DVM News - April Newsletter

Blessings on this Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena!

Where Faith Meets Service:

A Spring Break to Remember

By Kris Sauer, Director of Advancement at Bethlehem Academy

^{Bethlehem Academy students participating in a spring break mission trip to Guatemala, serving alongside Divine Mercy Catholic Church in faith-filled service and cultural immersion.}

Eighteen Bethlehem Academy (Faribault, Minn.) students spent their spring break not relaxing but serving—joining youth from Divine Mercy Catholic Church for a mission trip to Guatemala that blended faith, cultural immersion, and hands-on work.

The group started and ended at Casa San Benito Convent in Guatemala City, where they were welcomed by Benedictine Sisters whose charism of hospitality shaped the tone of the

entire experience.

Their journey took them from the historic streets of Antigua, where they visited the tomb of Saint Hermano Pedro, to the rugged slopes of Pacaya volcano, which they hiked and camped overnight. The heart of the trip, however, was five days of service at the Friends of San Lucas Mission in San Lucas Tolimán. There, students worked side by side with local crews, moving and sifting sand and dirt at construction sites, learning firsthand the dignity of labor and the impact of shared effort. They also experienced Guatemalan culture through a coffee class, a cooking class, and daily meals of local cuisine.

Traveling by boat across stunning waters surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, the group visited their sister parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Panajachel. The journey itself—by boats named Esther and Emily, followed by a steep walk uphill—was a reminder of both the beauty and challenges of life in the region. Along the way, students built connections not only with the local community but also with fellow missionaries, sharing in games, conversations, and moments of reflection.

Each day closed as it began—with faith at the center. Through Mass, rosary, praise and worship, and small group discussions, students reflected on their experiences and deepened their understanding of service. What began as a trip became something more: an encounter with a global Church, a lesson in humility and gratitude, and a lived expression of Bethlehem Academy’s mission to lead, serve, and inspire.

A Different Finish Line: St. Pius X High School Student Runs Toward Priesthood

St. Pius X High School senior Graham Lively displays his cross-country medals earned throughout his high school running career.

For most of his time at St. Pius X High School, Graham Lively ‘26 believed his future would be in computer science or engineering and on the cross-country course, but God had different plans for him.

He began running simply to stay in shape for basketball. But after intense summer training and major improvements in performance, he quickly discovered a passion for running that would shape much of his high school journey.

That passion led him to pursue college recruitment opportunities while preparing for a future in electrical engineering. He was taking some of the most challenging classes and was able to secure an opportunity to run at the collegiate level.

Yet, while his athletic and academic goals were coming into focus, God had been quietly encouraging another calling planted in his heart years before. He first noticed it in seventh grade when a seminarian brought his class from St. Martha Catholic School in Kingwood, Texas to visit St. Mary’s Seminary. “That was the first time I thought, ‘It might be cool to be a priest,’” he said.

Though the idea stayed with him, he pushed it aside while focusing on school and athletics. But it resurfaced strongly during his junior and senior years at St. Pius X High School, especially after his theology teacher asked him to portray a priest during a class reenactment of the sacraments. Afterward, the teacher told him she believed he would make a good priest.

“During a school mass, I watched the priest, and thought, it would be so cool if I was able to do the same sacraments, to have a church community to care for,” Graham said. Soon after, he experienced a series of vivid dreams that he describes as God showing him what priesthood could be like. That became the turning point. “I felt a really strong calling,” he said. “I realized I needed to take it seriously.”

He began speaking with priests he trusted, including his former middle school priest, parish priests, and Father Richard McNeely, the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Through prayer, confession, and those conversations, his path became clearer.

During the fall of his senior year, Graham ultimately decided to enter Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, Texas next fall to prepare to become a diocesan priest. His parents – who have five children – are fully supportive and have long believed there would be a priest in the family.

Graham credits much of his spiritual guidance to St. Pius X High School Director of Campus Ministry, Carlos Barboza, who encouraged him to join the school’s preaching team, become more involved in ministry, and helped guide him through the seminary application process.

