Paul VI Students Welcomed Fully Into the Church

Sixteen students were baptized, 26 received their First Holy Communion, and 32 were confirmed. Those who were baptized also received Communion and Confirmation. Father Jonathan Fioramonti, Chaplain at Paul VI, celebrated the Mass and conferred the sacraments. He was joined by Fr. Jack Peterson, YA, as concelebrant, with Deacon Ted Devlin assisting at the Mass and sacraments.
  

The Mass was celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, filled with students, family, friends, and faculty and staff from Paul VI. Father Jonathan’s homily reflected on the profound significance of receiving the sacraments, emphasizing that this marks the beginning of a spiritual journey—a personal call from God to grow in faith, like cultivating a garden. It encourages those being confirmed or receiving the Eucharist to nurture virtues through prayer and perseverance, acknowledging the spiritual battles ahead against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Ultimately, it assures that Christ has already won the victory, and through a deep, personal relationship with Him, believers are strengthened and united with God in love. 

Mr. Kieran Koch, YA, a consecrated member of the Youth Apostles, has been forming these students all year. This is his third year leading the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA — formerly known as RCIA) at Paul VI. Koch went through OCIA at Virginia Tech during the 2018-2019 school year, has been teaching OCIA since, and has applied to be a seminarian through the Diocese of Arlington. Koch said, “Each student in OCIA at Paul VI has had a powerful encounter with Christ that has led them to seek a deeper relationship with Him. Theology classes, junior retreats, and various trips and pilgrimages help facilitate these profound encounters with the Lord. I am beyond privileged to walk with our students as the seeds of faith take root and sprout in their lives! Overall, seeing the excitement of the students I work with on a daily basis fills me with gratitude and allows me to clearly see young people responding generously to God’s call!”