Our Stories of Hope and Compassion

Welcome to the Catholic Charities of Long Island Blog! Here, we share stories of how through Jesus Christ, we share hope, compassion, and help to those in our Long Island community who need it the most. Join us on a journey through the heartwarming experiences, valuable insights, and our tireless efforts to create positive change on Long Island. Explore our blog to stay connected with our Catholic calling to serve, inspire, and empower all God’s people with dignity and care.

Serving Our Communities with Compassion and Respect-Catholic Charities Reaffirms our Commitment to our Migrant Neighbors

Written on 28 July 2026.

Serving Our Communities with Compassion and Respect-Catholic Charities Reaffirms our Commitment to our Migrant Neighbors Catholic Charities of Long Island reflects the love of Jesus Christ for all God’s children and puts faith in action for...

Eagle Scout Projects Are Welcome Gifts for Catholic Charities

Written on 09 July 2026.

Lorenzo Falanga made quite an impression at Regina Residence in Merrick. Afterall, it’s not every day that Catholic Charities of Long Island receives a donation like the one planned, organized and collected by the high school junior from H....

As She Retires, Kim Parbst Looks Back on Her Care for Seniors

Written on 26 June 2026.

As She Retires, Kim Parbst Looks Back on Her Care for Seniors For the past decade, Kim Parbst has served as Director of Senior Services for Catholic Charities of Long Island, the culmination of her career working on behalf of seniors. Her...

Catholic Charities Helps Refugees Find Hope Together

Written on 23 June 2026.

Catholic Charities Helps Refugees Find Hope Together United was the word at the annual World Refugee Day observance organized by Catholic Charities of Long Island. A large crowd, including many young families, gathered at the Amityville...

This DSP Felt Welcome at Bustamante from Day One

Written on 02 June 2026.

Chris Bornschein’s first visit to Bustamante Residence took place during an open house. He had never served as a Direct Support Professional, but immediately took a liking to the work beginning on his first day in January 2023. ...

Nonprofit Management Program Gives CCLI Director ‘Bigger Picture Perspective’

Written on 29 May 2026.

Christine Lai, a 20-year employee of Catholic Charities of Long Island who has been Director of Mental Health Services since May 2022, recently earned a certificate for Excellence in Nonprofit Management for completing a 36-credit Continuing...

Catholic Charities ‘Family’ Members Receive Caritas Award

Written on 20 May 2026.

This year’s Caritas Award Dinner honored the father and daughter team of Joseph J. Fennessy and Carol Sciotto for their support of Catholic Charities of Long Island’s service to our neighbors in need. The honorees ...

At St. Joseph’s Day, Seniors Told Faith Keeps Them ‘Young at Heart’

Written on 12 May 2026.

At Mass in St. Agnes Cathedral, Bishop John O. Barres thanked 300 seniors served by Catholic Charities of Long Island for living their Catholic faith in this season of their lives. “When we are in union with Christ on the cross, there is...

Catholic Charities Leads First Mental Health Day for Students

Written on 07 May 2026.

The first Mental Health Day organized by Catholic Charities of Long Island was presented April 24 to students at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip. The morning offered an early recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month...

Blessing of New Catholic Charities Center in West Hempstead and Seniors

Written on 24 April 2026.

Auxiliary Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski blessed the new Catholic Charities of Long Island West Hempstead Senior Community Service Center at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and seniors attending programs there April 21 in a joyful morning...

Volunteer of the Year Ann Kissell Places Others First

Written on 24 April 2026.

Ann Kissell volunteers with heart, an attribute that shines through the work she accomplishes and the way she relates to colleagues at Catholic Charities of Long Island. She consistently places others first, and is quick to share a smile and...

Connect Christ’s Love and Care for the Poor This Lent

Written on 23 March 2026.

Connect Christ’s Love and Care for the Poor This Lent Written on 21 March 2026. “…I share the desire of my beloved predecessor that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the...

West Hempstead Center ‘in Tune’ with Seniors

Written on 20 March 2026.

Twice-weekly Bingo games are the big draw at the West Hempstead Senior Community Center sponsored by Catholic Charities of Long Island, but a Thursday morning music medley had seniors dancing in pairs and others swaying in their seats to the...

Bethany Hogan Selected for Leadership Academy

Written on 15 March 2026.

Bethany Hogan, clinic supervisor of CCLI’s Addiction Treatment Services, Hampton Bays Clinic, is participating in the OASAS Leadership Academy. This is the first time Catholic Charities of Long Island is being represented at the Leadership...

Catholic Charities Anniversary Employees Recognized for Service

Written on 29 January 2026.

