Senate Resolution No. 1992

BY: Senator AKSHAR

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of St.
Anthony's Parish of Padua Catholic Church in
Endicott, 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Anthony's Parish of Padua
Catholic Church in Endicott, New York, to be celebrated at a special
Prayer Service on Thursday, June 8, 2017; and

WHEREAS, On September 21, 1913, the Most Reverend John Grimes,
Bishop of Syracuse, placed the Reverend Matthew Pelligrini in charge of
the Italian parish of Binghamton and Endicott; the first Mass for
parishioners was celebrated at St. Ambrose Church; and

WHEREAS, The need for an Italian parish on the North Side of
Endicott became increasingly evident, as it happened in many Italian
communities throughout the United States; in 1914, a committee of North
Side Italians inaugurated the idea of a new church by taking up a
collection for a building fund; and

WHEREAS, In July of 1916, Father Rocco Macchiaverna was appointed as
first Pastor of St. Anthony's Church, and the construction of the
building began the following spring; when the church became incorporated
in 1916, there were approximately 350 predominately Italian families in
the area; and

WHEREAS, In 1917, St. Anthony of Padua began as a parish for Italian
immigrants to maintain their Italian traditions; and

WHEREAS, As the number of Church parishioners grew, St. Anthony of
Padua added social societies for their local communities, including the
St. Cosmas and Damian Society, Addolorata Society and St. Anthony Club,
Children of Mary Sodality, St. Anne's Society, and Parish Council as
well as numerous committees for the Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1931, the Church added a rectory and a C.Y.O; throughout
the next decades, they added a Recreation Center in 1945, St. Anthony's
School in 1961, a Convent in 1965, a Preschool Nursery in 1975 and St.
Anthony's Outreach Center in 1998; and

WHEREAS, St. Anthony's hosts Feast Days, a three day festival, which
attracts thousands of visitors every summer; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Father James P. Serowik, St.
Anthony of Padua is now an ethnically diverse family, striving to best
use the vitality of its youth, the talents of its adults, and the wisdom
of its senior members to follow their religion and apply it to their
everyday lives; 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 St. Anthony's Parish of Padua
Catholic Church in Endicott, 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
transmitted to Father James P. Serowik, St. Anthony's Parish of Padua
Catholic Church.