J 2138: Congratulating Cardinal Timothy Dolan upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood

 Senate Resolution No. 2138 BY: Senator GRIFFO CONGRATULATING Cardinal Timothy Dolan upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in this noble Empire State are 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York, upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood, celebrated at a special Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Thursday, May 14, 2026; and WHEREAS, Timothy Dolan, the eldest of five children, was born to Robert and Shirley (Radcliffe) Dolan in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 6, 1950; he has two brothers and two sisters; and WHEREAS, From an early age, Timothy Dolan exhibited a strong interest in the priesthood, once stating that he could never remember a time he did not want to be a priest; as a child, he would pretend to celebrate Mass; and WHEREAS, Timothy Dolan entered Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri, in 1964; later, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Cardinal Glennon College in Shrewsbury; and WHEREAS, Timothy Dolan was sent to reside at the Pontifical North American College in Rome while studying there; he earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1976; and WHEREAS, On June 19, 1976, Timothy Dolan was ordained into the Priesthood by the Archdiocese of Saint Louis; he served as Associate Pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights, Missouri, until 1979 when he commenced studies for his Doctor of American Church History degree at the Catholic University of America; and WHEREAS, In 2009, Cardinal Timothy Dolan led the Archdiocese of New York before stepping down in December 2025; n May 2025, he participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV; and WHEREAS, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has brought to his ministry an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment while conducting his administrative and spiritual duties and always displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and dedication; and WHEREAS, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has always given guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has ministered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; 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 Cardinal Timothy Dolan, upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and exemplary service in his community and extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Cardinal Timothy Dolan.