From the Summer 2008 Edition of Clippings Magazine

by Joan J.Wolf

Deacon Chris Sisinni

When fate steps in, good things sometimes happen, and that’s how Chris Sisinni came to OLQM – first as Youth Minister and then as Deacon.

A priest friend who had spent his Pastoral Year at OLQM introduced Chris to Fr. Ryan and that is where fate stepped in. Chris was involved in the Youth Ministry program at his home parish, St. Raphael’s in East Meadow, and we were in need of a Youth Minister. Fr. Ryan was very impressed with this young man and asked if he would be interested in joining us. With the okay of Chris’ pastor, the deed was done. At this time, Chris was in the last year of his Diaconate.

Chris has been married for twenty years to his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Ellen. They are the parents of three children, Matthew 18, a freshman at Johns Hopkins University and 16 year old twins, daughter, Taylor, a student at East Meadow High School and son, Dylan, who attends Bishop Kellenberg Memorial High School.

Chris decided to study for the role of deacon while he was attending the Pastoral Formation Institute, feeling that God was calling him for more service. The opportunity to preach, as well as perform marriages, baptisms, and assist at funerals, also appealed to him. His commitment to the program was for five years that included workshops and other studies, and certainly required the moral support of his wife, Ruth Ellen, who was with him all the way. He was ordained deacon in 2001 at St. Raphael’s and shortly after, came to OLQM to assist Msgr. Ryan. His deaconate here has become a family affair: son Matthew and daughter Taylor have been altar servers, and on occasion have done readings at funerals where he was involved.

Chris believes he is here to minister to the youth in any way possible. He stresses the corporal works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, building shelters for the homeless and visiting the aged and sick. Through this ministry, we help feed people from Pronto, Madonna Heights and local soup kitchens. The youth ministry is concerned with all persons under the age of eighteen, and coordinates a variety of activities, such as Sunday youth Masses, visits to Paumanock Village in Greenlawn, where the elderly are entertained with games and socializing, and planting flower gardens at Madonna Heights, a facility residence in Dix Hills for women in crisis.

For the past eight years, Chris has brought a group of children to Nazareth Farm in West Virginia for one week. They stay at the farm where they mix with other children from around the country who are there for the same purpose… to help the poverty stricken people in that area of Appalachia. This is also a spiritual experience on which their relationship with God is based on four cornerstones – prayer, simplicity, community and service. Strong relationships are built during this time since they eat, pray and work together as one with all other children.

When the group went to Nicaragua, Fr. Ryan asked Chris to go along as an observer. Since more students have been participating, he wanted the Youth Minister’s perspective on things. This was Chris’ first visit and he was truly amazed at what is being done there. “They’re making miracles occur.” Though he was there chiefly to observe, he also lead prayer, acted as a driver, when needed, and, because of his building experience, he was of help at the construction site. Chris noted the similarities between the people in Nicaragua and those in Appalachia. Though they live simply, they have tremendous joy, and that in a way, is probably because they do not have those things that tend to isolate people. The children who participate come back with a new sense of what true joy is all about – love, fellowship, friends, and sharing.

Chris’ comments on his life at OLQM: "I think it is amazing how God utilizes us each in a special way. If, twenty years ago, I had been told that this would be the direction my life would take, I wouldn’t have believed it. But God leads us in mysterious ways. For instance, when I preach I feel it is such an incredible experience and when people tell me that I have touched them in some way…well, I’m like, ‘It wasn’t me!’. God uses me – he points the way and I follow it. I say, ‘God, what do you want people to hear this week?’ Then I’ll be involved with something and suddenly all these thoughts will come into my head. ‘God, is this what you want people to hear this week?' It works for me. It works for that. So far, so good!"