Honor Church 50th Anniversary

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.