Graham finds inspiration in Scripture, especially in the Book of Job, which he says has helped shape both his faith and his discipline as an athlete. “Running can be hard sometimes, especially because I’m always trying to be the fastest I can be,” he said. “Job suffered greatly, and his story reminds me that no matter how difficult things get, I can always put my trust in God. I know God has a reason for everything and a plan for my life.”

^{St. Pius X High School student Graham Lively assisting Father Richard McNeely, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston at a school Mass.}

^{St. Pius X High School student Graham Lively as an altar server.}

Much of that reflection happens in the quiet of long runs. Running alone for up to two hours at a time, he often chooses silence over music and dedicates that time to thinking, praying, and listening to God. “Those are the moments where I have real peace and quiet,” he said. “I pray the most when I’m running. I’m able to sit there, listen to God, and talk to Him.”

Graham concluded: “Even though I haven’t even entered seminary yet, I like to tell people it’s never too late to join the seminary. I always remember what two priests told me: that the thought of becoming a priest is put there by God, it’s not just some random thought that pops into your head. It is placed there intentionally. So I’d say to people that you shouldn’t be afraid if you feel a call to the priesthood or to religious life because it is really a holy thing in Christianity, and anybody can take part in it. If you really feel a strong calling, don’t silence it. That’s what I did for a couple of years, and then I finally realized I had to take it seriously.”

St. Dominic School Students Bring the Stations of the Cross to Life

For a second year, as part of their Lenten journey, fifth and sixth grade students of St. Dominic School (Memphis, Tenn.) led an interactive Stations of the Cross experience for the school community. The special activities provide students, faculty, and staff with an opportunity to experience Christ’s passion in tactile ways.

“The purpose of the Interactive Stations of the Cross is to experience the stations through visual, sensory, meditative, and interactive elements,” said Mary Bolton, fifth and sixth grade religion teacher. “This allows participants to actively engage with the final hours of Jesus’ life, making the Stations more memorable and personally meaningful.”

Students guided participants through each station, inviting them to reflect more actively in the various moments of Jesus’ passion. Station activities included dipping hands in red paint, touching nails, creating a crown of thorns with toothpicks, writing down personal prayers, and praying together. It was a powerful and engaging experience for students, faculty, and families.

Reflecting on last year’s experience, Bolton shared, “People were deeply moved by the stations. It brought joy to my heart knowing that the students were able to offer something to our community that helped people connect more deeply with their faith and gain a greater understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection. I also hope it shows our boys’ dedication to sharing this meaningful experience with others.”

^{St. Dominic School students dip their fingers in red paint during the Interactive Stations of the Cross reflecting on the gift of Christ’s Passion and forgiveness.}

^{At another station during the Interactive Stations of the Cross, students placed a Band-Aid on the cross to reflect on ways they can help others who suffer.}

Rosarian Academy Brings the Passion of Christ to Life

^{Rosarian Academy 8th grade students, Andrew Farrell, and Frank Coniglio participate in the Passion Play.}

At Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.), eighth grade students brought the story of Jesus’ Passion to life through the school’s annual Passion Play. This powerful tradition allows the school community to walk with Jesus on His journey to the cross and reflect on the meaning of His sacrifice.

Nina Vincent, 6th–8th Grade Math Teacher and director of the production, shared, “Directing the Passion Play with our 8th grade class is something I look forward to every year. It is a deeply moving experience for both the students and those attending. Each class brings something special to the story, and every year students walk away with a new connection to and appreciation for our faith and its history. It is truly an honor to guide them through a moment of growth, reflection, and unity that they will carry with them long after.”

^{From left to right, 8th grade students Vespa McDonald, Tristan Catalano, Frank Coniglio, and Brody Dunhill participate in the school’s Passion Play.}

This experience also brought a deeper understanding of faith to the students. Frank Coniglio, an 8th grade student who portrayed Jesus, said, “Being involved in the Crucifixion and all the moments of Jesus’s death helped me understand what unconditional love really is, and how blessed we are to have someone who opened the gates of heaven and saved us.”

