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 center in Bohemia. She is a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor at the Master Level (CASAC-M).

At Talbot House, Sister Lynn provides administrative and clinical supervision to the counseling staff. Administratively, she keeps paperwork current so day-to-day operations run smoothly. Her clinical supervision offers support and development for counselors. The methodology at Talbot House gives her a lot of direct contact with clients. 

Sister Lynn explained that her religious calling is “a response to our baptismal call to share the Gospel.”

“At Talbot House, that's what we do, love our neighbor no matter what they've done, who they are, what they look like, they are my neighbor, and they are beloved children of God,” she explained. Asked how she brings hope into the trying situations her clients face, Sister Lynn responded, “Hope is such an important part of the healing from substance use disorder. Too often clients come to us so beaten that hope is too difficult for them to imagine. 

So, Sister Lynn offers her own hope for their recovery. She tells them that “anyone doing this work would be insane to keep coming back if we had no hope for their recovery. I suggest they at least try to believe in the hope that I have for them. I think also when they recognize the love we have for them, they begin to believe it a bit for themselves.” 

Sisters in Parish Social Ministry
Several religious sisters serve in Parish Social Ministry programs at Catholic parishes in Nassau and Suffolk counties, where they oversee outreach services such as food and clothing and make referrals for other assistance. Their ministry of presence benefits from their devotion and caring spirit, in some cases spanning decades.

Sister Christine Sammons, O.P., said her 21 years as Parish Social Ministry coordinator at St. Bernard’s in Levittown have brought much personal fulfillment, especially when she sees “our parishioners—children and adults—as well as local community groups and individuals supporting our efforts in reaching out to those in need. Very often, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of so many!”

During Lent, Sister Christine suggested that Parish Social Ministry work can receive a boost by inviting “people to a greater awareness of those in need around the globe, and to act locally on behalf of those in need...”

“Awareness leads to action, so a Lenten discipline might entail doing something very concrete on behalf of a less fortunate individual or family,” she said.

Parish Social Ministry programs at 110 Catholic parishes on Long Island help 145,000 people each year. Training and other resources are provided by CCLI staff under director Paula Malloy. 

Other sisters serving as PSM directors and coordinators in Nassau parishes are Sister Barbara Faber, R.S.M., Our Lady of Peace, Lynbrook; Sister Kathy Somerville, O.P., Our Lady of Fatima, Port Washington; Sister Kathleen Murphy, O.P., St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre; Sister Margie Kelly, C.S.J., Holy Name of Mary, Valley Stream; and Sister Carol Radosti, O.P., St. Rose of Lima, Massapequa. Serving as PSM directors and coordinators in Suffolk parishes are Sister MarieJosee Seide, D.W., St. Martin of Tours, Amityville, and Sister Lisa Bergeron, O.S.U., St. John Nepomucene, Bohemia. 

You can honor these sisters by supporting CCLI’s Emergency Relief Fund, which assists Long Islanders with a temporary need, often prompted by job loss, an unexpected repair bill or rental arrears. To learn more about ERF, go to catholic charities.cc.

#LikeaCatholicSister #CatholicSistersWeek