These teens Vietnamese youths attend Auriesville rally are high on Approximately 50 diocesan Viet­ namese Catholics were united in both their heritage and faith with people hospitality from the Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany dioceses during a recent youth rally. The second annual event took place By Mike Latona July 9-11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Staff writer Martyrs in Auriesville, located near Albany. According to Ha Nguyen, di­ ROCHESTER — In the Shackelford rector of the diocesan Asian Aposto- and Spaker families, ifs not just adults late, nearly 300 people participated. who labor in a hot kitchen. The weekend comprised youth- Megan Shackelford and Peter Spaker related conferences and speakers, are among nearly 40 youths from Iron- games, a music show featuring a choir dequoif s St Margaret Mary parish and band from Rochester, and a clos­ youth group who have volunteered (From left to right) Collene Burns, Peter Spaker, John Clark and Megan ing Mass. their time over the past two yeanf at Shackelford volunteer their time at the Francis .Hospitality Center, 547 Father John Tiep, a Vietnamese the Francis Hospitality Center, 547 Joseph Ave., Rochester. priest from the Immaculate Heart of Joseph Ave. Mary Shrine Coredemptrix Missions, This 30-bed shelter for homeless Not only do the teenagers prepare during his first trip to the Francis coordinated the rally. men, funded by the Catholic Family dinner, but they also mingle with the Center about 18 months ago. Nguyen, who estimates that 10 per­ Center's Homeless and Housing Ser­ residents by playing cards or table But now he's been helping so long cent of the nearly 5,000 Rochester vices Department, was opened in 1991. tennis. that "I know the staff better man some Vietnamese are Catholic, acknowl­ Not long after its opening, David "I know it sounds corny, but I really of the guys who live here," he said. edged that gatherings such as the one Desmond, St Margaret Mary youth want to help them," said the 17-year- This weekly duty is not only enjoya­ in Auriesville are "very important" for minister, attempted to recruit young old Shackelford, who added that she ble for the teens, but also for those transplanted Vietnamese people. parishioners to help out with occa­ plans a career in social work. whom they serve. "It keeps the culture and the tra­ sional kitchen duty at the Francis Shackelford made her St. Margaret "People here don't say it, but I know dition going," she said. "In this coun­ Center. Mary/Francis Center connection last that they like seeing someone come in try we're not fortunate enough to see Desmond received such a strong re­ November through a senior service and mingle," said Steve Coffey, who each other everywhere." sponse that he and his contingent have project at Bishop Kearney High School, currently resides at the Francis Center. Nguyen and a group of five Viet­ now been volunteering every Monday from which she recently graduated. A Desmond asserted that his group's namese youths will attend World evening throughout the year. They parishioner at St John the Evangelist dedication helps alter the perception Youth Day in Denver, Colo., from Aug. meet at St Margaret Mary Church, 401 Church in Spencerport, she has now that teenagers may not be inclined 11-15. Following Pope John Paul H's Rogers Parkway, and then pile into become so dedicated to the Francis toward volunteer work. closing Mass on Aug. 15, the pontiff Desmond's car for the five-minute Center that she makes the long ride in "I do find that young people are in­ will hold a special one-hour session drive over to the Francis Center. from her Hilton home every week. terested in offering their services, but with approximately 10,000 American "There have been times when I've The 14-year-old Spaker, a St. Mar­ as adults we don't always ask them," Vietnamese youths. Nguyen and other had to borrow a van or car because I garet Mary parishioner and sophomore Desmond observed. "To say -that Rochester Vietnamese people are hop­ couldn't get everybody into my own at Irondequoit High School, admitted they're not interested or willing, thaf s ing to attend that meeting. car," Desmond acknowledged. that he was "not very comfortable" just not accurate." — Mike Latona Greece parish hosts summer Bible school

, f photographer Marie White (left), a St John's pari­ Rachel Bopp (from left), Jillian Machucki, Theresa Wania and Elizabeth Paoietti sing 'Living in God's Creation' at St shioner, helps Joanna Schnaus John the Evangelist's Parish Center in Greece during a Vacation Bible School session led by the youths July 8. with her 'I Am Blessed' mobile. CONGRESS OF THE DIVINE MERCY m.- FREE VIDEO 12 HOT VIDEOS For a Cool Summer! OCTOBER 5, 6, & 7, 1993 FREE is the key to summer fun in '93! Buy any two Star Song or ForeFront CD's or Cassettes and get the Summer Free '93 Video FREE (a $14.95 value). 12 Hot videos by DC TALK, NEWSBOYS, WHITE HEART, Experience ^sws^in His Mercy TWIIA PARIS, GEOFF MOORE & THE DISTANCE plus 7 others. And there's more. Win a 5 day Hawaiian vacation for two with a Star Song or ForeFront mystery artist and the crew from CCM-TV! Other prizes include Tyndales' Life Appli­ cation Bible for Students, and Living Epistles T-Shirts. Look for the Summer Free '93 display at participating Christian retailers. Come and enter with us into the mystery of Jesus' Divine Mercy, in three full days.and evenings of presentations and events here at this beautiful Shrine to Mary. Nationally FREE TRIP! prominent speakers will help us to embrace the living Mercy of Jesus so very close to each of us, as^veiaee the challenges of life today.

IRONDEQUOIT MALL Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (Near Sears on 1st Floor) 1023 Swann Rd • PO Box 67 • Youngstown. NY 14174-0167 BOOKS, 266-5370 1-800-5 5-MERCY Thursday, July 22, 1993 9