Phyllis Bedani, 49, who has Down syndrome, loves to spend time with people — and dance to music with many of them.
For the past 13 years, Phyllis has danced with friends as a resident of Giuliano House in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township. She’s been able to live a full life at the group home for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, which is operated by the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) of Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese.
Fully mobile but nonverbal, Phyllis receives full-time care at the Giuliano House, where she enjoys interacting with everyone in her sweet manner. She attends DPD’s day program and Mass regularly at home, said Joseph Bedani, Phyllis’ brother.
“The Giuliano House staff loves Phyllis, who is outgoing. They are so loving and give her the best care possible,” said Bedani, who noted they come from a devout Catholic family. “For us, it’s important that Phyllis be present at Mass, even if she doesn’t understand. It enables her to be part of the Catholic community and the Church.”
DPD helps integrate about 300 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the community to become productive members of society and to live with dignity.
The Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA) supports DPD and Catholic Charities’ other two agencies — Catholic Family and Community Services and Straight & Narrow, which provide countless services to thousands in the diocese. DPD operates 10 group homes and a supervised apartment program in Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties.
In addition, DPD runs the Gruenert Center, a day habilitation program for men and women in Lake Hopatcong, and provides spiritual, social, educational, and enrichment programs. It also helps those with developmental disabilities living with families by providing referrals. DPD also hosts recreational activities and community groups for individuals in its programs and those living with families in the community.
“DPD is a great place to work. It’s a calling. It’s filled with faith and love. Every day, the staff is dedicated and faithful. They want to see our clients do well. We are all family,” said Joanna Miller, DPD executive director. “The staff also sees the love of the individuals they serve. You can’t leave our residences or programs without a smile. They are wonderful individuals who enrich all our lives.”
The DMA also supports seminarian education; priests’ healthcare needs; Nazareth Village, the retired priests’ residence in Chester; and inner-city Catholic elementary education.
DPD opened in 1965 as a program to support young children with special needs and their families when few to no services were available.
Bedani and his parents cared for Phyllis at a home in upstate New York until their mother died in 2001. Then, Phyllis moved to a local state-run home. The siblings’ uncle, the late Msgr. Mark Giordani, former rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, helped arrange for Phyllis to be transferred to DPD. Msgr. Giordani was an enthusiastic Catholic Charities supporter.
“We are grateful to Bishop Kevin Sweeney and all the faithful in our Diocese for their continued support of DPD and the important work we do to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their lives to the fullest with dignity and respect,” said Miller. “Their support of the Diocesan Ministries Appeal enables us to continually provide the highest quality of care to those with differing abilities living and working in our local communities.”
Please consider participating in the DMA. To donate or pledge online, scan the Q.R. code or visit 2024appeal.org. For more information, call 973-777-8818, ext. 215.
