Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation Gifts Brighten Christmas at St. Brigid’s and Parishes Across Long Island

A steady stream of young parents walked through the parish center at St. Brigid’s in Westbury where toys, puzzles and games, sports equipment, baby dolls and stuffed animals, and clothes filled festive tables covered in red and green.

Jessica, a mother of two young girls who is pregnant with her third child, filled three bags with gifts. “It’s a blessing to come here,” she said. “I didn’t buy toys for my daughters.”

Making sure her household has enough good food is her main priority, and extras aren’t always possible. She was very happy to find the exact doll that her nine-year-old had requested.

Jessica responded to questions in English. The native Spanish speaker had recently learned to speak the language. She had wanted to learn so she could better communicate with her children’s teachers.

The Christmas Angel celebration at St. Brigid’s on December 20 and 21 was sponsored by the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation. For the second straight year, the foundation made a generous donation expressly to brighten the Christmases of many families Catholic Charities of Long Island helps.  

As parents shopped, their children had an opportunity to meet Santa and receive a bagful of goodies in the building next door where the St. Brigid’s Parish outreach each week assists more than 300 families, including many immigrants. They also enjoyed the animals and other balloon art Santa created.   

The buildings are located across Post Avenue from St. Brigid’s Church, known as the Mother Church of Nassau County. Father John Sureau is the pastor of St. Brigid’s.

This year funding from the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation helped families assisted by Parish Social Ministry, the outreach programs in place at more than 100 Catholic parishes on Long Island. Families are receiving Target or Visa gift cards supplied by the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation.

At St. Brigid’s, several representatives of the Foundation joined representatives of Catholic Charities, led by Board of Trustees chair Bill Ayers and his wife, Kelly, Development and Communications director Danielle Campbell, and Parish Social Ministry director Gena McSorley.

Dozens of Parish Social Ministry volunteers at St. Brigid’s helped the event run smoothly by setting up the room, checking in and escorting guests, babysitting children and gift-wrapping presents. Longtime PSM volunteer Sue Perfetti, who was joined by her husband, Tony, said, “There’s something for everyone at St. Brigid’s.”

“There’s so many things going on,” said Sue, who also helps with the Ministry of Consolation.

Yanira Chacon, director of Parish Social Ministry, called the work she and her staff and volunteers are able to accomplish “a labor of love.”

“It’s a big deal for parents to have gifts to provide for their children,” she said.

Catholic Charities of Long Island staff assist Parish Social Ministry programs by providing training and resources. The charitable outreach being done in Catholic parishes annually assists 145,000 Long Islanders, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The Diocese of Rockville Centre, through Catholic Charities and its parishes, was a trailblazer in establishing Parish Social Ministry programs nearly 50 years ago. If you would like to help support and expand this ministry, please share a gift today.