During this Easter season, two students at Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School became members of the Roman Catholic Church.
For the past several months, juniors Alex Herrmann and Jasmyn Mohamed have been preparing for their conversion by learning the history, beliefs and values of the Church and the order of the Mass.
To support them through this time of enlightenment, sponsors have been by their side. Alex chose his maternal grandfather, Terry Dorgan, a parishioner at Westerville St. Paul the Apostle Church and a DeSales alumnus (class of 1968), as his sponsor.
“My grandpa and I are very close,” Alex said, “and it seemed fitting for him to be my sponsor, as he was also my cousin Jack’s sponsor – who is a sophomore at DeSales – when he was confirmed two years ago. My grandpa was also a clear choice because he loves his faith and shows Christ’s love and joy to everyone around him.”
Jasmyn selected a classmate, Eleanor Bogue, to be her sponsor. “I chose her as my sponsor because she is one of my best friends,” Jasmyn said, “and she’s someone who I wholeheartedly trust, with anything. She is one of the most passionate people I know.
“Eleanor Bogue is someone who I admire. She’s so smart and such a loving, caring person. She is a friend in the faith, and I’m so grateful for her.”
Both Alex and Jasmyn have found the fullness of love, fulfillment and truth in the Catholic faith. Alex said, “Ever since my good friend Jillian Conroy invited me to Mass and her youth group at (New Albany Church of the) Resurrection a year and a half ago, I have discerned that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church. It is the perfection of morality, and it is precisely where I need to be, what I ought to be a part of and who I want to be.
“One of the most important teachings for me is the Eucharist. I am so beyond excited to finally receive Him in the Blessed Sacrament at the Easter Vigil. The fact that Jesus loves me enough to come down in each and every Mass and allow us to be so intimate with Him that we get to consume Him is just amazing.”
Jasmyn said, “I chose to convert because of a feeling that’s been growing inside me for quite some time. I can’t really explain it, but it feels right. I feel like I finally found a place where I’m accepted for who I am, flaws and all.”
Asked what they hope to gain from becoming Catholic and what they hope to offer to others, Jasmyn said, “I hope to become closer with God and gain eternal happiness. I just want to live my life to the fullest with God right by my side.
“I want others to find what I found in the Church and for others to experience the love of God, which is truly such an amazing love.”
Alex said, “I hope to be closer to Christ and to strengthen my relationship with God. I have come to truly love Him and am looking forward to that continuing.”
Alex said that he also hopes “to be able to love others better and show them Christ in me. I want to represent Him well and show everyone around me his life-changing power. Living out the fullness of Catholic morality will help me to love others, and, in turn, Jesus, the best that I possibly can.”
Alex participated in the Easter Vigil at Church of the Resurrection, and Jasmyn celebrated at Worthington St. Michael Church.
In addition, a French teacher at DeSales, Heather Evans, joined the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil, at Columbus St. Matthias Church, with DeSales campus ministry director Rebecca Metzger as her sponsor.
The DeSales community plans to keep them in their prayers and rejoice as the Catholic Church welcomes these three new members.