2013 -- S 0084

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LC00563

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

THANKING REVEREND MONSIGNOR VICTOR M. VIEIRA FOR FORTY-FIVE YEARS

OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD AND THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE

ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senator Daniel DaPonte

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, On June 11th of 1967, Reverend Victor M. Vieira was ordained to the Holy

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Priesthood by the Most Reverend Bishop D. Manuel Afonso de Carvalho. Over the course of the

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next four and a half decades, Reverend Monsignor Vieira has proven to be an inspiration to all

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who have had the pleasure to know him; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Portugal on April 12th of 1942, Reverend Vieira attended the

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Seminary of Espirito Santo. Upon completion of his theological studies at the Diocesan Seminary

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of Angra do Heroismo and his ordination, Reverend Vieira celebrated his First Mass at Our Lady

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of Conception Church in Angra do Heroismo and a solemn Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of

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the Angels Church on July 18th of 1967; and

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     WHEREAS, Reverend Vieira was appointed Professor of the Primary School of Maliana

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in East Timor in September of 1967, while continuing to serve in the Mission in the Enclave of

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Oe-Cusse. Although he was forced to leave East Timor when political struggles created

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dangerous hostilities within the country, his faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother grew

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stronger; and

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     WHEREAS, After immigrating to the United States, Reverend Vieira was assigned as

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Assistant Pastor to St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence in 1976. In 1987, he was named

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Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Cumberland, and later returned to St. Francis Xavier

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Church, where he faithfully served his parishioners as Pastor for twenty-six years until being

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assigned as Pastor Emeritus at St. Francis Xavier Church in May of 2012; and

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     WHEREAS, In January of 2009, The Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the

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Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, announced that Reverend Vieira was named ‘Chaplain to

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His Holiness’ with the title of Reverend Monsignor, by The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

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The title is bestowed in recognition of one’s service and commitment to the Church; and

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     WHEREAS, Over the course of his revered career, Reverend Monsignor Vieira has

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proven to be an outstanding administrator and spiritual leader. His perseverance and collaborative

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skills have provided his parish and parishioners with the resources necessary to ensure the

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augmentation of an excellent religious education program, significant improvements to the

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church’s infrastructure, and continuance of the parish community’s rich cultural and religious

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traditions; and

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     WHEREAS, Reverend Monsignor Vieira has spent his life in devout service to God.

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Through that unification, he has served and blessed the faithful, enriched the spiritual lives of

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many Rhode Islanders, and earned our total respect and admiration for his piety and service; now,

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therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

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Plantations is hereby pleased to honor and thank Reverend Monsignor Vieira for forty-five years

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of faithful service to God and the people of our state. We wish him good health and many more

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years of benevolent service to his fellow man; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Reverend Monsignor Victor M. Vieira.

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LC00563

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