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How do you willingly get 250 teenagers to gather together for an entire weekend of praise and worship? It may not be easy, but the Pallottine Teenage Federation (PTAF) sure makes it look like it is.
For 53 years, the annual conference has drawn numbers of teenagers to the Catholic conference, this year held Dec. 5-7 at Honors Haven Resort & Spa in Ellenville. The theme was “Let Christ Be Our Hero.”
Perhaps it’s because teenagers organize it.
Amanda Voglio, a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in West Nyack and president of the PTAF, said that part of what made her experience in the federation so memorable was getting a chance to be involved.
“Seeing it all come together after a year of planning it, and having all my friends there was just so special,” she said.
Another important factor for her was the ability to share her faith with others.
“I always knew that there were other kids who shared and believed the same beliefs as me. Seeing that there were other kids all over New York who had those beliefs showed me how great this program is and how we all believe the same things,” she said.
“I feel so lucky and blessed that I came into this program,” she said. “It’s such a great program. I wish that more kids would get involved in it.”
Justin Fatica from Hard as Nails Ministries gave it to the teens straight and had them riveted as he spoke to them about encountering Jesus Christ.
In fact, Amanda said his presentation was one of the things she things she will remember for years to come. “He talked about being a young person in the Catholic Church and how we are one of the most important parts of the Church,” said the senior from Clarkstown South High School. “He said we have to spread our faith to other young people,” she added.
Masses were essential to the weekend. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne, episcopal vicar of Dutchess, Putnam and Northern Westchester and who is known for his work with youths, offered Mass on Saturday. Father Michael Martine, pastor of Holy Rosary parish on Staten Island and spiritual director of the PTAF, celebrated the opening Mass Friday night.
The weekend had its fair share of entertainment as well. Fusion, a New York singer, songwriter and dancer, performed in his upbeat style in praise of Jesus Christ.
Victoria Zaccardo, a junior at Susan E. Wagner High School who serves as vice-president of the PTAF, raved about Fusion performing the song “Cool to be Christian.”
Victoria is also a parishioner at St. Joseph’s on Staten Island. “It’s just good to know that you can have friends through Christ,” she said. Those are the kind of solid friendships she has through PTAF.
Toni Kerins, director of the Vincent Pallotti Center in Monroe, which is home to the Teenage Federation, said of the weekend, “There was a real sense of community. We have three or four new parishes that attended.”
In addition to Amanda and Victoria, the new officers are Caity Gould, secretary, of Sacred Heart, Staten Island; and Kayla Franzken, program chairperson, of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Pleasant Valley.
Presented with awards and Bibles were the former officers: Luke Meagher, president, from Sacred Heart, Staten Island; Christopher Kenny, vice-president, from St. Gregory Barbarigo, Garnerville; Kiri Dolan, secretary, from St. Stanislaus Kostka, Pleasant Valley; and Joe McDoal, program chairperson, from St. Mary’s, Obernburg.
An award was given to the Kenny Family of St. Gregory Barbarigo parish of Garnerville for their “endless hours of service to the Pallottine Teenage Federation and the Vincent Pallotti Center.”
According to Victoria, a good time was had by all throughout the weekend. “It was a good mix of prayer and free time. And in the free time we were getting to know each other through God.”
“Personally, it brought me closer to God 100 percent,” she added. “I go to church every Sunday, but now I have the desire to go to church more and grow closer to God.”
