Senate Resolution No. 2928

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Syracuse,
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 the State of New York to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
125th Anniversary of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in
Syracuse, New York; this milestone will be celebrated on July 23, 2017,
with a dinner reception at the Holiday Inn on Electronics Parkway in
Liverpool, New York; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the dinner, the 125th Anniversary Committee
of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is collecting items to be
donated to Helping Hounds and the Brady Faith Center Urban Farm
throughout the month of June; and

WHEREAS, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Roman
Catholic church that was the first Polish parish in the Syracuse
Diocese, and the mother parish of all other Polish churches in the area;
and

WHEREAS, In May of 1892, Reverend Anthony F. Kolaszewski, the
founder of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, visited Syracuse
and witnessed the hunger of the Polish community for a church of their
own; with a committee of four other individuals, Reverend Kolaszewski
petitioned the current Bishop of Syracuse, Most Reverend Patrick Ludden,
for the organization of such a parish; and

WHEREAS, The Bishop agreed to the organization of a parish for the
124 Polish families in the community, and on June 12, 1892, the
organizers of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus met and decided
on the Sacred Heart of Jesus as their Patron; and

WHEREAS, On June 5, 1892, the first mass was offered by Reverend
Anthony F. Kolaszewski at Kelly's Hall at West Fayette Street in
Syracuse; and

WHEREAS, The original church of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus was located on Park Avenue, in a framed two-story structure
constructed on two lots; the cornerstone was solemnly blessed on July
24, 1892, by Bishop Patrick Ludden; and

WHEREAS, In 1903, 15 acres of land for a cemetery was bought on the
west side of the city line under the direction of Reverend Francis
Rusin, who also oversaw the construction of a larger church, since the
original structure could no longer accommodate the growing parish; and


WHEREAS, In 1910, the new church was completed and still exists
today on Park Avenue - serving as the current location of the Basilica
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and

WHEREAS, The former Basilica Church was converted entirely for the
use of a parochial school; 43 years later, in 1953, the parish opened
Sacred Heart Academy, which gave the church the distinct honor of being
the only Polish parish in New York State to have its own high school at
that time; and

WHEREAS, In June 2002, Sacred Heart School closed after educating
children for 110 years; in 2003, the parish began renting the space to
the Syracuse Academy of Science, which eventually bought the school in
2011; and

WHEREAS, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was granted the
title and rank of Minor Basilica, a special papal recognition for
churches that have played an important role in the life of its members;
the decree from Rome was issued from the Holy See on August 27, 1998,
and the title became official on Sunday, October 3, 1999; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has
multiple ministry programs, including altar servers, bereavement, bingo
volunteers, cantors, church decorating, extraordinary ministers, faith
formation, food pantry, greeters, lectors, liturgy, nursing homes,
pastoral council, rite of Christian initiation for adults, sanctuary
care, and ushers; and

WHEREAS, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also offers
several organizations for its community members to participate in,
including its Christian Mothers & Women's Club, Holy Name Society,
Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Rosary Society, and Sacred Heart
Seniors; and

WHEREAS, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus additionally
offers four choirs for its parishioners, which are the I.J. Paderewski
Choir, Polonez Choir, Contemporary Choir, and the Girls' Choir; and

WHEREAS, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 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 125th Anniversary of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus in Syracuse, New York, 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 Andrew Baranski, Rector of the Basilica of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus.