“Sorry, we can’t help you.” “We have a waiting list of 5 years.”
“We are not the right people to call.”….
These are the responses the sisters received as they tried to find an appropriate living situation for their brother who was legally blind and developmentally disabled. You see, a few weeks prior, their parents, both 51, were killed in a tragic car crash on their way to work. Not only were the sisters (20 and 25 years old respectively) grieving the traumatic loss of their wonderful parents, they were now facing the challenge of finding the best care for their beloved brother, Frank, who was 28 years old at the time. They were not having any luck. Until one day, one of the sisters approached the pastor of their church and asked for help. He said he could not help directly but told her to go see the pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church in Flanders. As she entered Flanders, she saw a beautiful parish and rectory. At the rectory, she met with Msgr. Wehrlen, whom unbeknownst to her, started the Department for Persons with Disabilities 25 years earlier. She poured out her heart and soul about their parents and brother. Many tears were shed. Moved by her story, Msgr Wehrlen told her that he would pick her up the next day and they would visit some people to whom she could tell her story. The next day, Msgr. picked her up and they set off to Jefferson. After a beautiful ride on tree-lined roads, they pulled into 1 Catholic Charities Way where they met with Julie Tatti and Tom Barrett. Upon hearing the family’s desperate situation and making a home visit, Tom and Julie assured the sisters that they could help. And the rest is history…
Frank was with Catholic Charities for 25 years. From living in the first Basile home in Paterson where he roomed with Robert, Bill and Bobby, to many years in Basile in Wayne with an outstanding staff and roommates, Frank has had an amazing life as part of the Catholic Charities family. Living in a supervised apartment with his peers brought out the best in Frank. He blossomed as an individual as he began to live more independently. From spending time with his roommates, to many picnics and dances , to trips to Atlantic City or to see his favorite baseball teams with the guys and the staff, to walks to Kmart, Sam Goody’s and Burger King, to his Sprout trips, to going to CARE at St. Thomas church, and working at the Hoehne ARC, Frank bloomed.
Even in the final days of Frank’s life, Catholic Charities continued to shine through as a source of love, comfort and strength for Frank and his family. By moving him to a home where he received both daily and overnight care from an incredible staff, in addition to frequent visits by Scott, Joanna, nurse Annie and the staff and guys from Basile, Frank was surrounded by love, compassion and light in the last stage of his life.
Thank you to the Department for Persons with Disabilities and Catholic Charities Families for being a source of Amazing Grace to our family. Thank you for helping Frank blossom and bloom.
With every act of love and kindness, DPD, Catholic Charities, truly brings “God’s Kingdom Come…”.