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Sixteen-year-old Victor Arocho made his confirmation two weeks ago at St. Joseph's Church in Scotia, where he is an altar server and an assistant with the faith formation program.

Someday, Victor sees himself as a lector or a choir member. For now, the junior and "a cappella" singer at Scotia-Glenville High School enjoys the ministries for which he volunteers.

Victor was one of 41 students confirmed at St. Joseph's in October. "I like the close-knit community. You basically know everyone there," he told The Evangelist, adding that the pastor, Rev. Peter Russo, is great with kids: "I like when he has the kids come up for the final song and then they all proceed out."

Victor has been an altar server for three years. He serves at the parish's 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at least once a month, in addition to special occasions such as baptisms.

He also helps out with the faith formation program for grades one through five, acting as a good role model for his eight-year-old sister and seven-year-old brother.

"Last time they met, the little kids made pretzels and we helped with that," Victor said.

The active teen also volunteers at the parish's annual ziti dinner and silent auction, which was held Nov. 6.

Though he doesn't yet sing in church, at school, Victor is part of the "Tartones," a male vocal group with a name that's a play on the school's mascot, the Tartans. The 20-member group sings classic songs like Gene Chandler's 1962 hit "The Duke of Earl."

The Tartones sing together and perform concerts. Victor said he also enjoys math and science.

A prayer for catechists on St. Joseph's parish website seems to sum up Victor's current and future involvement in school and parish life: "We pray that our parish family will always be blessed with those who have responded to the call to share in Christ's prophetic mission as catechists. May we, too, be open to the universal call to service that Christ addresses to all of His disciples, contributing our gifts to the communion of faith, the Church."

(11/11/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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