Standing before 168 supporters at this week’s Catholic Charities of Long Island Golf Classic and Pickleball Tournament, Deacon Michael J. Monahan repeated a story he told at one of his first meetings with the CCLI Board of Trustees.
When Superstorm Sandy flooded his family home in Oceanside with 4½ feet of water, knocking out power, spoiling food and damaging property, the deacon noted that there were no visits from the Office of Emergency Management or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Catholic Charities representatives did show up. They brought hats, gloves, and blankets, and a check for $1,000 to help with immediate needs, which drew applause on the back patio at The Muttontown Club in East Norwich.
“Catholic Charities really does service the front-line needs of the people,” Deacon Monahan said. “They go to where the need is, and they try to find solutions.”
‘A Meaningful Difference’
Deacon Monahan, who serves at Tri-Parish Beach Catholic, was joined by many family members including his mother, sister, son and wife of 35 years, Doreen. Many clergy he serves with at Beach Catholic as well as friends and colleagues were on hand.
CCLI’s CEO Michael E. Smith thanked Deacon Monahan and said the honoree’s “dedication, faith and steadfast support of Catholic Charities has made a meaningful difference in our ability to serve others.”
“We’re deeply grateful for his example of living the Gospel through his service.”
Speaking to supporters gathered for the reception and dinner, Smith said their generosity enables Catholic Charities “to provide food for families, counseling for those in need, affordable housing services, senior support, and countless other programming that bring Christ’s love to those who are struggling.”
Smith and Bill Ayers, chair of CCLI’s Board of Trustees, presented Deacon Monahan with a statue of “He Who Serves,” a work by sculptor Timothy Schmaltz.
Most guests at the October 5 event had enjoyed the athletic play earlier, with 125 golfers and 10 more on the pickleball courts.
Frank Caminiti sunk a 50-footer to become the sole winner of the Longest Putt contest. Caminiti said many putts broke his way on the course, so he decided to test his skill in the putting contest. His first putt missed the mark, but the second found the hole, bringing him a $300 prize.
“The second one went right in like it knew where it was going,” Caminiti said with flair. He enjoyed a great day playing in a foursome with his son, Phil, and two of Phil’s friends, Bob Muir and Dan DeMilt. The three were teammates on Adelphi University’s baseball team.
Fun on the Fairways
The Best Foursome honor went to Joe Mulligan, Steve Barbarino, Johnny Lee and Brad Matthees, who each earned new golf bags as prizes. Hats off to the quartet who played bogey-free golf across the entire 18 holes in the scramble format. “Lots of fun, lots of fairways, good putting and a great golf course” is how Mulligan summed up the winning effort.
Bill Regan took home the Longest Drive on hole 11, with Noreen Canty posting the Longest Drive for women. John Falco hit his shot closest to the line on Hole 13, and George Cognard was closest to the pin.
Pickleball players enjoyed an afternoon of great play in the company of ace sponsor James Thornton. They received instruction from an expert and played multiple games. Skills varied from beginner to advanced, so players were matched for ability and a good time was enjoyed by all.
Golfers and pickleball players and other supporters understood that those served by Catholic Charities of Long Island are the primary reason for the fundraising event, well organized under the leadership of Danielle Campbell, director of development and communications, and Maren Henderson, development coordinator.
Board chair Bill Ayers, in his remarks, cited many members of Catholic Charities’ Board of Trustees in attendance. He saluted Catholic Charities’ top executives as well as the directors and staff of various ministries who helped, and the support of each guest, while listing many important services that Catholic Charities provides to Long Islanders in need.
“You being here today is extremely important,” Ayers said. “We rely on your service and your support, and we will continue to rely on that, and we need you.”
Hope and Joy Abounds
Board member Geraldine Brennan enjoyed playing golf and having five other family members present, including her father and brother. “I love having them here,” she said. “They are supporting me for the thing I enjoy the most.”
Another board member, Justin Hebert, doesn’t play golf, but joined supporters on the Catholic Charities team at dinner. “It’s wonderful to be around people with charitable hearts who are looking out for the less fortunate…There’s a lot of hope and joy when you are with such a faithful group.”
