One of the most important events in a young Catholic’s life is his or her First Holy Communion. To go along with this special occasion of receiving Jesus for the first time in the Eucharist, girls wear a pretty new white dress and boys wear a new blue or white suit with a tie. First Communion outfits can be expensive and many families just don’t have the money to buy them. It’s difficult because for a child to receive First Communion, it shouldn’t be considered a financial burden, but one of the most joyful days in the life of a child and their families. The Communion Closet seeks to solve this problem for families in need on Long Island. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences and the Diocesan Council Office in Bethpage are seeking donations of gently used communion outfits this spring. In early March of 2022, we will host a Communion Closet “shopping event” where families in need can shop for a special outfit for their child – free of charge.
Participating Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Conferences around Long Island will have scheduled collection days, which will be posted on our website. The Central Council will host a collection day on June 30th. Donations can also be dropped at our Thrift Stores in Garden City Park and Huntington. The participating conferences are:
Nassau County
Holy Name of Mary
Valley Stream
New Hyde Park
Our Lady of Hope
Carle Place
Our Lady of Victory
Floral Park
St. Agnes
Rockville Centre
St. Anthony
Oceanside
St. Boniface
Elmont
Farmingdale
St. Martin of Tours
Bethpage
St. Mary of the Isle
Long Beach
St. Mary’s
Manhasset
St. Raphael
East Meadow
Suffolk County
Babylon
St. Edward the Confessor
Syosset
St. Patrick
Huntington
St. Peter the Apostle/St. Mary
Islip
St. Rosalie
Hampton Bays