St. Dominic was blessed to have an extraordinary last Mass of the year, last Wednesday. Students, faculty, and family members got to witness Baptisms, first holy Communions, Confirmations, and initiations into the Church. Some students and faculty made the choice on their own to partake in RCIA through St. Dominic. 

This is the first year that St. Dominic has led their own RCIA program. It was truly beautiful that everyone got to see all of these things happen at their very own school. St. Dominic is so lucky to have Father Patrick Russel that can perform the Baptisms, Confirmations, first Communions, and initiations. 

“I got Baptized, my first Communion, and Confirmed. It was beautiful being able to get my sacraments at the community that grew my faith. I am so thankful we were able to have this at St. Dominic. Following the plan God wanted me to take and spending a lot of time in prayer helped me so much,” Junior Olivia Huddleston said. 

Olivia was one of two people that received the sacrament of Baptism during the Mass. It was truly beautiful seeing her receive all these sacraments, and to see the joy on her face afterwards. Her family also got to see her enter into the Church.

“RCIA was a very welcoming place to be, and I’m so thankful I got to go through it. It was really easy and made the process a lot less scary with the mentors, and people around me going through the same thing. I enjoyed asking questions and learning more about the Catholic Church and getting to know my Father. It was so rewarding mentally, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s even slightly considering it and to at least take a try at it because it’s worth it and super enjoyable,” Junior Lulu Hawkins said. 

Lulu was one that had already been Baptized previously in a different church, but decided she wanted to be initiated into the Church. She also received the sacrament of holy Communion and Confirmation. Lulu had lots of inspiration to receive these sacraments after attending Kairos. It was amazing to see one of our very own staff members, English teacher Mrs. Marnatti, as her sponsor. 

“I would tell absolutely every single person who wants to go through RCIA to do it without a second thought. It seriously changed my life, and was an experience that so many people should be able to have. It was so much more meaningful to go through it with the people I go to school with instead of going to a parish where I don’t know anyone. I felt so loved from RCIA and I would do it all over again hundreds of times if I could,” Junior Ava Schwane said. 

Ava did not receive Confirmation in her eighth grade year, but with the help of the St. Dominic community, she decided to partake in the fullness of this sacrament. You could see the overwhelming look of joy and happiness on Ava’s face after she received the sacrament of Confirmation. She is truly an inspiration for anyone nervous about going through RCIA.

“During my time at St. Dominic, I’ve learned a lot about Catholicism, and I’ve really come to terms with the fact that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus and is his true intention for our faith. That being said, I felt the desire to become a part of the Church that was in Jesus’ original plan and take part in Communion as he instructed us to. This past year I have felt a real yearning for the Eucharist, so it was definitely a special moment to receive the body and blood of Christ for the first time, and be formally welcomed into the Church,” Faculty Member Mrs. Nikki Schuler said. 

It was so beautiful to see one of St. Dominic’s very own faculty members being brought into the Church. Mrs. Schuler’s faith life really started at St. Dominic, and she got to through RCIA with people that helped her grow closer with God. St. Dominic is so blessed to have Mrs. Schuler. 

Being able to see all of these students and faculty receive the sacraments, really made the last all school Mass of the year at St. Dominic so incredibly impactful. It shows how courageous these people were to go through RCIA, and make that decision on their own to receive the fullness of these sacraments.