29 PAIGE HENRY: GUIDING OTHERS WITH COMPASSION Paige Henry always felt close to God — but it was at Aquinas where that closeness became commitment. “I found my place here,” she said. “Helping others through Core Team helped me grow stronger in my own faith.” A pivotal moment came during her senior retreat. Faced with uncertainty about college, Paige turned to prayer. “I asked God for guidance, and I put my trust in Him. That experience made my faith stronger.” “Ministry guides me to become the best version of myself. I can live out my faith every day with acts of service.” Inspired by her experiences, Paige plans to become a therapist — one grounded in faith and dignity. “My Catholic faith has taught me to value love, service, and the worth of every person. I want to create safe places where people feel heard and supported.” For Paige, ministry isn’t limited to a specific role — it’s a core value that guides everything she does. She sees her future career as a therapist as an opportunity to extend Christ’s love to those in need, using her compassion and faith to serve others in meaningful ways. Whether through listening, encouraging, or simply showing up for someone, she plans to live out her faith daily through acts of service and care. As she heads to SUNY Geneseo, she’s already planning to stay rooted. “I’ll find a nearby church, pray regularly, and build a new faith community in college,” she said. “I know God is with me every step of the way.” RACHAEL HENRY: CALLED TO CARE For Rachael Henry, faith is a calling — one that echoes through every decision she’s made, including her choice to study nursing and minor in theology. “By being a nurse, I’m using my gifts to help people in need,” she said. “I’ve always felt called by God to care for others.” Aquinas gave her the space to discover that calling. “Core Team shaped my faith by allowing me to help others understand theirs,” she said. “And I’ve learned I’m a leader who enjoys being with people and lifting them up.” “Kindness is so important. Treat others the way you want to be treated. That’s how I’ll carry my faith forward.” Her favorite moments often happened in the stillness of retreat — especially Mass in the small but beautiful Martin J. Calihan ‘45 Chapel here at AQ during her senior year. “I felt so close to God,” she remembered. “And I knew this faith would always be part of my life.” Like her sister Paige, Rachael will attend SUNY Geneseo and plans to join a faith-based club and attend Mass regularly. “We’ve always supported each other in our faith,” she said. “Now we’ll keep doing that — just in a new chapter.” “Whether it’s through prayer, volunteering, or just showing kindness,” she said, “I want my actions to reflect my faith. It’s something I was raised with, and now it’s something I’ve chosen to make my own.” THEIR LEGACY: GOODNESS, DISCIPLINE, KNOWLEDGE… AND FAITH Whether it’s guiding campers, serving at Mass, pursuing healing professions, or simply being kind, these four Aquinas graduates exemplify what it means to carry faith forward. Their advice to younger students is as heartfelt as their journeys: “Trust God and believe that He is there even in times when you are struggling.”– CHRIS O’ NEILL “Faith is so much more than a set of religious rules to follow — it’s something you’ll carry with you when you’re unsure of who you are.”– ADDY MURPHY “Spread kindness and compassion, and try to keep a positive attitude. Faith will guide you through everything.”– PAIGE HENRY “Kindness is so important. Treat others the way you want to be treated.”– RACHAEL HENRY Faith at Aquinas has transformed these students — and through them, the world they’re entering will be a more compassionate, courageous, and Christ-centered place.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTcyNDA=