Senate Resolution No. 976

BY: Senator STAVISKY

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Saint John
Vianney Catholic Church

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
50th Anniversary of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church on June 24, 2017;
and

WHEREAS, Saint John Vianney Catholic Church was established in 1967
to accommodate the growing number of people of the Catholic faith living
in downtown Flushing; 20 years later, it expanded its ministry to
include the increased Spanish-speaking parishioners by adding a mass in
Spanish; and

WHEREAS, Seeking to meet the needs of the changing face of Flushing,
in January of 2006, Saint John Vianney Catholic Church welcomed the
Chinese community of Our Lady of China Chapel to the parish; the Chinese
congregation became a vital, active addition to the work of the parish
under the leadership of Reverend Antonius Ho; and

WHEREAS, Ministering to its culturally diverse flock of 1,100
members, the parish now has masses in Cantonese, Mandarin, English,
Spanish and, for major occasions, a tri-lingual mass; and

WHEREAS, With over two hundred newly baptized members in the past
five years, the ever-growing Saint John Vianney congregation holds many
community-oriented activities each year including: Lenten Soup Suppers,
Our Lady of She-Shan Procession through the local streets, an
anniversary dinner, Flea Market, and the annual Catholic Appeal to raise
money for the work of the diocese; and

WHEREAS, Helping its members grow in faith and community, Saint John
Vianney Catholic Church offers a Religious Education Program including:
Children's Sunday School, Youth Group, Rosary Society, Bible Study,
choirs, Ming Yuan Family, and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, as
well as a Leisure Club for Seniors; and

WHEREAS, Proud of its multi-ethnic growth and ministry to a
culturally diverse neighborhood, Saint John Vianney Catholic Church has
the distinction of being home to the first Chinese Knights of Columbus
chapter in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Saint John Vianney 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 50th Anniversary of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church,
to be observed on June 24, 2017, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reverend Antonius Ho, CSJB; Reverend Victor Cao, CSJB,
the Parochial Vicar; and Mr. Jack McGreevey, the Permanent Deacon.