LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan upon the
occasion of her retirement after 33 years of distinguished service to
the South Buffalo Community Table

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Sister Mary
Celeste O'Bryan upon the occasion of her retirement after 33 years of
distinguished service to the South Buffalo Community Table; and
WHEREAS, For over three decades, the South Buffalo Community Table has
been providing food and fellowship to the hungry and less fortunate
members of its community; the only soup kitchen located in South
Buffalo, the organization serves dinner to hungry people seven days a
week; and
WHEREAS, As a Sister of Mercy, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan has been
ministering to thousands of people for 65 years, all of whom have been
touched by her care, concern and compassionate spirit; and
WHEREAS, Mary Celeste O'Bryan and her 11 brothers and sisters grew up
in Louisville, Kentucky, and then Jamestown, New York, with her loving
parents Paul and Mary Bernadette O'Bryan; the spiritual family attended
daily Mass and prayed together every evening; and
WHEREAS, As a child, Mary Celeste O'Bryan learned about responsibility
and the give-and-take that comes with being a member of a large family;
and
WHEREAS, After entering the Sisters of Mercy in September of 1950
Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan earned her Bachelor's degree in Education
from Medaille College and her Master's degree in Education from Buffalo
State College; and
WHEREAS, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan furthered her education by taking
additional classes at Canisius College, St. Bonaventure University and
Christ the King Seminary; and
WHEREAS, For the next 30 years, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan was
employed in a number of South Buffalo, New York, schools as well as
educational institutions in Holley, Mindanao, Philippines, Jamestown,
Niagara Falls, Olean, West Seneca, Orchard Park and Wellsville, New
York; and
WHEREAS, During a sabbatical, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan volunteered
her time and energies at the St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen on Main
Street in Buffalo; at the same time, she was asked to represent the
Sisters of Mercy at the South Buffalo Ecumenical Association meetings
and discovered that the organization was exploring the possibility of
starting a South Buffalo Soup Kitchen; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1983, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan accepted the
esteemed rank of Director of the South Buffalo Community Table, present-
ly located at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church; after 33 years of dedi-
cated service, she will officially retire from this position in 2016;
and
WHEREAS, Under her luminous leadership, the South Buffalo Community
Table, has grown to be one of South Buffalo's flagship organizations,
serving nearly 20,000 meals every year to the homeless and needy in the
area; and
WHEREAS, For 65 years, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan has left an indeli-
ble impact on all those she serves, helping to make South Buffalo and

all of Western New York an even kinder and more welcoming place to call
home; and
WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to South
Buffalo, Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan was the recipient of the Woman of
Distinction Award; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan has
displayed throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan upon the occasion of her retirement
after 33 years of distinguished service to the South Buffalo Community
Table, and to wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sister Mary Celeste O'Bryan.