Father Kenneth Zach |
|
My story is a simple one, though it takes many turns. My Father, being in the Navy at the time, I was born in Jenkintown, Pa., just outside of Philadelphia, in October of 1955 (the only year the Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series). At six years of age, we found ourselves in Huntington, L.I. where I went to St. Hugh of Lincoln parish school, Holy Family High School and St. John’s University. It was at St. John’s that the vocation to priesthood was awakened through the Vincentians. I was accepted to Immaculate Conception Seminary, spent 4 very happy years there and was ordained to share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on 12 December 1981, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
My first assignment as deacon and priest was at St. Isidore’s with Msgr. (later Bishop) Alfred Markiewicz. After 8 years, I was sent to Rome for advanced studies in Canon Law, but after 18 months I realized that this was not for me and Bishop McGann, was gracious in allowing me to come home. Angry and disappointed in myself, I took some time off from the active ministry and on my return was assigned to St. Rose of Lima, Massapequa. Bishop Murphy asked me to return to Riverhead and St. Isidore as pastor in 2003 where I remained until he also asked me to return to St. Rose in 2008. Apparently, I am the first priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre to serve as associate pastor and later pastor in two assignments.
That brings me to the present day, when, after thirteen wonderful years at St. Rose Bishop Barres assigned me to become shepherd to the good people of the great parish of Good Shepherd. It is my honor to serve you and I have every hope of coming to form as close a relationship with many of you as I enjoyed at my previous assignments.
Peace be with you all, Fr. Ken Zach
Father Rudy Pesongco |
|
Father Rudy Pesongco was ordained a priest in his home parish in San Joaquin, Iloilo, Philippines in 1982. As a young priest, 26 years of age, he performed parish assignments which lead him to study in Rome where he completed a Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Theology.
After returning to the Philippines he taught courses in Catechetics and Pastoral Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary. While in the Philippines he was eventually assigned as the Director of ACCCE ( Archdiocesan Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education) and also responsible for the formation of volunteer Catechists of the Archdiocese of Jaro.
He arrived at the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 2002 and was assigned as an associate pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in East Northport by Bishop William Murphy.
In 2005, he was welcomed at the Church of St. Anne, Garden City as an associate pastor where he served under pastors Msgr. John Gilmartin and Msgr. Thomas Harold.
During his 13 year assignment at St. Anne’s, he has served his parish and community with distinction. He was involved with various ministry duties in the parish, the parish school and most of all dedicating his time to his local parishioners. He participated in faith formation for parish and public school students. He was also Chaplain of the Stewart Manor Fire Department, Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Nassau Chapter and the Catholic Daughters of America. He was also instrumental in coordinating the Men’s and Women’s Bible Study Group.
In 2013, he became a US Citizen and was officially Incardinated into the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
In a recent conversation with Father Rudy, he has expressed his excitement and desire to serve the needs of the Good Shepherd and along with Bishop Robert Coyle, he thanks God for this wonderful opportunity.
After returning to the Philippines he taught courses in Catechetics and Pastoral Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary. While in the Philippines he was eventually assigned as the Director of ACCCE ( Archdiocesan Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education) and also responsible for the formation of volunteer Catechists of the Archdiocese of Jaro.
He arrived at the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 2002 and was assigned as an associate pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in East Northport by Bishop William Murphy.
In 2005, he was welcomed at the Church of St. Anne, Garden City as an associate pastor where he served under pastors Msgr. John Gilmartin and Msgr. Thomas Harold.
During his 13 year assignment at St. Anne’s, he has served his parish and community with distinction. He was involved with various ministry duties in the parish, the parish school and most of all dedicating his time to his local parishioners. He participated in faith formation for parish and public school students. He was also Chaplain of the Stewart Manor Fire Department, Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Nassau Chapter and the Catholic Daughters of America. He was also instrumental in coordinating the Men’s and Women’s Bible Study Group.
In 2013, he became a US Citizen and was officially Incardinated into the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
In a recent conversation with Father Rudy, he has expressed his excitement and desire to serve the needs of the Good Shepherd and along with Bishop Robert Coyle, he thanks God for this wonderful opportunity.
Father Jerry Cestare |
|
As I reflect on my life at this point, I can say that there have been many experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. I have been very blessed with a wonderful family that has been my support and strength as long as I can remember. I come from a traditional Italian family, and was always taught the importance of keeping an open mind in any given situation. I have lived most of my life in Smithtown and found that the Church and God were always a foundation for my family. I am thankful to God that both my parents, and my brother Nick, his wife Suzanne, and their daughter-my goddaughter Jeanette are very involved in my life and been of great support to me as I have worked as a priest these past 25 years. My extended family has been by my side every step of the way as well. I received a Catholic High School education at St. Anthony’s High School and attended St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue and had incredible experiences of community and faith during those eight years. I attended retreats and youth group meetings and when in college began to volunteer as a youth minister in parishes around Long Island. I considered priesthood but never gave it much thought. As graduation approached, I was offered a job as a Youth Minister and deep down I really wanted to take the job, but realized it didn’t fit into the “neat little world” I had planned. A good friend recognized my desire to work in the Church and challenged me to take the position. I thought I would work for a year and “get it out of my system.” After two weeks on the job I had found my home in ministry in the Church and almost 10 years of full time Youth Ministry later, I entered the Seminary. I have worked for over 40 years now in many pastoral situations and, at the age of 55, I see the Church in a much broader light than ever before.
