Cathedral Community – Joseph Vessecchia

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Explained

A huge crowd of pilgrims massed inside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City Mexico City, Mexico, Apr 04 - Veneration in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City is among the most widespread and loved in the Catholic world. Every year millions of people visit the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Cerro del Tepeyac where, as tradition tells, the Virgin Mary appeared in 1531. In the photo: Hundreds of people flock to the Basilica of Guadalupe during a religious celebration Cathedral Community stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia is a New York sales executive preparing to transition into the finance sector. Outside of the professional and educational arenas, Joseph Vessecchia is an active member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral and its Cathedral Community.

A Roman Catholic parish in Rochester, New York, the Cathedral Community reaches out to the community at large through various charity and missionary initiatives. It welcomes new adherents to the Catholic faith through its Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program.

Described by the Cathedral Community as a “life-changing journey of faith,” the RCIA process occurs in four stages. It begins with the PreCatechumenate, otherwise known as the Period of Inquiry into Catholic doctrine. RCIA students then complete thorough religious instruction during the Catechumenate stage.

The next stage, Purification and Enlightenment, involves strengthening spiritual and mystical attachments and developing a genuine and intimate understanding of Christ and the Catholic church. In the last stage of the RCIA process, Mystagogia finalizes the initiation process by engendering a deep understanding of the Sacraments within the converts who have newly received them.

About the DeVany Fund of the Cathedral Community

A New York professional and MBA student at the University of Rochester, Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia most recently sold software for Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Quick Base. Joseph Vessecchia lives in Rochester, New York, where he is active with the Cathedral Community Roman Catholic parish.

Centered in downtown Rochester’s Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Cathedral Community has a long history of community service in the form of regular religious services and other forms of engagement. Its regional anti-poverty initiatives include the distribution of grants through its DeVany Fund.

The DeVany Fund is dedicated to financially supporting ministries, agencies, and other groups that address issues of poverty in the Rochester community. Over the years, it has awarded grants to further initiatives that range from academic tutoring and job training to winter clothing distribution and indigent burial. Although DeVany Fund grants may range from $500 to $5,000, the average grant is between $1,500 and $2,000. The Cathedral Community awards DeVany grants on an annual basis.

Cathedral Community Serves Refugees through Mary’s Place

After working as an account executive in software sales, Joseph Vessecchia began studying for his MBA at the University of Rochester with an eye toward transitioning into the financial industry. A dedicated volunteer, Joseph Vessecchia is actively involved at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester.

Gathering to worship at Sacred Heart Cathedral, the cathedral community encompasses a diverse group of individuals within the Diocese of Rochester. The community has a mission to make disciples and send them forth to proclaim the Gospel in joy, reaching out to all those in need. That mission includes various outreach efforts, such as Mary’s Place.

A nonprofit outreach center established in 2009, Mary’s Place serves refugees of all ethnicities and religions. It started by providing coats to refugees from the rectory of the former Holy Rosary Church, and has grown to offer programs ranging from English classes to case management. The center also provides food and clothing each week for those in need.

For more information about Mary’s Place and to contribute to its outreach efforts, visit www.marysplaceoutreach.org.