Teens Raising Dough to Go to NCYC

Newly ordained Father Tom Vassalotti, celebrated a 9 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17, at his former parish of St. Andrew the Apostle, Bay Ridge. After Mass, he snacked on homemade brownies baked by members of the parish’s Life Teen youth ministry, pictured with Father Vassalotti, from left, Shanna Sapienza, Francesca Teora, Cathy Anne Heywood, Karen Meinecke, Catherine and Steven Amore.

Life Teen members raised about $800 from selling brownies after all of the weekend Masses, June 16 - 17. These funds will go toward the cost of sending 15 teens from the parish to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 8 - 10. The conference theme is “Discover the Way/Descrube el Camino.”

The conference is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes general sessions and workshops addressing a wide variety of topics as well as opportunities for reconciliation, daily liturgy, and special activities, such as concerts, a dance, comedy club and interactive theme park.

Teenagers around the diocese are encouraged to attend the conference, which is expected to draw over 20,000 Catholic youth from across the country. The diocesan Office of Faith Formation is organizing a local contingent. The cost per person is $450 for transportation, accommodations and conference fees.

Partial diocesan scholarships are available through the Alive in Hope Foundation and the Faith Formation Office. To register for the conference or obtain a scholarship application, contact Marilyn Santos, 718-281-9584 or msantos@rcdob.org. Scholarship applications are due July 2.

Xaverian’s Alumni Director Retires

On June 1, Sigfried Heiles retired from his post as alumni director at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge, after 18 years of dedicated service in the Alumni Office.
Xaverian has been the center of Heiles’ life. It is where he received his high school education, 1960-64; met his wife Nancy, coordinator of the school’s International Baccalaureate program; and watched his son and daughter receive their educations: Ander is a Xaverian ’04 alumnus and Sonja is a Genesis ’02 alumna.
In his retirement, Heiles will remain an active alumnus and will continue to attend the school community’s many social events.

Youth Views

What is your favorite book?

How can you relate to the story?

Sherrell Gaillard Nazareth R.H.S. Junior My favorite book series is Uglies, Pretties and Specials by Scott Westerfeld because the main character, Tally Youngblood, goes through a series of external and internal changes in this thrilling sci-fi trilogy.	Melissa Viellot Catherine McAuley H.S. Sophomore My favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I like this book because it’s unpredictable. It makes you think how the title and story correlate. I liked the characters and reading about their first impressions of other people.

William Locario Nazareth R.H.S. Junior My favorite books are in the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling’s books take my mind on an adventure. In certain situations, I can almost see myself in the characters’ shoes.	Shenelle Stewart Nazareth R.H.S. Junior My favorite book is “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker. It’s my favorite because it describes suffering. Celie overcomes her suffering and uses it to become successful. I relate to this story because everyone suffers at some point in life.

Patricia Anne Robinson Nazareth R.H.S. Junior My favorite books have to be “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, “Fat Kid Rules the World” by K.L. Going, and all of the Harry Potter books. I can relate to Emily, Troy and Hermione. They take me away from my life and into a realm of fantasy.	April Baptiste Brown Nazareth R.H.S. Junior My favorite books are “Fat Kid Rules the World” by K.L. Going and “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson. The main characters of these books intrigued me. I felt I could relate to them, like they were normal people just like me.

Mariah Springs Catherine McAuley H.S. Sophomore My favorite right now is “Just Listen” by Sarah Dessen. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin and being able to tell the truth. The main character has to come to terms with the fact that she isn’t the only one in the world going through tough problems.	Leonard Smith Nazareth R.H.S. Junior My favorite book is “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker. My favorite character is Celie because even though she was treated unfairly by society, she persevered and finally met her goal — reuniting with her sister Nettie.

Ariel DeRoche Catherine McAuley H.S. Sophomore My favorite book is “Six Months to Live” by Lurlene McDaniel. I love this book because it teaches you to value life, friendships and everything that the future may hold for you.

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