Veronica Heffron 
Veronica Alejandra Heffron was born in Santiago, Chile. She was adopted at the age of 7 by Robert and Geralyn Heffron and resided in Appleton, Wisconsin where she attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for BFA-Acting. At the age of 8, whilst still in the process of learning English, she began her acting career within the Children's Theater at the Saint Bernard Parish in Appleton. Since then she has continued acting, also adding on a multitude of other undertakings such as dancing and singing lessons, soccer, becoming an active member of the Girl Scouts of America, and joining every possible regional theater troupe within her schools. Motivated and striving to better the world, she found herself immersed in charitable activities within her community particularly with the elderly and autistic children. In addition, Veronica has also volunteered at the Special Olympics where she taught mentally ill children and adults the fine art of playing soccer!
In 2004,Veronica moved to Queens, New York with the help of a friend, her parents' prayers, a u-haul, and her two cats; Rayn and Prince Alejandro Caballo (Alex). After attending a year of actors’ conservatory at the Actor's Center and a Stanislavsky summer intensive at Columbia University, she branched out into film and television. Since then she has been seen in numerous Law and Order episodes, music videos, independent films, as well as commercials.
While living in North America Veronica continues to thank God and her two families for the gift of adoption. Her 3 brothers (Jaime, Carlito, and Sebastian), mother (Selma), and extensive biological family still reside in Chile. She will be returning to Santiago after 20 years in January of 2007. Preparation for this trip not only consists of extensive gift shopping, but also brushing up on her Spanish! "Voy a Chile Enero!"
"My travels have given me such an appreciation for diverse lifestyles, people, and cultures. I struggled to adjust to the "American way" as a child especially in terms of culture and language. I dove into the study of English and History with such ferocity that I excelled in these two subjects. I did not want to be teased for being the only olive skinned kid in my class; I wanted to prove myself and simply feel comfortable and accepted on the playground. One of the most important things I try to share with others is acceptance for those who are different from you. Within the next few years I intend to produce numerous works within film and television to that effect.”
Laurie’s Bio
A native of Long Island, Laurie Mangano - Chionchio was raised primarily in Dix Hills. She began singing as a young child in elementary school, as well as the folk group of her local parish, St. Matthew. It was at this early age that she was singled out among other children as having a unique talent. Her family moved several times during her school years, which made her feel as an outsider with her peers. Singing in church taught her and challenged her to examine her heart. As Laurie recalls, she discovered God through song. She continues to have an intimate relationship with God, relying on Him for strength, compassion, and companionship.
She later began singing for various social (nursing homes, hospitals, etc) and liturgical (masses, weddings, etc) functions with her sister Donna and even her little brother, Father Charles. At various CYO competitions they won several awards. A few years later they enlisted their older brother Jack and brother-in-law Rick to join them, forming a family band. The band performed at numerous catered affairs and Laurie even appeared in an off-Broadway production. By her late teens she began singing in a lounge band in local clubs. These early performances paved the way for a budding solo career, but left her unfulfilled. "Performing was fun but something very deep was missing. Singing for God gave purpose to my song." She performed liturgical dance and sang throughout Long Island with the Spirit Life Center. As an active member of her local parish, she was a cantor and religious education teacher.
Upon her brother's ordination to the priesthood, Father Charles invited Laurie to join in his new music ministry. This presented her with the opportunity to use her angelic voice in a way she always dreamed. Together they have released five successful albums; LEAD ME LORD, I CALL YOUFRIEND, THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS, TRUST HIS HEART and CELEBRATEJESUS and videos of their major concert events. To further express her passion for God, Laurie studied sign language and uses sign with song in this ministry. (Visit http://www.frcharleslaurie.com/).
She has been a volunteer at The Life Center of Long Island, which is a non-profit organization that promotes the dignity of human life, from conception to death. The Life Center provides baby necessities to pregnant mothers in need. They assist with pregnancies complicated by drugs and alcohol addictions and counseling for post-abortion syndrome. Laurie also developed a modeling career, gracing the pages of The New York Times and Modern Bride, to name just two publications. She had also done runway work in Manhattan and had been seen in several corporate video productions and television commercials.
Although volunteering at the Life Center and modeling has been important to Laurie, she has had to give all of her time to her growing music ministry with Father Charles.
Along with her music ministry, Laurie is first and foremost a devoted wife and mother. She resides on Long Island with her husband, Vinny and her two daughters, Lauren and Kristin. It is not uncommon to see her husband and daughters in the congregations and audiences supporting her. In Laurie’s own words "It is an honor to be the instrument by which God is doing His Work. I will go wherever God leads me for as long as He wishes."
Tara’s Bio
Tara Stackpole grew up in both Brooklyn and Rockaway in Queens, lived for a number of years in Brooklyn, and is now raising her family in Belle Harbor. A mother of five, Tara became a single parent on September 11, 2001, when her husband, FDNY Captain Timothy Stackpole was killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Tara and Timmy Stackpole were together for more than 20 years. They were active in the Church and their home parish of Good Shepherd in Marine Park, Brooklyn, where Timmy grew up. They were also active in their parish PreCana program leading groups of couples preparing for marriage; as well as the PreCana program at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House. They had five children. Kevin, Kaitlyn, Brian, Brendan and Terence with large Irish families on both sides. The tragic event of Timmy’s death took the family on a faith journey they never expected.
Timmy had been seriously and traumatically injured in a building collapse in 1998. He went through a very long and painful recovery. He constantly credited his faith with getting him through this ordeal. He went through numerous surgeries and rehabilitation for three years. Tara was by Timmy’s side throughout this entire ordeal, and watched him fight his way back in order to return to the job he loved so much. After 9/11, Tara reflected that she often thought that Timmy was almost lost in that 1998 fire, but that God gave them three more years together. During which time Timmy spent much time publicly speaking about his ordeal and his love for his family, the FDNY, and for his gratitude to God.
Tara’s strength in coping with her ordeals inspired many and she was invited to represent New York at the Republican National Convention in 2004. Her speech brought the house down.
“I’m Tara Stackpole. My husband Timmy was a fireman in New York City who ran through the doors of the World Trade Center but did not walk out. He was a patriot, a tremendous spirit. He had just been promoted to Captain on September 6th. Then he was summoned to fulfill an even higher calling. The fact that he answered the calling was not surprising to those of us who knew Timmy. It was not the first time. In 1998, he was badly injured in a fiery building collapse. He endured three excruciating months in a burn unit and was told he might never walk again, but he did. He must have known that others would be depending on him, his fellow firefighters and the people in the towers. Timmy returned to duty, full-duty on March 11, 2001. Timmy is my hero. I’m honored to share him with you just as I am proud to lend America my oldest son Kevin who is headed for Iraq in December with his Navy unit. America must never forget the sacrifices of September 11th or the sacrifices that are made every day by our sons and daughters in the military service.”
Tara’s son Kevin has since safely returned from his tour in Iraq but is still serving our country in the Navy for another year. Her daughter Kaitlyn is in her second year of college, where she is studying to be a nurse, and she is busy with her three boys still home and their various sports and activities. She serves on several advisory boards for the FDNY and often visits injured firefighters and their families. She is a Eucharistic Minister and often helps with Communion at FDNY Masses.
In the aftermath following 9/11 and the devastation that came upon so many families, she knew it was important to give people hope, and made it her focus to help in any way she could to move families forward in a positive direction. “In the midst of all of this, I know God has a plan for us. It might mot be the plan we envisioned, but in it, we have to find what is good, and what it is He wants us to do in our lives.”
