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

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 powerful fruit,” the bishop said. “Thank each one of you for the beautiful way you live the cross of Jesus Christ.

In his welcome at the beginning of Mass, Bishop Barres called the occasion “a wonderful time to realize that when our Catholic faith is strong, we are never alone.”

Our Catholic faith, when we live it powerfully, when we pray deeply, we are always young at heart.”

He shared the faithful example of another Long Island senior, Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella, O.P., who on April 20 celebrated her 113th birthday. She is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest Catholic nun.

Sister Francis, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, taught in Brooklyn Catholic schools and for 52 years at Molloy University in Rockville Centre. The bishop eagerly shared a quote from Sister Francis. “Teach until you die,” he said. “Teach Jesus Christ, live Jesus Christ, until you die.”

The annual Mass and reception May 6 honored St. Joseph, patron saint of the aging. The seniors are members of Catholic Charities senior community service centers and housing programs as well as parish senior clubs. They traveled to the afternoon gathering from across Long Island.

Catholic Charities of Long Island CEO Michael E. Smith, CEO, in remarks after Communion, said St. Joseph’s life proclaimed the powerful message “that holiness is found in fidelity, in choosing God day after day, in the ordinary moments of life.”

The quiet holiness that animated St. Joseph also “shines in our senior citizens.” Smith called the seniors “the living memory” of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

“You have carried the faith across generations, not only by what you have taught, by how you lived. You have shown others how to pray, how to remain faithful in family life and how to trust in God at all times.”

Like St. Joseph, they have served without recognition, working, sacrificing, loving and persevering in ways often unseen, Smith explained. “This faithfulness has built our families, strengthened our Church and shaped our community.”

He expressed gratitude to Bishop Barres for his presence and to Kim Parbst, director of Senior Services for Catholic Charities of Long Island, and her assistant, Iris Flores, for coordinating St. Joseph’s Day. He thanked Father Michael Duffy, rector of St. Agnes Cathedral, and the staff of the cathedral parish.

Bishop Barres joined seniors at a luncheon reception in brightly decorated Msgr. James Kelly Parish Center. He greeted guests at tables around the dance floor where the John Walters group played many of their favorite songs from decades past.

Olga Hlinka, a member of the Wantagh Senior Center, loves to dance. When an older song plays, the feelings it inspired come back to her. “Everyone is having fun,” she said. “We know our songs. It’s refreshing to hear those songs.”

Dominic and Rosemarie Spampinato were sitting with their friend, Margaret Sadowski. All three are members of the St. Pius X Senior Club in Plainview. They love the club’s bus trips, including visits over the years to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, a Christian theatre production in Lancaster, Penn., and recently to City Island. Club members share fellowship. “We come to be inspired and leave uplifted. It’s very positive,” Mr. Spampinato said.

Bishop Barres’ comment at Mass about a favorite crucifix caused Mrs. Spampinato to recall one that hung over her mother’s bed when she was younger and is now one of her prized possessions. “I treasure it,” she said. “It was such a special memory.”

Senior citizens have a special place with Catholic Charities of Long Island. Programs include Meals on Wheels deliveries of more than 4,000 meals each week, three Senior Community Service Centers in Nassau County offering an enriching mix of daily programming, and 16 affordable housing sites with a total of 1,329 units that allow seniors to continue living independently on Long Island.