Exploring Culture and Community in Peru: Dominican Academy Students Explore Peru During Easter Break

^{Dominican Academy students at Machu Picchu, Peru, during their Easter break cultural and educational trip.}

Earlier this month, a small group of students and staff from Dominican Academy (New York, N.Y.) traveled to Peru. Trip participant Mara Levcovici ‘27, shared her experience with DVM News.

This Easter break, Dominican Academy traveled to Peru to explore its vibrant culture and communities. From the bustling capital city of Lima to the colorful markets of Cusco, we experienced a world and way of life vastly different from the familiar streets of New York City.

I was feeling both nervous and excited as I met up with the rest of the group at the Newark airport. I had heard a lot about elevation sickness, but I had heard even more about the gorgeous sightseeing and delicious food in Peru. As we boarded the plane for our eight-hour flight, I wondered if my Spanish would be good enough, what I would eat, and if I would make new friends on the trip. But, before I knew it, the plane landed in Lima and our adventure began.

The first stop on our trip was the capital city of Peru, known for its seaside views and historic sites: Lima. During our four days there, the group took in the history of Peru through sightseeing tours and a visit to the Larco Museum, in which we learned about the Inca civilization that existed on the land before modern-day Peru. The museum had hundreds of artifacts on display, and we analyzed the history of Incan society through the different methods of creating pottery, as well as their various designs and styles. We explored how crafting textiles and ornaments could record history, trace family trees, and symbolize changes in rulers.

While in Lima, we made it a point to try as much of the local cuisine as we could, the most popular being ceviche, a citrusy raw seafood dish, and lomo saltado, a savory plate of marinated beef, vegetables, and rice. Some students who were feeling adventurous even tasted cuy, or roasted guinea pig, and alpaca meat. There were various cultural cuisines to try in Lima, from Andean to Japanese to Chinese, due to massive immigration starting in the late 1800s.

We spent Easter Sunday in Lima where we attended Mass and visited the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Dominican convent frequented by both St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres, as well as the house and sanctuary of St. Rose. St. Rose of Lima, the patron saint of Peru, South America, and the Philippines, spent her life in Lima caring for the sick and poor. St. Martin de Porres, the patron of social justice and racial harmony, also spent his time in the convent with St. Rose, caring for others regardless of their race. By visiting the places where these saints spent their lives, we were able to reflect on their service to their communities and how they lived out

the Dominican pillars.

After our time in Lima, we made our way to the city of Cuzco, located in the Andes mountains, which holds a deep cultural history and beautiful architecture. We marveled at the remains of Inca civilization located both in the town of Ollantaytambo as well as the famous ruins of Machu. However, with the change of location came a change in altitude. Due to the elevation of Cuzco at over 11,000 feet above sea level, we had to adjust to the thinner air as we traveled from town to town and slowly increased our altitude throughout five days.

^{Dominican Academy students visited the tomb of St. Martin de Porres at the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo in Lima, Peru, during their Easter break trip.}

Stepping into Cuzco, I was immediately overwhelmed by the bustling markets filled with street art, textiles, and artisanal goods that reflected the vibrant culture and traditions of the community. The group took a trip to Ceramicas Seminario, a workshop run by well-known ceramicists Pablo Seminario and Marilú Behar. We learned about the process of producing pottery, as well as how modern creators use their art to tell history, continuing the legacy of their Incan ancestors. Continuing our exploration of the culture of Peru, we had the special experience of visiting a local mountain community in Lamay in order to learn about their traditions, daily life, and agriculture. The locals walked us through a routine day for them, including enjoying a

snack after cultivating in the morning, making an offering to thank Pachamama, or Mother Earth, for what they have, and preparing a meal to eat together for lunch.

