Head to class and then to Mass? New Catholic college freshman reflects on journey to Catholic Church

Ben To, a Strake Jesuit College Preparatory graduate, receives the Sacraments of Initiation as classmate and Confirmation sponsor Toby Arayath looks on at Easter Vigil Mass earlier this year at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. To is now a freshman at the University of Houston. (Photos courtesy of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory)

HOUSTON — What’s it like to be a new freshman on a college campus and a new Catholic?

Ask Ben To, who just started his freshman year at the University of Houston. To attended Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and was among the more than 2,300 people who chose to step forward in faith and become Catholic by joining the Church earlier this year.

On his journey, To was accompanied by then-fellow student and graduate Toby Arayath as he entered the Catholic Church when he was baptized at St. Theresa Parish in Sugar Land at Easter.

To said his journey to the Catholic Church was marked by teachers and family who helped guide him along the way.

The 18-year-old said he grew up in a Buddhist household and was introduced to the Catholic faith by an aunt when he was eight years old. His aunt would bring him to Mass every time he visited her family. At Mass, he’d notice the loving community at the Church and soon wanted to learn more about the Christian faith, choosing to attend Christian camps like Camp Cho-Yeh in Livingston, eventually attending Strake Jesuit. Throughout his time at Strake Jesuit and Cho-Yeh, To said he was touched by Christ’s profound love and felt a clear call to draw closer to Him.

Ben credits the high school’s theology department for guiding him as he came to know God and the Catholic Church, particularly Gabriela Karaszewski, a theology teacher who previously served as the director of the Archdiocesan Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry.

“Karaszewski helped me along the way by teaching me about the Sacraments. Her class widened my eyes for the Church and helped me grow closer to the Lord,” he said. Karaszewski is now a theology teacher at St. Agnes Academy and director of campus ministry.

During his senior year, he took a theology elective called “Praying with St. Ignatius of Loyola,” where students worked through the spiritual exercises, familiarized themselves with the basic principles of Ignatian Spirituality, and engaged with the exercises on a personal and spiritual level.

Throughout his time at Strake Jesuit, To said he always looked up to St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

“Taking a prayer class at school that uses his spiritual exercises has been extremely fruitful for my spiritual life,” To said.

But with everything going on in a young high school student’s life, why would a teenager join the Catholic Church?

After being exposed to the Sacraments for several years through his aunt and at Strake Jesuit, To said he knew it was time for a change in his life.

During his junior year, To joined the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. He admitted that one of the hardest things about RCIA and joining the Church was staying committed to the Sunday RCIA sessions after seeing his friends and family spend time together without him. Still, he knew this was where God was calling him, so he prioritized it.

Throughout his process, Arayath walked with him.

“Someone who had a large impact was my sponsor, Toby,” To said. “I met Toby in middle school but did not get to know him until I entered Jesuit. Throughout my time at Jesuit, Toby invited me to Mass, prayer groups, and a group doing Exodus 90. Through these experiences, Toby has helped me strengthen my faith and devotion to God.”

Arayath stood right next to him as he received the Sacrament of Confirmation, as To chose his classmate to be his Confirmation sponsor.

Upon entering the Church and receiving the Sacraments, To said he felt nervous initially, but that nervousness quickly turned into enlightenment and fulfillment.

“During my Baptism, I was extremely nervous at first, but after stepping out of the baptismal font, I felt cleansed and like I had been reborn. During Confirmation, I felt enlightened and smelled nothing but the chrism oil. Finally, after my First Communion, I felt fulfilled, as I have wanted to receive the Eucharist since I began my walk with Christ years ago.”

Now pursuing his first semester at the University of Houston, To said he now sees himself living a life for Christ.

“I’ve developed a larger appreciation for Communion,” he said. “That is what I look forward to every time I go to Mass. I look forward to evangelizing and showing what Christ can do to one’s life by sharing my experiences. [I hope to bring] others towards the Church and show that anyone can start their own journey with Christ.”