Catholic Charities of Long Island Shines on Perfect Fall Day

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 enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner and dessert treats there in the company of friends. Many CCLI board members and executives were sprinkled throughout the tables.   

Amid the good feelings, Bill Ayers reminded the guests at the 23rd annual Catholic Charities of Long Island Golf Classic and Pickleball Tournament that their presence was key because Catholic Charities requires their help to meet the growing needs of Long Islanders.

“The need has not abated, by any stretch of the imagination,” said Ayers, the new chair of CCLI’s Board of Trustees. “Your presence here tonight, your generosity, really goes a long way.”

In words of welcome, CCLI CEO Michael E. Smith got a laugh for encouraging participants to be as generous with their raffle playing as “you were with your scoring…on the golf course today.” There were raffles galore, including box raffles with great prizes including stays at Oheka Castle, four tickets to a Major League game of the winner’s choosing and a wine class for 20 as well as a 50/50 raffle that exceeded $1,600 in sales.

Smith thanked the many Board of Trustee members attending, and the Catholic Charities directors and other staff who volunteered under Danielle Campbell, CCLI’s director of communications and development, and Maren Henderson, development coordinator.

Msgr. James C. Vlaun, CEO and president of Catholic Faith Network and vice chair of the CCLI board, put the day in perspective with a story about the care Catholic Charities of Long Island delivers. He told guests they had “saved people today. That might not strike you right now, but you did. I know that because I see the stories and I know the people.”

Describing CCLI’s Meals on Wheels program, Msgr. Vlaun said, “People who are widowed and living alone in a condo someplace on Long Island look forward to that meal that shows up at their house every day. More than the meal, the person who delivers it is a friendly face and brings them a little comfort every day, maybe the only person they see…You should feel good about what you did today because something beautiful has happened.”

Msgr. Vlaun offered a blessing for the food and for the ministry of Catholic Charities in “bringing hope to those in need.”

Players on the golf course couldn’t have enjoyed better weather than the upper-70s temperatures at the October 6 event. They tried their best to win the new car offered by King O’Rourke Cadillac GMC Buick in Smithtown as the prize for a hole in one on the 145-yard seventh hole.

They tested their best shots against head club pro Robert Senatore, who said that he enjoyed the friendly competition benefiting Catholic Charities. “Your staff was a pleasure to work with in planning this,” he said. “It made my first new experiences in this role much easier…Things went smooth because of the preparation of the staff of Charities.”

“It’s a great cause and great people. It was an honor to be part of it.”  

The foursome of Deacon Michael Monahan, who serves at the Tri-Parish Beach Catholic Community in Long Beach and is a member of CCLI’s board of trustees, was acknowledged as the best on the course. Playing with him were Father Leo Song, pastor of St. Raphael’s Parish in East Meadow, Joseph Mulligan and Fred O’Meally.

Deacon Monahan explained that his group played a solid round but wasn’t thinking about being named Best Foursome. Exciting shots included Mulligan’s Eagle pitch-in on a Par 4. The deacon and Mulligan were partners together at his old firm, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, a putting green sponsor this year. He and Father Song recently ministered together at Beach Catholic.

“This was my first time playing with Fred O’Meally, and he was a true delight to be with and watch play,” Deacon Monahan said. “All three are wonderful golfers and it was humbling to share the day with them and to be a part of their team.”

He offered high praise for Bill Ayers, Michael Smith, Danielle Campbell and the entire CCLI team. “The club, hospitality and entire experience was a delight. It was well run, well organized and truly meaningful way to support the great causes of a truly Catholic-driven and evangelizing vehicle such as Catholic Charities of Long Island.”

Pickleball was new this year, with instruction in the morning and competitive games in the afternoon. Dr. Andrew Moawad and Carol Staub, a senior at the CCLI Oceanside Senior Community, took home top prizes.

Staub, who is adept swinging the racquet with both hands, plays pickleball every morning. The sport is part of a fitness routine that includes Zumba and stretching classes at the Oceanside Center.  “I’m naturally athletic and to be physically fit is important to me,” she said. “Anything that has movement, I will be there.”

The Oceanside Center, located at St. Anthony’s parish, “is beautifully run,” she said. “I’ve met so many people that I’ve become friends with. The people are lovely.”