Students enrolled in OCIA exemplify Catholic schools as tools for evangelization

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Evangelization is just one of many functions of Catholic schools. When attending, students are not only educated in theology but submerged in an environment surrounded by prayer and faculty, staff and peers living out their faith.

While Catholic schools are open to students of all faiths who desire a faith-based private education, some students find themselves called to the Catholic faith while attending these schools — choosing to attend OCIA with the eventual goal of Baptism and full communion with the Church.

This year, students and their families from across the diocese will be welcomed into the Church during the Easter Vigil. These candidates and catechumens come from both grade schools and high schools — including three students from Villa Madonna Academy, Villa Hills; one from St. Cecilia School, Independence; two from St. Joseph School, Crescent Springs; two from St. Joseph School, Cold Spring; three from Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria, and others.

One such candidate is Ava Freppon, a junior attending Bishop Brossart High School, and enrolled in OCIA at St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring.

“Back in the spring of 2024, I went to a non-denominational church with my friends from school because I found an interest in having religion in my life,” Ms. Freppon said of her experience. “I was then baptized in July of 2024 alongside many of my friends and it was such a fun and important day in my life.”

However, saying that her previous church didn’t give her the “strong passion” she had hoped for, she “attended (her) first Mass at St. Joes that November and (she) loved the Church’s meaningfulness and purpose behind each Mass.”

Later transferring schools to Bishop Brossart High School — a decision made to further encourage her interest in the faith — Ms. Freppon said that she “was excited to have a religion class to hear more about different topics of the faith. As the school year and OCIA sessions went on, I started to notice being able to compare things I learned at school to what I was learning at the OCIA meetings. I feel like I have been able to dive deeper into the Catholic faith and I am excited to continue my life alongside my friends and family under this wonderful following of our Lord.”