Most Rev. Robert J. Coyle, D.D.
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Bishop Robert J. Coyle is a native Long Islander and is honored to again serve the people of Long Island.
Bishop Robert J. Coyle serves as an Auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. In his duties he assists the Bishop of Rockville Centre serving as the Episcopal Vicar of the Eastern Vicariate, that comprises 34 parishes in the eastern part of Long Island. Bishop Coyle also serves as Pastor of Good Shepherd Church. Bishop Coyle reported to the diocese as an Auxiliary bishop on 2 April 2018 and took up residence as pastor on 27 June 2018.
Bishop Coyle was ordained to the priesthood on 25 May 1991 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY. He went on to serve as associate pastor at St. Dominic Church in Oyster Bay, NY and St. Patrick Church in Glen Cove, NY.
In 1999 then Father Coyle, a Navy reserve chaplain was recalled to active duty as a Navy Chaplain. He served several tours with the US Navy and US Marine Corps. Stationed in the Far East, Middle East and the Mediterranean where he deployed multiple times in support of units assigned to overseas operations including: Operations: Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and Landing Force CARAT. His shipboard assignments included the USS HARRY S TRUMAN and the USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER, aircraft carriers based out of Norfolk, Virginia. While assigned to the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, Japan he was chaplain to the Combat Assault Battalion. Stateside he served in Norfolk, Virginia and the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. While on active duty, Pope Benedict XVI named then Monsignor Coyle, a Chaplain to His Holiness in recognition of his outstanding service to the Navy and Marine Corps as a chaplain.
Returning to Long Island in the fall of 2009, then Msgr. Coyle served as pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Mineola, NY until being appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an Auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, based in Washington, D.C. on 11 February 2013. Bishop Coyle was ordained a bishop on 25 April 2013 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Bishop Coyle then served as an Auxiliary bishop and Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Half of the United States Military which included 80 military bases and chapel communities. After serving 25 years as a Navy Chaplain on active and reserve duty and an additional 5 years as a military bishop, Bishop Coyle was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as an Auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Rockville Centre on 20 February 2018. Bishop Coyle reported to the diocese on 2 April, 2018.
Bishop Robert J. Coyle now serves in his capacity as Auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre, as Vicar of the Eastern Vicariate and pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Holbrook, New York.
Bishop Robert J. Coyle serves as an Auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. In his duties he assists the Bishop of Rockville Centre serving as the Episcopal Vicar of the Eastern Vicariate, that comprises 34 parishes in the eastern part of Long Island. Bishop Coyle also serves as Pastor of Good Shepherd Church. Bishop Coyle reported to the diocese as an Auxiliary bishop on 2 April 2018 and took up residence as pastor on 27 June 2018.
Bishop Coyle was ordained to the priesthood on 25 May 1991 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY. He went on to serve as associate pastor at St. Dominic Church in Oyster Bay, NY and St. Patrick Church in Glen Cove, NY.
In 1999 then Father Coyle, a Navy reserve chaplain was recalled to active duty as a Navy Chaplain. He served several tours with the US Navy and US Marine Corps. Stationed in the Far East, Middle East and the Mediterranean where he deployed multiple times in support of units assigned to overseas operations including: Operations: Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and Landing Force CARAT. His shipboard assignments included the USS HARRY S TRUMAN and the USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER, aircraft carriers based out of Norfolk, Virginia. While assigned to the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, Japan he was chaplain to the Combat Assault Battalion. Stateside he served in Norfolk, Virginia and the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. While on active duty, Pope Benedict XVI named then Monsignor Coyle, a Chaplain to His Holiness in recognition of his outstanding service to the Navy and Marine Corps as a chaplain.
Returning to Long Island in the fall of 2009, then Msgr. Coyle served as pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Mineola, NY until being appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an Auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, based in Washington, D.C. on 11 February 2013. Bishop Coyle was ordained a bishop on 25 April 2013 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Bishop Coyle then served as an Auxiliary bishop and Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Half of the United States Military which included 80 military bases and chapel communities. After serving 25 years as a Navy Chaplain on active and reserve duty and an additional 5 years as a military bishop, Bishop Coyle was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as an Auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Rockville Centre on 20 February 2018. Bishop Coyle reported to the diocese on 2 April, 2018.
Bishop Robert J. Coyle now serves in his capacity as Auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre, as Vicar of the Eastern Vicariate and pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Holbrook, New York.
Father Rudy Pesongco |
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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 DiSpigno |
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Our Lady of Guadalupe has become my favorite image of the Blessed Mother because here she is pregnant with Jesus and joyfully brings Him to the world. We too have the same gift and opportunity when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Jesus comes into us and we bring Him to our world. I had the great privilege of being ordained on her feast day December 12, 1981.
My parents Joseph and Mildred have been daily communicants for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Rocky Point my three brothers and sister often argued with my parents because we did not want to go to church because it was boring and the priests didn't speak English, and the ones that did, didn't speak to us. My dad would remind us that we went to Church for Jesus, not for the priests nor anyone else for that matter.
