KENNESAW--Msgr. Don Kenny, archdiocesan director of vocations, celebrated a Life Teen Mass for vocations Jan. 21 for 200 young people with the hope that one day a few of the seeds he carefully planted would take root and flourish.

"He really made them aware that we need vocations to the priesthood and religious life," said Lisa Bohn, youth minister at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. "He was really personable and the kids seemed to identify with him right away."

The Mass, celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena, was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 9923.

The Mass was concelebrated by Father Terence Kane, pastor, Father Gregory Benassu, parochial vicar, and Father Conor Fitzgerald, parochial vicar.

After the Mass the Knights had a spaghetti dinner for the teens. The dinner was an ice-breaker to allow the youth to get to know the priests at a one-to-one level and was followed by a panel discussion led by Msgr. Kenny.

The priests tried to overcome some of the stereotypes the teens had about the priesthood. Msgr. Kenny told them that many of the priests liked sports and listened to the same music stations that some of them did. He told the teens each person in the room had a vocation of some type and encouraged them to explore their calling, whatever it might be.

"It really made the teens look at the priests on a human level," said Ms. Bohn. "I really think it helped some of our teens understand that priests are normal people with a special calling."