When his friend invited him to a youth group at the beginning of his junior year, senior Will Harbaugh was not very interested. Still, he tagged along anyway and fell in love with the community, which made him start the journey to receiving baptism.
Harbaugh and junior Ari Cox are preparing to receive all three sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church with help from many members of our school community. Freshman Joe O’Connell joins them to receive only Communion and Confirmation as he has already been baptized.
“I started learning about the Jesuits and their mission, and how, even though they have had their trials and tribulations, they are still always one together,” Harbaugh said. “Just being surrounded by it at De Smet gave me a good feeling.”
As the Jesuits had their trials, so did Harbaugh. Towards the end of his junior year, his faith began to fall as homework, drama, and other excuses began to flood his head.
“It was just a harder time, I was going through some rough spots,” said Harbaugh. “And I feel like I kind of pushed it away when it was probably the most critical point where I should have held it close to me.”
Through all of this, though, Harbaugh has had the support of his parents and grandparents as well as his friends’ families. Even his youth minister made an appearance at the Ash Wednesday mass, where all three catechumens were recognized for their preparation to receive the sacraments.
“The whole student body, all the teachers congratulated me,” Harbaugh said. “Everyone is very supportive, it is so nice to have.”
One supportive person during this time is Senior Henry Barreca. The two were together at Barreca’s house when Harbaugh brought the idea up that he wanted Barreca to be his godfather.
“It is the best part of being in the church,” Barreca said. “Being able to spread God’s word and bring people into the Church.”
Barreca took on a mentor role in Harbaugh’s journey to receiving the sacraments.
“He keeps me in check. Every time we eat, he always says grace, so I do it with him,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a constant reminder, kind of like an anchor in it.”
After consulting with Director of Campus Ministry Kelsey Grimm, Harbaugh chose Barreca to be his sponsor and Barreca’s father to be his godfather.
Through this process, Harbaugh’s faith life has grown. He takes more part in masses and finds himself praying a lot more.
“It shows the power of God,” Theology Teacher Andrew Shipp ‘07 said. “It shows that God is working, and that young men are listening to his voice and to the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
He made it a point to say the same prayer before every hockey game this season, in which the Hockey Spartans went on to win their third straight state championship.
“I would just pray to God in thanks and ask for forgiveness,” Harbaugh said. “I think that actually had something to do with how I played throughout the season.”
After six months of meeting every Thursday during activity period with Mrs. Grimm and Mr. Shipp, Harbaugh, Cox, O’Connell will be receiving sacraments to officially be a part of the Catholic Church. The mass will be on May 14th at the school’s Mass of Gratitude.
“Jesus Christ tells the apostles to go out together,” Mr Shipp said. “So walking this journey with these guys is so powerful.”