It was the example of the Sisters of the Atonement who reminded us school children that there was a joyful God who loved us. After graduating Saint Anthony High School I pursued a degree in special education at Loyola College (now University) in Maryland. It was there through the encouragement of my friends, teachers and Jesuits that I discerned my call to the priesthood and entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington in 1977.
On April 1, 1981 a young deacon landed on the steps of Mary Immaculate Church in Bellport and served as a deacon and later a priest for three years. Following Bellport I have served in Saint Hugh of Lincoln in Huntington Station, Saint Mary in East Islip, Saint Christopher in Baldwin and Maria Regina in Seaford. In 2003 I was called to return to Bellport to succeed the pastor I had lived with upon his death. Twelve years later I was asked to be the pastor of Saint Gerard in Port Jefferson Station where I served since last March.
Retreat ministry to the young and old, to people in the mainstream and on the edge have been the crux of my ministry. I presently have been serving as a chaplain at the Yaphank prisons and often give retreats with the marginalized and mentally ill. I've given many directed retreats, at home retreats, and been a spiritual director and run a retreat house for priests. As this ministry began to take form in my life I went to study at the Jesuit School of theology in Berkeley, Saint Bonaventure (where currently one of my brothers Fr. Francis, is the campus minister and VP) and received a masters of spirituality and spiritual direction from Immaculate Conception Seminary in 1995.
Like Our Lady of Guadalupe all of us are called to share Jesus with the world. Each of us receive Him in the Eucharist which unites us to God and one another and are reminded of Gods great love for us .
These past six months I have been living a monastic schedule as a hermit in a hermitage built for priests over 20 years ago. The call to pray for priests has been heavy on my heart for many years and I asked Bishop Barres for some time away from the parish to live as a hermit in prayer. As you know the need to pray for priests and our Church is indeed important. All of us must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not get consumed by the misdirection of the winds and waves of our time.
I am delighted to come to the parish of the Good Shepherd to share my experience of God’s love as well as to listen to yours so together we will grow in the love God. Together we will experience the Love of God and come to experience JOY by loving Jesus, Others, Yourself.
Let us remember each other in prayer and at the altar daily.
Blessings Galore,
Father Jerry DiSpigno
My parents Joseph and Mildred have been daily communicants for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Rocky Point my three brothers and sister often argued with my parents because we did not want to go to church because it was boring and the priests didn't speak English, and the ones that did, didn't speak to us. My dad would remind us that we went to Church for Jesus, not for the priests nor anyone else for that matter.
It was the example of the Sisters of the Atonement who reminded us school children that there was a joyful God who loved us. After graduating Saint Anthony High School I pursued a degree in special education at Loyola College (now University) in Maryland. It was there through the encouragement of my friends, teachers and Jesuits that I discerned my call to the priesthood and entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington in 1977.
On April 1, 1981 a young deacon landed on the steps of Mary Immaculate Church in Bellport and served as a deacon and later a priest for three years. Following Bellport I have served in Saint Hugh of Lincoln in Huntington Station, Saint Mary in East Islip, Saint Christopher in Baldwin and Maria Regina in Seaford. In 2003 I was called to return to Bellport to succeed the pastor I had lived with upon his death. Twelve years later I was asked to be the pastor of Saint Gerard in Port Jefferson Station where I served since last March.
Retreat ministry to the young and old, to people in the mainstream and on the edge have been the crux of my ministry. I presently have been serving as a chaplain at the Yaphank prisons and often give retreats with the marginalized and mentally ill. I've given many directed retreats, at home retreats, and been a spiritual director and run a retreat house for priests. As this ministry began to take form in my life I went to study at the Jesuit School of theology in Berkeley, Saint Bonaventure (where currently one of my brothers Fr. Francis, is the campus minister and VP) and received a masters of spirituality and spiritual direction from Immaculate Conception Seminary in 1995.
Like Our Lady of Guadalupe all of us are called to share Jesus with the world. Each of us receive Him in the Eucharist which unites us to God and one another and are reminded of Gods great love for us .
These past six months I have been living a monastic schedule as a hermit in a hermitage built for priests over 20 years ago. The call to pray for priests has been heavy on my heart for many years and I asked Bishop Barres for some time away from the parish to live as a hermit in prayer. As you know the need to pray for priests and our Church is indeed important. All of us must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not get consumed by the misdirection of the winds and waves of our time.
I am delighted to come to the parish of the Good Shepherd to share my experience of God’s love as well as to listen to yours so together we will grow in the love God. Together we will experience the Love of God and come to experience JOY by loving Jesus, Others, Yourself.
Let us remember each other in prayer and at the altar daily.
Blessings Galore,
Father Jerry DiSpigno
Father Jerry Cestare |
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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!)