LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Saint Mel's
Roman Catholic Church of Flushing, 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
75th Anniversary of Saint Mel's Roman Catholic Church of Flushing, New
York; and
WHEREAS, As part of this auspicious occasion, a Mass of rededication
will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016, to be celebrated by Bishop
Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, as well as a 75th Anni-
versary Dinner Dance scheduled for Friday, November 4, 2016, at Immacu-
late Conception Center, Douglaston, New York; and
WHEREAS, In February of 1941, Saint Mel's Roman Catholic Parish was
founded in an area formerly served by Saint Luke's Parish in Whitestone
and Saint Andrew Avellino Parish in Flushing; and
WHEREAS, Named after Saint Mel, the nephew of Saint Patrick, Saint
Mel's Parish remained largely undeveloped through the 1940s; once the
population of this part of Queens, New York, started growing, the Parish
expanded from about 100 families to thousands of families of many back-
grounds; and
WHEREAS, From its inception, Saint Mel's Parish has been closely and
intimately linked with the particular Flushing community whose spiritual
needs it serves, and offers Masses in both English and Italian; and
WHEREAS, Built in 1954, Saint Mel's Roman Catholic Church was reno-
vated in 1980 in accord with liturgical requirements of the Second Vati-
can Council, and is being renovated again this summer under the direc-
tion of Reverend Gerard J. Sauer, the Church's current Pastor; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mel's Parish complex includes a school which began in
1960 and serves children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, a
rectory and the Church; and
WHEREAS, As Saint Mel's Roman Catholic Church celebrates its Anniver-
sary, it will continue building upon 75 years of welcoming all gener-
ations, nationalities and cultures to be part of its community, and
valuing each person's contribution of time, treasure and talent; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mel's 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 75th Anniversary of Saint Mel's Roman Catholic Church of
Flushing, New York, 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 Reverend Gerard J. Sauer, Saint Mel's Roman Catholic Church.