We continue here our series highlighting the members of the Priests for Life Family who serve or have served on our staff and pastoral team.
People who live on Staten Island consider themselves lucky to be able to work in the borough instead of having to commute to jobs in Manhattan or New Jersey. Angela Aspromonte was one of those lucky people, working for 25 years for attorneys on the Island.
“But after 25 years, I just got bored,” she says. “I wanted to do something more fulfilling.”
Angela found her way to the Priests for Life website and saw that the ministry was looking for a receptionist. She spoke to her pastor, Father Thomas Devery, then at Holy Child Parish on Staten Island, and he told her she would enjoy working for a ministry that, among other things, helps moms choose life for their babies.
With another job on Staten Island, Angela got lucky twice.
“My daughter thought I was crazy to leave my job but Father Tom wrote me a recommendation and I was hired!”
In addition to her duties as receptionist and helping with mailings, Angela was also entrusted with a very important task: “I watched the pups!” Executive Director Janet Morana’s two Shih Tzus, Georgio and Gianni, were often in the office and Angela kept a careful eye on them as they patrolled the halls.
Angela was with Priests for Life for 10 years and was very sad when the ministry moved to Florida.
“I just couldn’t make the move,” she says. “I thought about it but it was just not possible. My children and grandchildren are here.” Angela has two children, Krista Russo and John Aspromonte, and they each have two children: Michael, 14; Julianna, 10; John, 13, and Jenna, 12.
Angela says her co-workers were like family. She described Janet as “the heart of Priests for Life” and appreciated the way Janet “looked after everyone.”
She also enjoyed working for Father Frank Pavone, the national director.
“He was always very approachable, and when you get to know him, he is a very nice man.”
Now retired, Angela says, “I miss my Priests for Life family.”