Family’s Faith Grows While Volunteering for Catholic Charities

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 OPWDD Summer Dance at Butler Hall in Amityville.

Alexandra and husband Alberto joined their eight-year-old son Nicholas and six- year-old daughter Milania in setting up tables and decorations, serving plates filled with slices of pizza and cake, and helping to clean up afterward. They greeted residents of the CCLI homes for the developmentally disabled as they entered and joined in the dancing too.

Having their own tasks made the kids feel like they were part of the action, instead of merely watching mom and dad work. “It was great,” Mrs. Acosta said. “They had lots of fun.” When the day was over, her kids asked when the next dance would take place, because they were eager to volunteer again. They were happy to learn that the October dance features a Halloween theme.

Dances are held throughout the year, timed to holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and the Spring and Summer seasons.   

The Acostas reside in East Islip and are parishioners of St. John of God Church in Central Islip, where Alexandra was raised. She is an alumnus of St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip. At the dance, she enjoyed “a full circle moment” with Patricia Callahan, CCLI’s volunteer and intern coordinator, who was campus minister at St. John the Baptist when Alexandra was a student.

Now a teacher herself, Mrs. Acosta considers her family’s volunteer experience “a great avenue.” Nicholas and Milania were told beforehand that their family was sharing time with others, including some adults who might need their assistance.

The Acostas also attended last month’s Diocesan Eucharistic Congress at St. Anthony’s High School. With the heavy emphasis on sports and other activities in today’s family life, Mrs. Acosta said it was also important to see “what are we doing as parents to nourish the faith.”

Saint Teresa of Calcutta often said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.” If your family would like to hear more about volunteer opportunities at Catholic Charities of Long Island, please contact Patricia Callahan at (516) 733-7044.