PD News

Dispatch Correspondent

Although the hallways and classrooms of the former Seton Catholic High School building have been closed to students for several years, the building is more hectic, more helpful, and more spirited than ever. That is, if you pay a visit on a Wednesday evening.

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Bishop Bambera greets people in the old Seton Catholic School while blessing rooms in the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic.

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Bishop Joesph Bambera, blesses a room dedicated in memory of Jane Finan as Msgr. John Bendik looks on and Matthew and Lauren Lanzendorfer assist in the old Seton Catholic High School building in Pittston Wednesday evening.

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And that’s exactly what Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton did on July 21. He was to discover just what all the commotion was about.

A collaboration of four different organizations, supervised by the St. John the Evangelist Parish Community, has helped turned Seton into a kind of community aid center. The Care and Concern Free Health Clinic, The Greater Pittston Food Pantry, The Greater Pittston Kid’s Closet, and the newly-opened Pediatric Clinic are all operating under one roof and everyone involved is thrilled with the results.

The hallways bustle with a continuous chorus of volunteers asking, “Can I help?” and “Is there anything you need me to do?” And although the work is hard and no one in the building is making a cent, everyone seems to be smiling.

Bishop Bambera came into this spirited assembly to dedicate and bless the new examination rooms opened by the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic and also to tour the Kid’s Closet, Food Pantry, and the new Pediatric Clinic, celebrating its grand opening.

The new exam rooms for the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic were dedicated in memory of Jane Finan, the mother of Dr. Mary Sewatsky, who volunteers her time at the Clinic. Construction funds for the new rooms were donated in memory of Mrs. Finan, and additional funding came from a state grant.

Gloria Blandina, Director of the Free Health Clinic, was excited to see the new exam rooms open and also to be part of such a helpful community.

“It’s very humbling and heartwarming to see all these wonderful ministries coming together,” she said. “This place works because of the volunteers and the love they share for other people.”

She continued by speaking of the building’s new purpose: “It’s unfortunate that this school had to close, but it’s fortunate that the school has been helpful to so many people.”

Deacon Jim Cortegerone echoed Blandina’s thoughts on Seton’s new tenants. “We’ve seen more than 2,400 people here, and we’re only open one night a week!” he said. “This school was put here to service children and provide for the future, and that’s exactly what it’s still doing.”

Deacon Jim was also quick to point out how many different individuals were helping the cause. “Everyone here is a volunteer,” said Cortegerone. “No one is getting paid, and they’re not strictly from our parish either. They come from all parts of the area.”

Monsignor John Bendik, pastor, was also proud of the work being done. “This is fantastic and we’re very grateful to the Bishop for being here,” said Bendik. “This is really a wonderful ministry to help the people of the community.”

While many of the volunteers spoke of hard economic times driving the need for health care ever higher, The Greater Pittston Food Pantry is also seeing more demand for its services. Audrey O’Brien explained that 705 families were now registered with the Pantry and that they typically see 50 to 60 families every week. “We have 20 dedicated volunteers that help to load shelves and make sure that there’s food for everyone in our area,” she stated.

Carl Boos, also volunteering for the Food Pantry, added that a wide variety of food is available through the Pantry, as well as a range of other items, including dog and cat food, tissues, toothpaste, and toilet paper.

Susan Lombardo heads The Greater Pittston Kid’s Closet, which also boasts impressive service figures: 450 children from 230 families have received clothes from the Closet and that number is only expected to rise in the coming months.

“It’s going very well and we’ve only been open a year, April 1st,” said Lombardo. “Families can come once a month and pick up to 7 outfits for their child, no questions asked.”

The “no questions asked” mantra is repeated throughout the halls, joined closely by “free of charge” and “no refusals.” According to Dr. Michael Imbrogno, that’s one of the biggest reasons why he became involved with the new Pediatric Clinic.

“Our goal is to provide health care for children who can not obtain it otherwise,” he said. “There are a lot of children who can’t get health care because it’s difficult to afford, but also, there are simply not enough pediatricians in the area, so this project is very important.”

The Pediatric Clinic was assisted greatly by a generous donation from the Colleen Shea Foundation, and Patti Prociak, the Foundation’s chairperson, felt strongly about the connection between her organization and the new clinic.

“This endeavor was a combination of fate and faith,” said Prociak. “It’s a wonderful feeling for our Foundation to be part of such a great endeavor that goes hand in hand with our mission.”

All of the volunteers were extremely grateful for the gracious support of the community and spoke of how thrilled they were by the public’s assistance in helping those who had fallen into hard times.

After Bishop Bambera had concluded his tour of the entire facility, he was visibly excited at the growing success of the Care and Concern operation. The Bishop quoted the Gospel passage about Jesus teaching the importance of healing those who are sick, clothing those who need clothes, and feeding those who are hungry.

Bishop Bambera expressed his belief that the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic, The Food Pantry, The Greater Pittston Kid’s Closet, and the Care and Concern Pediatric Clinic were personifying these teachings. “This is the Church at its best!” he said. “If you want to know what the Church should be doing, come here.”