Blessing of New Catholic Charities Center in West Hempstead and Seniors

Auxiliary Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski blessed the new Catholic Charities of Long Island West Hempstead Senior Community Service Center at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and seniors attending programs there April 21 in a joyful morning ceremony and reception.

“May this place be a home of welcome, a refuge of companionship and a source of renewed strength and joy for all who come here and enter this very special place,” the bishop prayed. “Bless all our seniors who will gather in this place. May they find respect, understanding and friendship.”

Bishop Zglejszewski, the Vicar for the Western Vicariate, asked the Lord to “look with favor upon this senior center established within the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle and entrusted to the compassionate care of our Catholic Charities,” and that staff, volunteers, caregivers and members of the parish community be blessed as well.

His introduction about the new center came “from the bottom of my heart,” the bishop said, because he had spent eight years serving at St. Thomas the Apostle, a remark met with applause. In fact, his farewell Mass and gathering took place in the space the center now occupies.

“This place is very close to my heart. This is why I’m so glad to share this place to you,” he told assembled guests.  

The West Hempstead senior center’s opening brings “a great feeling of resurrection,” the bishop said, especially during the current Easter season. He noted the new life in the building, which housed the parish school before it closed.  

Michael E. Smith, CEO of Catholic Charities of Long Island, in his remarks, said “our seniors carry wisdom, faith and experience that enrich us all.” It is one of three such centers; the others are in Oceanside at St. Anthony’s Parish and in Wantagh.

“This center stands as a visible sign that you are valued, welcome and never forgotten…May this place be where friendships grow, where hope is renewed, and lives continue to flourish,” said Smith, who praised Paul Engelhart, Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Charities, and Kim Parbst, Director of Senior Services, for their work bringing the new center on board.

The center opened in Fall 2024. The new space fits seniors’ needs better than the previous center in Franklin Square, Parbst said. It is located in a single air-conditioned level, with a ramp leading directly to the door. There is an ample parking just steps away.  

Father Tony Stanganelli, the pastor of St. Thomas Apostle, told seniors that as “landlord” he was grateful “to give you a space, and more importantly my encouragement, to gather, meet, support, love and care for” one another. Each person, he says, enriches other members by their “presence, faithfulness, wisdom and all the things that make you who you are and the valuable lessons you’ve learned throughout your life.

Father Tony said his parish seeks “to honor the goodness of people” that have reached a certain age, so they aren’t isolated from others. “They have an opportunity to gather, which is so important,” he said. In a Long Island landscape, where the older demographic is more prevalent, “we have to address what we can offer to seniors by way of gathering, and keeping their minds and hearts active and engaged.”

Asked how St. Thomas the Apostle parish is present at the center, the pastor pointed to festive holy days such as Christmas and Easter, and in the future hopes to encourage youth group members to visit and participate in activities.   

Elizabeth “Betty” Dempsey was one of more than 50 senior center members gathered for the blessing and a reception following with bagels and coffee. She called the bishop’s “wonderful” remarks about Catholic Charities and her fellow seniors “very heartening.” She was grateful for the bishop’s presence and his blessing.

Betty, who has six adult children, became a member about 15 years ago, shortly after her husband died. “My favorite place to be is here,” said Betty who attends on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  “The people are so friendly and pleasant. The food is good, we get exercise. It’s affordable too…When I come here I’m talking to my peers, it’s wonderful.”