Joseph Vessecchia

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.

Joseph’s Place at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester

Currently studying for his MBA in finance at Simon Business School at the University of Rochester, Joseph Vessecchia has many years of experience working as a sales account executive. When away from his studies, Joseph Vessecchia takes an active role at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester.

Dating back to its founding as a church for immigrants in 1910, Sacred Heart Cathedral became the new pro-cathedral following the demolition of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Today the cathedral continues its heritage by welcoming a new generation of immigrants, especially those seeking refuge from persecution and war. Its ministries, such as Joseph’s Place, offer assistance to those in need.

Joseph’s Place began in 2015 to complement the work of the Maplewood Edgerton Emergency Kupboard (MEEK), another ministry the cathedral has supported for the past several decades. Since its establishment, the new ministry has served approximately 1,200 families, offering not just food but also a person-based approached that recognizes the dignity of each individual.

Through this approach, Joseph’s Place hopes to make the love of Christ tangible for those who come seeking food. The ministry also seeks to address the deeper issues causing the problem of food insecurity.

Tips for Carrying Food and Water in Winter Hiking

Joseph Vessecchia, who is working toward a career transition to finance, attends the University of Rochester in New York. In his free time, Joseph Vessecchia enjoys various outdoor activities, including hiking.

For those who live in an area with frigid winters, such as upstate New York, hiking in the cold months of the year requires some preparation. This includes properly packing food and water for the air temperatures and taking related precautions.

While hikers may not want to stop as frequently while hiking in the winter, they should aim to keep themselves hydrated and fed. Storing energy bars or other snacks close to the body can help keep them warm enough to chew.

Additionally, hikers should keep their water from freezing but still have easy access to it. In winter, a water bottle with a narrow tube can freeze quickly.

Sometimes, blowing the water out of the tube after taking a drink can prevent it from freezing. However, purchasing gear that insulates the tube or switching to water bottles without straws may be necessary. If using water bottles, hikers should put them in a pack rather than in coat pockets to keep them from freezing.

The US Open at Flushing Meadows

A student at the University of Rochester, Joseph Vessecchia expects to graduate with his MBA in 2021. When not busy with his studies, Joseph Vessecchia pursues several hobbies, including baseball and tennis.

The largest tennis event of the year in America, the 2020 US Open will be held in Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York, from August 31st to September 13th. This Grand Slam event takes place in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the largest public tennis facility in the world, which includes Arthur Ashe Stadium, a venue that can accommodate almost 23,000 tennis fans.

Spectators at the US Open enjoy watching world-class tennis competition as top competitors including Serena Williams and Roger Federer play to secure one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. US Open matches are held both during the daytime and in the evenings.

Aside from watching the best tennis players in the world, the US Open offers a range of first-class dining venues to enjoy including the American Steakhouse, Champions Bar & Grill, and the Mojito Restaurant & Bar. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center also features shops on the grounds that retail tennis and other apparel.