By Andrew Hackmack
"I really wanted to stay in Valley Stream," Cestare said. "I really like the work I'm doing as pastor and the people I work with."At the same time, he is excited about his next challenge which will allow him to work closely with the youth of the diocese. He has 25 years experience working in youth ministry, since even before he was ordained a priest.
Cestare arrived at Blessed Sacrament Church five years ago with a lot of dreams. His biggest accomplishment, he said, was a renovation of the parish's facilities including the cafeteria, kitchen, youth center, meeting rooms, music suite, parish library, thrift store and several offices. The school also received numerous upgrades and the landscaping around the property was beautified, he said.
The construction has made the parish safer, cleaner and more user-friendly, Cestare noted.
The parish, which serves about 3,600 families, has become more culturally diverse during the past five years. He said the church has worked to foster a level of respect and understanding between the different cultures. The church offers a Spanish mass and bi-lingual liturgies.
After he was ordained, Cestare's first assignment was at Our Lady of Grace in West Babylon. He then moved on to St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre before becoming a pastor in Valley Stream. As the leader of Blessed Sacrament Church, Cestare has worked to make decisions that are informed and in everyone's best interest. "It's not easy being the boss," he said. "As a pastor, the buck stops with you. It's not always easy to make everybody happy."
Administrative work is a big part of his job and can be a distraction from his religious work, Cestare admits. "We're priests first," he said. "The sacraments -- that's our first responsibility."
Whenever the paperwork got to be a little to much, Cestare said he would take a break and walk over to the school. Seeing the children learning and sharing their faith would always bring a smile to his face, and remind him the time spent doing all the administrative duties is for a good reason.
Cestare has become well-known in the community for his annual Christmas nativity display, which takes up an entire corner of the church during advent. Thousands of people from all over the region would come to see the display. He plans to continue this at his new home parish. "It will be bigger every year," he promised.
The materials for the Christmas display, which includes thousands of buildings, figurines and accessories, will be the biggest amount of stuff he has to move, in addition to his collection of Pez dispensers and bobbleheads. "I came here in a tractor trailer -- I may leave here with two," Cestare said. "Jesus told his apostles to pack light. I haven't learned that yet."
As chaplain at Bishop McGann Mercy High School, Cestare will lead mass each day for the students, as well as retreats, days of reflection and prayer, and seasonal activities. He will also serve as an advocate for the students, or just be there as a "shoulder to cry on."
The school, which has about 500 students in grades 7-12, is only one of three diocesan high schools on Long Island. It was formerly a Sisters of Mercy high school and the diocese of Rockville Centre became a partner in 2002.
Cestare will also serve as the newly-created associate vocation director for the diocese. The purpose will be to create dialogue with those who might be interested in joining the priesthood, or another career in religious life such as a brother or sister. "It's a new approach that we're encouraged about," he said. "Most priests will tell you that they became a priest because somebody invited them to consider it."
He praised Bishop William Murphy for committing the necessary resources to reach out to young people in the diocese. The goal, Cestare said, is to show that the priesthood is a viable career option. "There's a saying," Cestare said. "The best vocation poster is a happy priest."
Cestare is certainly a happy priest. He leaves Blessed Sacrament with many memories and a positive view of the community. The village in particular, he said, has been extremely supportive over the past five years. "I've never had that experience before a priest where a local government would believe in the local churches," Cestare said. "My experiences living in this village has been a real joy. I see a bright future for Valley Stream and I'll enjoy coming back to visit."
