Bishop Timothy Senior welcomed Kiana Sears into full communion with the Catholic Church from the Eastern Orthodox tradition; Maximillian Abah was fully initiated into the Church through the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation; and Elizabeth Eng, Mason Gardner, Natalia Salaverria, Zoe Symons and Jason Tavarez were fully initiated into the Church through the sacrament of Confirmation on April 19 at Allison Great Hall, Dickinson College, Carlisle.
In his homily Bishop Senior recognized that the students, “have been on a journey in a very specific way – a journey to deeper communion in your faith.”
The Gospel reading for the third Sunday of Easter recounted Jesus’s interaction with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples did not recognize the man walking with them as Jesus, and Bishop Senior pointed out, “you probably didn’t see it in the day-to-day, but can you look back over your shoulder? It’s [been] a journey of faith that you can now look back on and say there has been an arc of God’s action in my life.”
Each student had a unique journey, but none made the decision to enter into full communion with the Church lightly.
Father Chiedozie Ononuju (Father Dozy) is the chaplain of the Dickinson College Catholic Campus Ministry. He attests to the hard work and serious discernment that each student undertook to consciously make the decision to be an active part of the Church.
Kiana Sears always felt part of the Church since she was baptized and confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Church. She chose Basilissa as her Confirmation name as a nod to her roots and heritage.
Other students chose saints that reflect the discipline they are studying. Zoe Symons is a music major, so she chose St. Cecelia and Mason Gardner chose St. Francis of Assisi to reflect his love for environmental science. Jason Tavarez spoke of Truth, so St. Thomas More was his saint of choice. The confidence and eloquence each student used when explaining their choice to be a full participant in the faith was inspiring.
Bishop Senior commented, “it is an inspiration to all of us,” that the students were willing to take the step to join fully into communion with the Church.
Elizabeth Eng spoke of a rocky relationship with the Church but chose St. Faustina as a symbol of hope and mercy — trusting that her renewed faith has a purpose. The evening was a reminder that the Risen Lord is at work in the lives of so many young men and women, and they are responding to His call.
At the end of the evening, Father Dozy invited anyone who might feel called to investigate more about joining the Church to contact him. He had five inquiries. Joyfully, there is much work to be done, and College Campus Ministry needs your support. Prayerful support is a priority. Please pray for college chaplains and the students on college campuses all around the Diocese of Harrisburg. If you would like to help support the physical needs of College Campus Ministry, please click on this link and choose a college to support. Your donations are used to directly support College Campus Ministry.
Dickinson is a parish-run Catholic Campus Ministry. Learn more at https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/WeShare-3159?tab=home
Catholic Campus Ministry is one of the 90 ministries and programs supported by the Diocesan Annual Campaign.
(Mass photos by Laura Loose, group photo by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Laura Loose, The Catholic Witness
