Student Michael Hughes Reflects on His Growth in Our Community

OLL School Alumnus Continues Faith Journey Through Music Ministry

When he was in the sixth grade at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Michael Hughes began playing violin at school Mass on Fridays. He played almost every week until he went to high school. Now as a senior at N.C. State, he is still involved in our parish’s Music Ministry today.

“My participation in the Music Ministry at OLL, first through school Mass and now through weekend Masses and special events, has made me feel like a part of the community,” says Michael, who is a violinist with the N.C. State Orchestra. “It has been special for me to have participated in the ministry for such a large part of my life.”

Though members at a different parish in North Raleigh, Michael’s parents enrolled him in Our Lady of Lourdes Middle School in 2011. He describes his experience as “challenging and insightful.”

“During my three years of middle school, I grew to possess a deep and lasting faith, and I feel that I grew to be a more well-rounded and confident person,” Michael says. “I was a very shy, scared sixth-grader, and my time at OLL allowed me to explore my interests all while growing closer to the faith and to others.”

Later in middle school, Michael joined the OLL Youth Group, and he enjoyed getting to know both older and younger people who helped him grow in his understanding of the faith.

“I remember a member of the choir commenting on how they’ve seen me grow up and how my musicality has developed over the years,” Michael says. “I’ve played with some of them since I was 12. It’s incredibly special for me to think how much I have grown with many of the same people in the ministry.”

Over the years, Michael’s faith has grown and matured as he has gotten older and continued engaging in and with the faith community.

“My faith is a work in progress that needs constant attention and thought, but being involved at OLL has allowed me to explore it in so many ways,” Michael says. “Seeing others grow in their faith during Mass especially deepens my own faith. It’s always touching to see others grow deeper into a state of prayer and reflection when I participate in playing music.”

During the Advent season as a child, Michael remembers taking turns with his sister in lighting the Hughes family’s Advent wreath.

“We would often read from an Advent prayer and reflection book that we got from our parish every night before we said grace,” Michael says. “Though I don’t get to participate in family dinners every night during Advent as a college student, I am glad to have fond memories of the Advent season with my family.”

Michael is grateful to have been able to participate in the Music Ministry for as long as he has and to have grown in his faith through his involvement at Our Lady of Lourdes.

“The faith community was always encouraging of my playing when I was younger, even though I was young and probably didn’t play all that well,” Michael says. “Faith and music are so important to me, and I’m so thankful that the faith community has given me a chance to express both so meaningfully.”

Michael Hughes (left) along with Gabriella Ercolino perform at OLL’s presentation of Handel’s Messiah last year. Michael and Gabriella are graduates of OLL School.