SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND EXALTING THE PARISH OF ST. LUCY CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING, the official text

S3236 2026 -- S 3236 ======== LC006343 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N CONGRATULATING AND EXALTING THE PARISH OF ST. LUCY CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING Introduced By: Senator Louis P. DiPalma Date Introduced: April 30, 2026 Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar 1 WHEREAS, In the year of our Lord 1951, the Most Reverend Russell J. McVinney, 2 Bishop of Providence, recognized the pastoral needs of the growing Catholic community in 3 Middletown, as well as those serving at the Newport Naval Base, now known as Naval Station 4 Newport; and 5 WHEREAS, In response to these needs, the Diocese of Providence purchased 6 approximately thirty acres of land, formerly known as the Brookfield Dairy Farm, with the vision 7 of establishing a parish complex including a church, school, and convent; and 8 WHEREAS, On May 23, 1951, Bishop McVinney formally established the Parish of St. 9 Lucy Catholic Church from portions of St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s Parishes in Newport, 10 appointing the Reverend James P. Casey as its first pastor; and 11 WHEREAS, On June 10, 1951, the first Holy Mass of the parish was celebrated by 12 Father Casey at Anchorage Hall, marking the humble yet faith-filled beginnings of a vibrant and 13 enduring parish community; and 14 WHEREAS, On September 16, 1951, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the 15 construction of the original church building, a moment that symbolized the faith, dedication, and 16 unity of its founding parishioners; and 17 WHEREAS, The church was formally dedicated on June 15, 1952, and in the decades 18 that followed, the parish continued to grow, including the establishment of a school and convent, 19 and later the construction of a new church building dedicated in 1990; and 1 WHEREAS, Throughout its distinguished 75-year history, St. Lucy Parish has stood as a 2 beacon of faith, compassion, and service, welcoming generations of families and ministering to 3 the spiritual, pastoral, and social needs of the entire Aquidneck Island community, regardless of 4 creed or circumstance; and 5 WHEREAS, The parish has also demonstrated a deep commitment to charitable outreach, 6 including support for those in need through ministries such as sheltering women and children, and 7 fostering a spirit of generosity and inclusion; and 8 WHEREAS, As St. Lucy Catholic Church celebrates the milestone of its 75th 9 Anniversary, it does so with a proud legacy of faith, a vibrant present, and a hopeful future 10 grounded in service, community, and devotion; now, therefore be it 11 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates and 12 extols the Parish of St. Lucy Catholic Church on the joyous occasion of the 75th Anniversary of 13 its founding, and expresses its deepest appreciation for its many decades of faithful service to the 14 community; and be it further 15 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 16 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Parish of St. Lucy Catholic Church. ======== LC006343 ======== LC006343 - Page 2 of 2