College introduced new subject to student: Catholic faith

Some people decide to join the Catholic Church after years of thought and debate. For Stanley Horton, who received his First Eucharist and was confirmed recently, the decision was as simple as going to Mass.

A native of Cherry Valley in Otsego County, Mr. Horton had been baptized as a child but hadn't been to church since. Then he entered Siena College in Loudonville last September.

"I've always had morals in my life, but my mom said it was my choice to make the decision [to receive the sacraments] when I was old enough," he told The Evangelist.

Invitation

Siena attracted him because of its community atmosphere and Franciscan influence. When a friend invited the freshman to the college's opening Mass, Mr. Horton soon realized that choosing his political science major wasn't the only step he'd be taking to shape his future.

Listening to a homily by Rev. Kevin Mackin, OFM, Siena's president, Mr. Horton suddenly yearned to be part of the college's Catholic community.

"It was just a feeling that came over me," he remarked. "Father Mackin's sermon was really good; it made me see the Bible really affects our lives."

Becoming Catholic

The student started attending Mass every week. Then he approached Rev. William Beaudin, OFM, Siena's chaplain, and asked about receiving the sacraments. He learned about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the program of study through which people enter the Church.

Led by associate campus minister Margaret Motto, Mr. Horton and six other students began to meet on Tuesday evenings to learn about their faith -- what he called "interpreting the Word."

Hearing the Sermon on the Mount for the first time left the freshman awestruck.

"That was awesome, how true Jesus was to His teachings!" he declared. "He knows He has the right answer."

Supporters

Often, after a class or liturgy, he would go back to his dorm room and call his mother to mull over what he'd heard. Mr. Horton said she was "ecstatic" at his decision to further his faith, something she'd always wanted for him.

His friends were equally supportive: Tom Stanton, the fellow freshman who had invited him to Mass, became his Confirmation sponsor.

"He talked me through" the process, Mr. Horton said. "He told me what God was to him, and that helped me define what Jesus was to me: love and compassion."

Final decision

Like anyone pursuing a major goal, Mr. Horton thought over and over again about what he was doing. But that's just human nature, he said; going to Mass always affirmed he'd made the right decision.

Even after months of preparation, the student was unprepared for how impressed he was at the recent ceremony where he made his First Communion and Confirmation. His mother and sister were among those in the packed Siena chapel who heard Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's homily on living one's faith.

"He was a great speaker. What he said really meant a lot," Mr. Horton stated. "He talked about how this is just the beginning [and how] you should continue to use [your faith], going to Mass and learning about the Bible."

More to come

The newly confirmed Catholic isn't sure what influence his faith will have until he encounters difficult situations, but his life has already changed drastically in another way: When he goes to Mass, he can receive the Eucharist along with his fellow Catholics.

"I have something to look forward to every week," he boasted. "I feel like part of this community now, the Catholic community. The fact that I could sit where I wanted to and participate in Communion like everyone else -- that's when it really sunk in what I'd done the week before."

Other students in his RCIA "graduating class" seemed to have a similar reaction: Mr. Horton recalled that another new Catholic he met at church was "really into it -- awestruck, like me."

Having been "brought up with God in my life," he concluded, becoming an adult in the Church "just sealed the envelope."

(Along with Stanley Horton, Siena students Melissa Frisbie of Akron, N.Y.; Matthew Warner of Schenectady; and Carrie Dolson of Stockbridge, Mass., received First Eucharist and Confirmation. Three other students were confirmed: Elizabeth Horn of York Beach, Maine; Jamie DeAngelis of Pittsfield, Mass.; and Jaclyn DeMarasse of Troy.)

(5/6/04) [[In-content Ad]]