After ordination, I was assigned to Our Lady of Grace Parish, in West Babylon. I had the unique experience of coming to a parish as a newly ordained priest. In June of 2000, I was transferred to St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. I credit the Cathedral Parish with helping me to grow and mature as a priest and a Christian. During my time there I experienced the death of Bishop James McHugh and Bishop John R. McGann, the events surrounding our terrible loss encountered on September 11, the scandals in the Church as well as many other ministerial challenges. These difficult days helped me realize how important it was to gather people in community... to “Be the Body of Christ”.
In June of 2004, Bishop Murphy assigned me as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Valley Stream. I learned the great diversity of our Church seeking to meet the needs of the Spanish and Filipino Communities there. I went from Valley Stream to work as the chaplain to McGann Mercy High School and Stony Brook University. It was during this time that I lived as a resident here in Good Shepherd. These were 7 of the happiest years of my priesthood. I spent a short time at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Deer park and after becoming ill I came back to Good Shepherd to recuperate. From there I went to work at St. James Church in Setauket. During my ministry there I went into end stage kidney failure and spent a challenging 8 months on dialysis until a wonderful parishioner who I was preparing for marriage, got tested without me knowing and discovered that she was a perfect donor match! In January I had the transplant which was a great success. I contracted the COVID 19 virus shortly after, but have fully recovered as well. The doctors are thrilled with my recovery and feel I'm ready to ease back into ministry. I love being a priest. I especially love being a priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. At times I am challenged in this changing Church. I believe that we must be positive and open to the work of the Spirit as we continue to serve the Lord with gladness. We are part of a wonderful Church. It is only when each one of us, uniquely gifted by our loving God, brings our gift to the table that we truly reflect the beauty of the Body of Christ. This process of being challenged has forced me to articulate who I am and credibly substantiate my values and beliefs. I use this opportunity to once again give thanks to God, to Bishop Barres, our Pastor Bishop Coyle, and to you, the beautiful spirited people of Good Shepherd, who will continue to offer me the privilege of an assignment where I can work, study, pray, and grow closer to the Lord.
What a joy to return to Good Shepherd!
What a joy to be HOME AGAIN!
Love,
Fr. Jerry Cestare (THE FIRST ONE!)
After ordination, I was assigned to Our Lady of Grace Parish, in West Babylon. I had the unique experience of coming to a parish as a newly ordained priest. In June of 2000, I was transferred to St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. I credit the Cathedral Parish with helping me to grow and mature as a priest and a Christian. During my time there I experienced the death of Bishop James McHugh and Bishop John R. McGann, the events surrounding our terrible loss encountered on September 11, the scandals in the Church as well as many other ministerial challenges. These difficult days helped me realize how important it was to gather people in community... to “Be the Body of Christ”.
In June of 2004, Bishop Murphy assigned me as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Valley Stream. I learned the great diversity of our Church seeking to meet the needs of the Spanish and Filipino Communities there. I went from Valley Stream to work as the chaplain to McGann Mercy High School and Stony Brook University. It was during this time that I lived as a resident here in Good Shepherd. These were 7 of the happiest years of my priesthood. I spent a short time at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Deer park and after becoming ill I came back to Good Shepherd to recuperate. From there I went to work at St. James Church in Setauket. During my ministry there I went into end stage kidney failure and spent a challenging 8 months on dialysis until a wonderful parishioner who I was preparing for marriage, got tested without me knowing and discovered that she was a perfect donor match! In January I had the transplant which was a great success. I contracted the COVID 19 virus shortly after, but have fully recovered as well. The doctors are thrilled with my recovery and feel I'm ready to ease back into ministry. I love being a priest. I especially love being a priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. At times I am challenged in this changing Church. I believe that we must be positive and open to the work of the Spirit as we continue to serve the Lord with gladness. We are part of a wonderful Church. It is only when each one of us, uniquely gifted by our loving God, brings our gift to the table that we truly reflect the beauty of the Body of Christ. This process of being challenged has forced me to articulate who I am and credibly substantiate my values and beliefs. I use this opportunity to once again give thanks to God, to Bishop Barres, our Pastor Bishop Coyle, and to you, the beautiful spirited people of Good Shepherd, who will continue to offer me the privilege of an assignment where I can work, study, pray, and grow closer to the Lord.
What a joy to return to Good Shepherd!
What a joy to be HOME AGAIN!
Love,
Fr. Jerry Cestare (THE FIRST ONE!)