Helping people has always been part of Deacon Chris Costigan’s life. He is a fourth generation member of the Oceanside Fire Department, where he has been a firefighter and an emergency medical technician. He thought about becoming a priest on and off growing up in Nassau County, where he attended St. Chris-topher Elementary School in Baldwin and Chaminade High School in Mineola.

Deacon Costigan was an altar server at St. Christopher’s, and while he was studying law and political science at Notre Dame University, he became very involved in serving at the basilica there. He coordinated liturgies and got to know the Holy Cross fathers and seminarians at the school. That involvement in the liturgy influenced him to begin seriously talking with the vocation director at the school and here in the diocese, he said.

After he graduated from Notre Dame, he worked on an ambulance crew for the Baldwin Fire District for about a year until he entered Immaculate Conception Seminary in September, 2003. His experience in emergency services should come in handy during his priesthood, since he is used to answering calls in the middle of the night, and more importantly, has “learned to deal with people going through stressful situations.”

“I have to be prepared to get thrown into different situations and deal with them,” he said. “I am adaptable, easy going. Wherever I’m assigned, it will be easy to fit in.”

Deacon Christopher Costigan prepares the altar during the Chrism Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre, in March. TLIC photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

Deacon Costigan points to the inspiration of two priests in particular: Father Robert Romeo, who came to St. Christopher’s parish as a newly-ordained priest when Costigan was seven, and Father Tom Fusco, pastor at St. Edward’s in Syosset. Deacon Costigan served and lived at St. Edward’s during his pastoral year at the seminary.
“I was impressed by their overall love of the priesthood,” he said. “They seemed so happy in what they were doing.”

A big Notre Dame football fan, Deacon Costigan also roots for the Islanders, Yankees and Jets and tries to get to a couple of games each season, although life in the seminary hasn’t left much time for that. Some of his friends reacted with disbelief when he told them he was becoming a priest, but they have all gotten used to the idea now.
He also has a new group of friends in his seminary classmates. With their varied ages and backgrounds, they complement each other, he said. “If one of us is lacking a gift, another has it. Everyone has their strengths and different experiences.”

His pastoral year at St. Edward’s and the last few months assisting on weekends at St. James, Setauket have provided valuable experiences for the young man, especially when it comes to preaching. “I am always trying to get feedback on my preaching,” he said.