LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of The Daugh-
ters of Divine Charity

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
100th Anniversary of The Daughters of Divine Charity; and
WHEREAS, The Daughters of Divine Charity arrived in the United States
on October 9, 1913, at the request from Bishop Joseph; and
WHEREAS, In 1920, The Daughters of Divine Charity formed the first of
what would be three American provinces; St. Joseph Province was formally
recognized by the Congregation and Mother Kostka Bauer was named the
first Provincial Superior of the newly formed Province; and St. Joseph
Hill Convent was the seat of the provincial government; and
WHEREAS, The Daughters of Divine Charity started in Akron, Ohio, on
August 18, 1943, when four sisters arrived to work with Croatian immi-
grants who made their living in the Pittsburgh Steel Mills; the St.
Mary Province was established in Akron, Ohio, in 1950; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, a series of meetings were held and it was
decided to create a new province in the Midwest, Holy Trinity Province;
Sisters who came from the Midwest were each given the choice to remain
as a member of the St. Joseph Province, or to become a member of the
newly formed Holy Trinity Province; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, Holy Trinity Province was formally established and
Sister M. Jerome Veres was named its first Provincial Superior; and
WHEREAS, At the urging of Sister Lucyna Mroczek, the three provinces
merged into one with Sister M. William McGovern named the first Provin-
cial of the new Province beginning January, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Sisters Josita, Hyacinthe, Antoinette and Mary served on the
Provincial Council, Sister M. Regina became the Provincial Secretary,
and Sister M. Charlotte was named the Canonical Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, The Holy Family Provincialate is located at St. Joseph Hill
Convent, Staten Island, New York, and the Holy Family Noviatate is at
Leonora Hall, Akron, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, The Daughters of Divine Charity established that Sisters from
the former St. Joseph Province own and manage St. Mary's Residence in
New York City; while the building is very different, it is this same
facility that Sister Kostka and Mother Valaria began in 1913; in addi-
tion, the Sisters operate St. Joseph Hill Academy, a premier educational
facility on Staten Island, educating children from pre-school to high
school graduation; and
WHEREAS, The Daughters of Divine Charity 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 The Daughters of Divine Charity,
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 The Daughters of Divine Charity.