Not only was the trip a chance to travel, sightsee, and take thousands of photos, but it was also an exploration of the Dominican pillars of both prayer and community. Although we came back to New York feeling thoroughly exhausted from our ventures, I’m sure we can all agree that it was a trip of a lifetime, and we wouldn’t have missed it for anything. We can’t wait to hear where Dominican Academy’s’s next journey will be!

Our Lady of the Elms School Students Bring the Four Dominican Pillars to Life

Our Lady of the Elms School (Akron, Ohio)

8th-grade theology students explored what it means to live out the Four Dominican Pillars in

their daily routines.

The class began with personal reflection and discussion, as students considered how prayer, study, community, and preaching shape their experiences both in school and at home. The conversation quickly revealed that many students were already putting these elements into practice in meaningful ways. “Through this project, the 8th graders became more aware of how they are already living out the Four Dominican Pillars in their everyday life,” said Lisa Covington, who teaches Theology for grades 6–8.

Following the discussion, students worked in pairs to create posters illustrating each of the Four Dominican Pillars. Drawing from their shared ideas, the groups used visuals and symbols to represent how the pillars are part of their lives.

The project culminated in a presentation to the 6th-grade class. The 8th graders shared their work and offered examples of how they live out the pillars each day, helping to facilitate learning as they guided younger students through the concepts. The presentation included a question-and-answer session, giving 6th graders the opportunity to engage directly with the material and learn practical ways to apply the pillars in their own lives.

Through reflection, creativity, and peer leadership, the project deepened students’ understanding of the Dominican tradition and how it continues to shape the Elms experience each day.

^{Students from Our Lady of the Elms School present their posters on the Four Dominican Pillars to the 8th-grade class during theology class.}

^{Drawing by 8th-grade students Milania Reynolds and Abigail Mogen illustrating their understanding of the Dominican Pillar of Study.}

Click here to access the eight modules

Find Something New on the Platform

The Dominican Educator Learning Community (DELC) connects teachers, staff, administrators, and board members of Dominican sponsored and legacy schools for exceptional professional faith formation opportunities in the Dominican, Catholic tradition. Click the links below to the DELC Platform and discover ways to pray, share, reflect, study, and collaborate in the spirit of Dominican charism.

Celebrate

Resources to Celebrate Dominican Feast Days - Explore and share the latest “Resources to Celebrate Dominican Feast Days” with this packet honoring the life and ministry of St. Catherine of Siena.

Pray

“The experience of knowing and loving God, of God knowing and loving us, is a transformative event, which impels us into the streets on fire with good news.” - Sr. Pat Walter, OP (Adrian),

Sr. Pat reminds us that encountering God is not just comforting, but it is transformative. To know that we are deeply known and loved by God changes us, and sends us out to preach.

We are invited to carry this intention with us this Easter Season: to move through each day aware that our presence can preach the Gospel.

Do you have a group of student Preachers at your school? Do you welcome new preachers through a commissioning prayer service? Click here to share your approach to bringing new student leaders to the group.

Reflect

The Tree of Prayer - Spring time brings new life to the natural world around us. The changing of the season can also bring a renewed sense of our spiritual lives. Consider your own spiritual journey this spring with Dominican Friar Fr. Luke Neitzke, OP, as he reflects on the simple journey of a tree. (2 min. read)

Study

Read an article from Br. Girard Timoner, OP, Master of the Dominican Order as he reflects on the intersection of the Dominican charism and Dilexi Te. (5 min. read)

Collaborate

Join us on Thursday, April 30 at 1pm ET/12pm CT/10am PT for the final IGNITE webinar of the 2025-26 school year: Unpacking Dilexi Te and Catholic Social Teaching with Students. Campus Ministers Emily Naczek, Dominican High School (Whitefish Bay, Wisc.) and Will Searcy, Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Flor.) will explore Pope Leo’s XIV first papal exhortation for elementary, middle, and high school students. Sign up here!

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