WHEREAS, The Irish Outreach Apostolate was founded as an approved apostolate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1996; and
WHEREAS, The Apostolate was created with the approval of Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua and under the direction of Reverend Thomas Betz, the Director of the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees; and
WHEREAS, Father Betz organized three Irish-American Priests; Father Michael McCleane, Father Michael Kelly, and Father Joseph McLoone to reach out pastorally to recently arrived Irish immigrants to help them assimilate; and
WHEREAS, The apostolate has always had as its prime mission to welcome the stranger among us and do whatever is necessary to assist them to adjust; and
WHEREAS, In 1999 the apostolate received great news when Father Gerry Burns arrived from Ireland to work as its coordinator; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor the Irish Outreach Apostolate for its work with Irish immigrants in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Father Gerry Burns as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End