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.

Seniors Pair Up with Students on the Dance Floor

Written on 30 March 2025.

Seniors and students enjoyed spending time together at an afternoon of music and dancing during the annual Spring Fling at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School. Differences in years melted away as the older and younger folks filled the dance floor in...

Lidia Serves Up Food, Faith and Family for New Catholic Charities Show on CFN

Written on 25 March 2025.

Lidia Bastianich was a girl of 11 when she and her mother, father and brother arrived from Italy in 1958, and she’s never forgotten the help Catholic Charities provided after they came to New York. They were resettled in an apartment in North Bergen,...

Confirmation Candidates at St. Raymond’s Collect Goods to Help Formerly Homeless in Catholic Charities Housing

Written on 18 March 2025.

Just before Lent began, 150 seventh- and eighth-graders at St. Raymond Parish in East Rockaway preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation learned about Catholic Charities of Long Island programs helping people with disabilities who previously...

Giving Thanks for Religious Sisters

Written on 10 March 2025.

Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, is a perfect time to give thanks for religious sisters serving in ministries of Catholic Charities of Long Island. Sister Lynn Caton, C.S.J., is clinical supervisor at Talbot House, CCLI’s residential stabilization...

Students Learn About Catholic Charities, Give Catholic Schools Week Service

Written on 04 February 2025.

Students at five Catholic elementary schools in the diocese learned more about Catholic Charities of Long Island, and did direct service for others, during Catholic Schools Week, January 27 to 31. It was the second consecutive year Catholic Charities...

2024 Highlights of Our ‘Community of Caring’

Written on 04 January 2025.

A “community of caring” is being nurtured at Catholic Charities of Long Island. In 2025, we’d like to see this community continue to grow so we can help more of our needy and vulnerable neighbors on Long Island. Let’s accept the invitation of Jesus...

Christmas Celebration, Courtesy of Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, Was a Great Gift for Moms, Kids

Written on 26 December 2024.

The families of Catholic Charities of Long Island’s WIC program enjoyed a Christmas celebration to remember, courtesy of Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, at CCLI’s building on North Main Street in Freeport. The third floor was bustling with activity...

Years of Service to Neighbors in Need Add Up for Good at Catholic Charities

Written on 20 December 2024.

A total of 82 Catholic Charities of Long Island employees were recognized for five to 30 years of service, and CEO Mike Smith worked the calculations. Their cumulative service added up to a grand total of 940 years, Smith said at the 2024 Employee...

Talbot House Cook Serves Up Good Meals, Shares Recovery Journey

Written on 03 December 2024.

Nearly 10 years ago, a friend told Sal Guli III about an opening at Talbot House in Bohemia. He was out of work and looking to leave the restaurant business because he was tired of “being around people who were drinking or on something.” At the time...