Our Stories of Hope and Compassion

Welcome to the Catholic Charities of Long Island Blog! Here, we share stories of how through Jesus Christ, we share hope, compassion, and help to those in our Long Island community who need it the most. Join us on a journey through the heartwarming experiences, valuable insights, and our tireless efforts to create positive change on Long Island. Explore our blog to stay connected with our Catholic calling to serve, inspire, and empower all God’s people with dignity and care.

Protecting Environment Starts at Home for the Sisters of St. Joseph

Written on 28 July 2025.

A rare pine barrens forest on the campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood is now permanently protected, following a major conservation agreement between the Sisters and New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC...

Family’s Faith Grows While Volunteering for Catholic Charities

Written on 17 July 2025.

As a parent of two young children, Alexandra Acosta had been looking for volunteer opportunities to build up the Catholic faith of her family. On July 12, the Acostas spent more than four hours helping at the Catholic Charities of Long Island...

Cleary School for the Deaf Celebrates

Written on 30 June 2025.

A Century of Educational Leadership The Moving Up ceremony for Pre-K and second grade students was a great kickoff to 100th anniversary celebrations at the Cleary School for the Deaf. The June 20 ceremony at the Nesconset campus featured a...

Forming Community at CCLI Refugee Day

Written on 21 June 2025.

From adjacent Schleigel Boulevard, the community gathering in the parking lot on the Catholic Charities of Long Island campus in Amityville may have seemed like a block party or even a family reunion. A large white tent kept occasional sprinkles...

Catholic Charities’ Service Inspires Folio Awards

Written on 18 June 2025.

Stories highlighting two Catholic Charities of Long Island ministries were recognized in the 2025 Folio Awards competition honoring the best in news and media. Danielle Campbell, CCLI’s director of development and communications, was cited for...

Kellenberg Students Collect More Than 33,000 Diapers for Catholic Charities

Written on 06 June 2025.

More than 20 students, joined by other representatives of Kellenberg Memorial High School, came to Regina Maternity Residence in Merrick bearing diapers - 33,629 to be exact - on the Solemnity of the Ascension, May 29. The diapers were donated in...

Walking with Jesus on Newbridge Road

Written on 02 June 2025.

A cohort of executives, managers and staff members of Catholic Charities of Long Island, many wearing branded blue sweatshirts, processed three miles with dozens of other Catholics during Monday morning’s Eucharistic pilgrimage through East...

Seniors in Good Company at St. Joseph’s Celebration

Written on 19 May 2025.

Joan Cusumano began attending Catholic Charities of Long Island’s Oceanside Senior Community Center at St. Anthony’s parish eight months ago. That decision became “one of the best things that happened to me” following the death of her beloved...

Habemus Papam! We Have a Pope!

Written on 09 May 2025.

We rejoice with Catholics in America and across the world in the election of our new pope, the former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. For the first time in its 2,000-year history, the 1.4 billion-member worldwide Catholic Church will be led by an...

Poverty Simulation Shows Obstacles the Poor Face

Written on 10 April 2025.

Catholic Charities of Long Island presented a Poverty Simulation involving nearly 100 people taking roles as low-income family members and vendors in the community they encountered during a typical month in a fast-moving and frenetic environment...

YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR ‘PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE’ PARTY FRIDAY

Written on 04 April 2025.

Friends and supporters of Catholic Charities of Long Island know we’ve been promoting the Pizza with a Purpose campaign benefiting our Emergency Relief Fund for neighbors in need. What better time than Lent to think of others? In keeping with...

Seniors Pair Up with Students on the Dance Floor

Written on 30 March 2025.

Seniors and students enjoyed spending time together at an afternoon of music and dancing during the annual Spring Fling at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School. Differences in years melted away as the older and younger folks filled the dance floor...

Lidia Serves Up Food, Faith and Family for New Catholic Charities Show on CFN

Written on 25 March 2025.

Lidia Bastianich was a girl of 11 when she and her mother, father and brother arrived from Italy in 1958, and she’s never forgotten the help Catholic Charities provided after they came to New York. They were resettled in an apartment in North...

Confirmation Candidates at St. Raymond’s Collect Goods to Help Formerly Homeless in Catholic Charities Housing

Written on 18 March 2025.

Just before Lent began, 150 seventh- and eighth-graders at St. Raymond Parish in East Rockaway preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation learned about Catholic Charities of Long Island programs helping people with disabilities who...

Giving Thanks for Religious Sisters

Written on 10 March 2025.

Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, is a perfect time to give thanks for religious sisters serving in ministries of Catholic Charities of Long Island. Sister Lynn Caton, C.S.J., is clinical supervisor at Talbot House, CCLI’s residential...

