Honor St. Anthony's Centennial

Assembly Resolution No. 372 BY: M. of A. Lupardo 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.