Fifty-three staff members of Catholic Charities of Long Island were honored at the 2025 Employee Recognition Celebration for their longstanding service to the needy and vulnerable.Thirty-six of those recognized were cited for 5, 10 and 15 years...

How Catholic Charities of Long Island Delivered Help and Hope in 2025

Written on 08 January 2026.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LONG ISLAND has just completed another year of bringing “Care with Dignity…Life with Hope” to needy and vulnerable neighbors in Nassau and Suffolk counties, where we exclusively carry out our Gospel call. The following...

Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation Gifts Brighten Christmas at St. Brigid’s and Parishes Across Long Island

Written on 30 December 2025.

A steady stream of young parents walked through the parish center at St. Brigid’s in Westbury where toys, puzzles and games, sports equipment, baby dolls and stuffed animals, and clothes filled festive tables covered in red and green. ...

CYO Long Island Delivers an Early Christmas Present

Written on 01 December 2025.

The gymnasium at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Hicksville was dressed for Christmas as colorful blow-up characters lined up next to finely wrapped presents and balloon art figures. A chair at the center was reserved for Santa Claus, who called out...

Live on CFN: Faith in Action at St. Frances de Chantal in Wantagh

Written on 10 November 2025.

The Parish Social Ministry outreach at St. Frances de Chantal went live on Catholic Faith Network November 6 as CFN correspondent Jackie Lukas visited the Wantagh parish to speak with PSM director Ele Ruth Melendez and to see how Thanksgiving food...

Bringing Thanksgiving Blessings to Families and Parishes

Written on 05 November 2025.

At Thanksgiving, we traditionally gather around the family table and give thanks to the Lord for all our blessings. This month, Catholic Charities of Long Island mails a fund-raising appeal to supporters benefiting our Meals on Wheels...

Catholic Charities of Long Island Shines on Perfect Fall Day

Written on 10 October 2025.

After sporting fun on the championship golf course and pickleball courts of The Muttontown Club in East Norwich, supporters of Catholic Charities of Long Island capped the perfect day on the sun-splashed patio overlooking the lush course. They...

Catholic Charities Fair Serves Up Healthy Menu

Written on 11 September 2025.

Attendees at the annual Health Fair for Refugees presented by Catholic Charities of Long Island were treated to healthful activities ranging from nutritional tips, growing vegetables, a fitness workout, and artistic sketching. Sigrid...

O’Grady Leadership Institute Sparks Plans for Increased Catholic Identity

Written on 08 August 2025.

Karina Contti, director of human resources for Catholic Charities of Long Island, joined more than 20 fellow Catholic Charities senior executives from around the country for the weeklong Advanced O’Grady Leadership Institute. The June 16-20...

Kellenberg Service Camp Lets Students Put Faith Into Action at Catholic Charities Ministries

Written on 07 August 2025.

The inaugural Service Immersion Camp, a weeklong partnership between Kellenberg Memorial High School and Catholic Charities of Long Island, gave 14 student campers daily experiences learning about and taking part in CCLI ministries. The July 21...

Plan Your Legacy Right Now with My Catholic Will

Written on 05 August 2025.

Catholic Charities of Long Island works with an organization called My Catholic Will that is giving our friends and supporters access to their services for free. And since August is National Make a Will month, there’s no better time than the...

Retiring Parish Social Ministry Director Says God’s Plan Is Better, Even When It’s Challenging

Written on 29 July 2025.

On her way to serving as director of Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Charities of Long Island, Paula Malloy reached several crossroads. She wasn’t always sure she was making the right decision, but she went forward, often with trepidation....

Protecting Environment Starts at Home for the Sisters of St. Joseph

Written on 28 July 2025.

A rare pine barrens forest on the campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood is now permanently protected, following a major conservation agreement between the Sisters and New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC...

Family’s Faith Grows While Volunteering for Catholic Charities

Written on 17 July 2025.

As a parent of two young children, Alexandra Acosta had been looking for volunteer opportunities to build up the Catholic faith of her family. On July 12, the Acostas spent more than four hours helping at the Catholic Charities of Long Island...

Cleary School for the Deaf Celebrates

Written on 30 June 2025.

A Century of Educational Leadership The Moving Up ceremony for Pre-K and second grade students was a great kickoff to 100th anniversary celebrations at the Cleary School for the Deaf. The June 20 ceremony at the Nesconset campus featured a...

Forming Community at CCLI Refugee Day

Written on 21 June 2025.

From adjacent Schleigel Boulevard, the community gathering in the parking lot on the Catholic Charities of Long Island campus in Amityville may have seemed like a block party or even a family reunion. A large white tent kept occasional sprinkles...