Honor Reverend Freeh’s 60th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1782 BY: Senator RITCHIE CONGRATULATING The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh upon the occasion of celebrating the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on May 30, 2019 WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of service; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh upon the occasion of celebrating the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on

May 30, 2019; and WHEREAS, Vincent T. Freeh was one of 13 children born to Charles and Catherine Freeh in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; after attending a high school in Geneva, Illinois, that prepared students for the priesthood, he studied philosophy and theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Shelby, Ohio; and WHEREAS, On May 30, 1959, Father Vincent T. Freeh was ordained into the priesthood, and later studied psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, and journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee; and WHEREAS, Known as Father Vince, he served as editor of a monthly mission and family magazine for four years before going to Papua, New Guinea, in 1963, where, for a 20-year period, he engaged in pastoral ministry, education, health, village and economic development and leadership training; and WHEREAS, While in New Guinea, Father Vince was involved in work with a central elementary school, a girls' vocational school, a training college for midwives and infant welfare nurses and a health center; he also founded a technical training school for young men, focusing on on-the-job training for students and also acted as liaison for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Colombia for nine years; and WHEREAS, Beginning in 1988, Father Vince served as pastor at Our Lady of Sacred Heart parish in Watertown, until in 1997, he was appointed director of the Sacred Heart Retreat and Renewal Center in the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio; and WHEREAS, In 2008, Father Vince returned to the north country to continue his work on The Mary's Gate program, with the help of his nephew, John J. Freeh, Jr., promoting the idea of strengthening the family through faith and a focus on cultural values; and WHEREAS, In addition to his work as a missionary and priest, Father Vince is also a practiced automotive mechanic and heavy machine operator, an electrician, and a welder; in addition, he holds an amateur radio license and a pilot's license, and plays the guitar and writes poetry; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention, it is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate The Reverend Vincent T. Freeh upon the occasion of celebrating the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on