, Today, Our Lady of Grace Church offers numerous programs
and organizations for the needs of its members, including the Sr. Janes
Pastoral Ministry Program, Faith Formation Office, Widowed Support
Group, Golden Age, Grace Gravesend Athletic Association, Knights of
Columbus, Columbiettes, Italian Club, Teen Group, Youth Ministry Group,
and Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as the Holy Name Society and Catholic
Adults of Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Under Pastor Vincent Chirichella's luminous direction, Our
Lady of Grace Roman Catholic 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 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic
Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be observed on September 25, 2016,
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 Reverend Vincent Chirichella, Pastor, Our Lady of Grace
Roman Catholic Church, Gravesend, Brooklyn, New York.