Shaping ‘God and Love’ at Catholic Charities

Mike Addonizio never rushes an art project. His latest idea had been percolating since Catholic Charities of Long Island incorporated a cross and a heart in its logo in 2020.

He waits for inspiration to strike before the design work begins. The finished product went through a cardboard template and several unsuccessful attempts with other materials before the steel remaining from a home project proved the right building material.

Mike worked with his son in law Sean, who has mastered the bending machine set up in his home workshop. The block of steel was shaped to fashion the heart leaning on the cross. The two main elements represent “God and love,” said Mike, adding that “He’s always in your heart.”

The shaping process took time to achieve the right bend on the heart and the cross before the individual pieces were carefully welded together. Cuts were made and grinded down and pickled before being wiped down with copper sulfate and combination of dish washing detergent, water and salt to form a patina under a clear-coat seal.

The project came together in nine hours. Perhaps the work was made easier because he and Sean are next door neighbors. “We bounce ideas off each other,” Mike says. Sometimes all that needs to be said is, “Come on over.”

“If me and him can’t build it, then no one can,” Mike states. The work is currently staged in the board room at Catholic Charities office in Hicksville. “It gives me great joy to see somebody look at the piece and be happy,” he notes.

Mike, who is in his 26th year with Catholic Charities, currently serves as Residential Facilities Coordinator for the dozen homes across Long Island that CCLI operates for adults with developmental disabilities. This is the first time he’s ever had an office, located on the Amityville campus.

Over the years, he’s gotten to know many of the clients who live in the residences, where they are encouraged to develop their potential and be active in their communities. “I have a relationship with all of them. When I go into a house, I’m greeted by 13 people in their own way,” he said. “I treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”

Mike considers himself a pretty quiet fellow who doesn’t seek the limelight, but does enjoy bringing people joy through his artwork. He is open to being inspired by an idea from someone else.

He’s hoping to create smaller versions of the heart and cross piece that fit well on desktops. “I love doing the work and putting a smile on someone’s face,” he said.