Notre Dame High School Celebrates Holy Week Mass and OCIA Sacraments

The Notre Dame High School community came together on April 16, 2025, for a truly special and faith-filled Holy Week Liturgy. Msgr. Dennis Apoldite celebrated alongside Deacon Rich Hobson, marking a significant spiritual milestone for nine Notre Dame students who received their sacraments through the school's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program.

This year's Holy Week Mass held special meaning as members of the Notre Dame community witnessed nine students affirm their commitment to their faith. Having journeyed through the OCIA program, these students received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and/or Confirmation, signifying their dedication and deeper connection to God.

The OCIA program, a unique and welcoming initiative at Notre Dame High School since 2017, offers students the opportunity to enter or continue their faith-filled journey. As one of the only schools locally to provide such an opportunity, Notre Dame has guided 55 students through receiving these sacraments since the program’s inception. 

Mrs. Janine Corgan, along with Msgr. Apoldite worked closely with the students during their preparation. The culmination of this journey included a reflective, full-day retreat on April 14, led by Mrs. Corgan, where the students spiritually prepared themselves for this life-changing moment.

The Notre Dame community is proud of the following students who received their sacraments:

Antonio Diaz ’27 - Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
Mia Ludwig ’25 - First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Derek Wittenburg ’26 - First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Madison Balaam ’27 - Confirmation
Adriana Burzachiello ’27 - Confirmation
Valerie Cordero-Beckert ’27 - Confirmation
Santhiago Rodrigues ’27 - Confirmation
Santi Gomez ’27 - Confirmation
Christian Uriostegui ’27 - Confirmation

Their families and sponsors joined in the celebration, adding to the beauty and significance of the liturgy. 

The sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation are essential milestones in the Catholic faith, representing one's initiation into the Church and a strengthened relationship with God. Each sacrament holds profound meaning:

• Baptism welcomes individuals into the faith, cleansing them of original sin and marking them as children of God.
• Holy Communion unites individuals with Christ through the body and blood of Jesus, the source and summit of Catholic belief.
• Confirmation completes the initiation process, sealing individuals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and reaffirming their commitment to the Church.

Reflecting on this, Santhiago Rodrigues '27 shared, "It just brings you closer to God and keeps your faith going; if you might not go to church as often or pray as often, getting confirmed can be something to bring you closer or to show God that you still have your faith in Him."

Similarly, Christian Uriostegui '27 added, "To me, it's important because it completes me. It's like a checkpoint. It guides me throughout my life, and I love that. It shows that Jesus loves me, but I also love him."

The OCIA program at Notre Dame does more than prepare students for their sacraments—it transforms lives. Through spiritual guidance, deep reflection, and strong community support, these students have developed a closer relationship with God and one another. 

Mrs. Corgan expressed her pride and gratitude, saying, "This program not only evangelizes, spreading God's message and love, as well as deepening the students' faith, but it also brings us together—our group and our whole community. These created bonds remain in their hearts. The community can relish this witness of faith, which often offers a little spark for each's own."

The celebration also highlighted the beauty of faith in action, as several previous OCIA participants returned to serve as altar servers, sponsors, and greeters.

As Holy Week concludes, Notre Dame High School extends heartfelt congratulations to all the students who received their sacraments and prayers for their continued faith journey—wishing the entire Notre Dame family a blessed Easter and a wonderful spring break! May this season of renewal bring joy and peace to all.