By Nicole Falco
Holy Name of Mary's Church's Parish Outreach Program officially made the move to 65 East Jamaica Avenue, adjacent to the rectory, in July, and celebrated with a barbecue on the church's front lawn, but are only now putting the finishing touches on the former two-family home with a recently acquired certificate of occupancy in hand. The new location gives the Parish Outreach Program more room to offer its services and grow.
The dream began to become a reality approximately one year ago when the church found out that the former owner was interested in selling the property.
"We probably wouldn't have thought about it but it came to our attention that the building was to be sold and the location couldn't be any more convenient," said Sr. Margie Kelly, director of Parish Outreach.
Prior to the purchase, the food pantry had been located in the basement of the rectory and Parish Outreach offices were in the school. Now both are located in 65 East Jamaica Avenue along with a small living area for visiting priests.
"We knew it was a real value to get the property but we couldn't afford it to be a drain on the parish," Sr. Margie said.
As usual, volunteers offered to help. Monetary donations poured in from the community and the church was awarded a grant to purchase the property. The property was purchased in January and coincided with the beginning of the church's centennial anniversary celebrations. The church and numerous supporters then appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals in April to request a special use permit for the property, which it was granted two weeks later.
"It is very appropriate that it happened this year because it is a major step in the growth of this parish," Sr. Margie said.
The growth is not only literal but also spiritual. More than 20 volunteers including John Maher, John Owens, Edward McDonald, Tony Assante and Marianne Madden, actually helped renovate the property. The house was in good condition but needed some cosmetic work such as a fresh coat of paint. Skilled members of the parish donated other work, including electrical, plumbing and carpentry. The only renovation the parish had to actually pay for was the installation of a handicap-accessible ramp. Sr. Margie estimated that the work of donations saved the parish at least $50,000.
"I am in awe of the work that has been done...to know that this group [of volunteers] takes the gospel message to the neighborhood, its streets, avenues and homes is very edifying. As a person it leaves me in awe. As a pastor it is very comforting to know that part of the mission of this parish is being accomplished," said Father Thomas Harold, pastor.
Holy Name's outreach program serves approximately 4,000 Valley Stream families regardless of religious affiliation. Blessed Sacrament services the other half of the community.
Outreach services include a bereavement support group, employment services and "lots and lots" of referrals as well as home visits, shopping for the homebound and transportation to and from doctor appointments. In addition, approximately 35 homebound parishioners are afforded the opportunity to listen to Sunday Mass at home via a special telephone connection in an effort to keep them in touch with their religious community.
Holy Name and the St. Vincent de Paul Society work together to distribute food once a month to approximately 90 families in Valley Stream. Other churches in Valley Stream, local schools, residents and businesses donate the food. Food baskets are given out at holidays as well as Christmas presents. In all, the outreach program responds to several hundred phone calls each month.
Maher, 71, Owens, 73, Assante and McDonald, 75, are St. Vincent de Paul volunteers and Madden, 66, volunteers for Parish Outreach, but the two groups work so closely together that the line between them is often hard to draw. Additional volunteers are always welcome.
According to the volunteers, the good work they have the opportunity to do is contagious.
"[Former Pastor] Father Lature said to me one day, 'Are you doing anything? I'd like you to come over one day and help out [with parish outreach],' and I never left. It's all about the people you deal with," said McDonald, a 21-year volunteer.
Call (516) 825-0177 to volunteer, make a donation, or request services. With the holidays coming, food donations are appreciated.