Students Learn About Catholic Charities, Give Catholic Schools Week Service

Written on 04 February 2025.

Students at five Catholic elementary schools in the diocese learned more about Catholic Charities of Long Island, and did direct service for others, during Catholic Schools Week, January 27 to 31. It was the second consecutive year Catholic...

2024 Highlights of Our ‘Community of Caring’

Written on 04 January 2025.

A “community of caring” is being nurtured at Catholic Charities of Long Island. In 2025, we’d like to see this community continue to grow so we can help more of our needy and vulnerable neighbors on Long Island. Let’s accept the invitation of...

Christmas Celebration, Courtesy of Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, Was a Great Gift for Moms, Kids

Written on 26 December 2024.

The families of Catholic Charities of Long Island’s WIC program enjoyed a Christmas celebration to remember, courtesy of Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, at CCLI’s building on North Main Street in Freeport. The third floor was bustling with...

Years of Service to Neighbors in Need Add Up for Good at Catholic Charities

Written on 20 December 2024.

A total of 82 Catholic Charities of Long Island employees were recognized for five to 30 years of service, and CEO Mike Smith worked the calculations. Their cumulative service added up to a grand total of 940 years, Smith said at the 2024 Employee...

Talbot House Cook Serves Up Good Meals, Shares Recovery Journey

Written on 03 December 2024.

Nearly 10 years ago, a friend told Sal Guli III about an opening at Talbot House in Bohemia. He was out of work and looking to leave the restaurant business because he was tired of “being around people who were drinking or on something.” At the...

Newcomers to Long Island Learn About Healthy Lifestyles

Written on 16 October 2024.

The Catholic Charities of Long Island campus in Amityville hosted a daylong outdoor program promoting good health for recent arrivals to Long Island. The 100 participants from several countries of origin at the Oct. 11 Health Fair learned about a...

Community Service Honor for Our Lady of Fatima Parish Outreach

Written on 07 October 2024.

Receiving the Community Service Award at the Landmark Gala in Port Washington is a fitting tribute for Our Lady of Fatima Parish Outreach. Sister Kathy Somerville, O.P., who has served for 43 years as Parish Social Ministry director at Our Lady...

Clients Help One Another During National Recovery Month

Written on 02 October 2024.

Catholic Charities of Long Island observed National Recovery Month in September with a celebratory dinner at its Outpatient Clinic in Hampton Bays, based at St. Rosalie parish center. Staff members served 50 clients at a dining room set up to mark...

Collaboration Leads to Joyful Homecoming for Senior

Written on 16 September 2024.

It took Carolyn Lawrence a good long while to find a place to call home, and after just a few weeks at Harvest House, she says she is not going anywhere. Those with whom she shares her new home say she’s a completely different person now. Gone are...

Help Pat LaFontaine Score ‘Assist’ for Catholic Charities

Written on 10 September 2024.

New York Islanders legend Pat LaFontaine is stepping up for Catholic Charities of Long Island as the honoree of our 22nd annual Golf Classic taking place Monday, Sept. 30, at Huntington Crescent Club. The day has much to offer, including 18 holes...

We Are There

Written on 23 July 2024.

Catholic Charities of Long Island is a leading participant in We Are There, a national awareness campaign highlighting the life-giving services that Catholic Charities organizations across the United States share with their local communities. For...

She Moves Ahead, with God’s Support, in Therapy and Life

Written on 18 July 2024.

Pamela Parkes has been treated at Catholic Charities Mental Health Clinic in Bay Shore post-Covid. She didn’t arrive with a referral but had heard many good things about Catholic Charities. “Knowing the name in the community I felt comfortable...

In Step with History and Present in Italy

Written on 17 July 2024.

Rome is known as the Eternal City, for good reason. The designation comes to life as you trek along cobblestone streets, imagining others making similar journeys. A living history stretching back centuries and millennia exists side by side with...

Following Call of Matthew 25, Catholic Charities Hosts World Refugee Day

Written on 24 June 2024.

As the crowd arrived to mark World Refugee Day, most beelined for seats under the shade trees to beat the stifling afternoon heat. Later, a steady breeze cooled guests, who sat at tables while enjoying food, claiming raffle prizes, and playing...

Veteran of D-Day Invasion, 103, Saluted by Catholic Charities

Written on 14 June 2024.

Leonard Jindra was doubly honored on June 6—for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Omaha Beach at Normandy he undertook with the U.S. Army, and for his upcoming 103rd birthday. Jindra was surrounded by other members of VIP, a Catholic...