Sophomore theology students share their faith journey

Catholic faith comes to new light thanks to theology class

Sophomore theology student Victoria “Kiki”

Morfin is new to Catholic school this year and has learned to embrace her Catholic faith thanks to the environment at Bishop Noll and her teacher, Mr. Kevin Driscoll.

Morfin’s family was always “super religious,” she said, and introduced her to the faith at a young age, although she would often make excuses to skip church or prayer.

Her time at Bishop Noll has helped her learn more about her faith, and her sophomore theology class has helped her understand more about the background behind her religion.

“For example, I knew the Virgin Mary was the mother of Jesus, but I didn't know she was around my age. Knowing that she was around my age really made a difference and made me appreciate her more than I did before,” she said.

Morfin, who moved around a lot as a child, always attended public schools.

“When I found out I was going to BNI I was angry and upset. I didn't want to do all the praying or going to church more than I have to. But as I went to my theology class and listened to Mr. Driscoll, I started to realize and understand things. I felt a lot more gratitude for a lot of things, especially things in my faith. I started to know how to appreciate praying and began to enjoy going to church. Not feeling dread that it was Sunday; instead of church feeling like a chore, it became something meaningful and important to me. I finally get to talk to my grandmother more now or enjoy talking to my aunt, who is very religious. I get to be closer to my family and to God.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe

In December, BNI celebrated Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the first time, at least in recent history, this feast was observed at BNI with an all-school Mass. Dec. 12 marks the anniversary of one of several apparitions of the Virgin Mary witnessed by an indigenous Mexican man named Juan Diego in 1531. Before Mass, Bishop Noll students read the story of Juan Diego in English and Spanish. The Mass also included a rose procession of students from BNI’s three Hispanic clubs—Multicultural Club, Spanish National Honor Society and Hispanic Student Union.

Student uses social media to share faith

A theology assignment took on new meaning for sophomore Molly Whelan when she began to share her faith in new ways.

“We had an assignment to reach out to share things about God on social media. We all had creative freedom to post on whatever social media platform we wanted to. I decided to post on Instagram. For my project, I post every day on my story a quote from the Bible that I think relates to my life. I would then piece together pictures of me or of my friends and leave a message on how that Bible verse related to my life.”

She said the sophomore theology project was the extra push she needed to feel OK to share her faith and talk about it with others.

This year, she has learned that we can ask God for many things, but if we don’t follow His plan, He can’t help us.

She is now proud of her relationship with God and said coming to Bishop Noll has helped grow that relationship.

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week Mass began a week of celebration and excitement. BNI hosted five elementary schools for this special Mass, celebrated by the Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary. He was joined by BNI Chaplain Father Jeff Burton and Deacon Martin Brown ’79.

Mr. Kevin Driscoll said.

“Molly has been very supportive of my class experience, engaging in teamwork, and class discussions. She is also participating in a social media evangelization project I presented. She is using her Instagram account to spread the Gospel, which shows a lot of courage and shows me she ‘gets’ my class,”

Thank you to all the students, teachers, administrators and guests from our local religious communities who made this such a joyous Mass. Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States.

Fun & games

In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Noll students enjoyed a week of special activities. In an exciting matchup, the BNI Warriors took on the .... BNI Warriors? Yes, it was staff vs. students in a “heated” game of volleyball that ended in a tie. We’d love to see a rematch this spring.