Student Corner: Marin Catholic-Bringing people ‘into the deep’
The Student Corner in Catholic San Francisco Magazine brings perspectives from Catholic school students on topics of faith.
By Robert Hadsell
Marin Catholic High School, ‘25
This year, Marin Catholic High School has gone through the process of rewriting the school motto and has adopted “Duc in Altum,” Latin for “cast into the deep.” This change comes with a new focus not only on academics, but on bringing students into a deeper relationship with God. Over the past 63 years, Marin Catholic has brought thousands of students “into the deep.” Although I have only been at Marin Catholic for one year, I have already felt its impact on my relationship with God and faith, especially through liturgy, campus ministry and athletic teams.
The Mass, or liturgy, is one of the most important and powerful prayers in the Catholic Church. In it, we reflect on the word of God through Scripture readings and receiving the Word made flesh, Christ, in the Eucharist. Marin Catholic offers daily morning Mass to any student who wants to attend in the St. Francis Chapel. Chapel, as it is called, sets the tone for one’s day and allows one to receive Christ as many times a week as one would like. By going to Chapel, I have been able to experience God and grow closer to Him. My faith has increased by knowing that on our school campus, Christ is always present. Additionally, we are given the chance to come together and celebrate the Mass as a whole community once a month. This opportunity displays the incredible beauty of the Mass and how it brings people together. As we pray together, we grow closer to God and to one another.
Moreover, the campus ministry department at Marin Catholic has deepened my faith and has given my classmates and me opportunities to share our faith with others. Marin Catholic has an outstanding campus ministry team that only wants the best for its students and for the community as a whole. Being a campus ministry leader is one of the staples of the Marin Catholic experience. Campus Ministry is known for being able to bring students deeper into relationship with God.
At the beginning and end of summer break, the campus ministry team took the time to plan and lead a retreat to help train campus ministry leaders and help them reflect on their faith life. Over these two leadership retreats, I have been able to more closely explore how God has worked and will continue to work in my life. It gave me an opportunity to look back over the past year and reflect on the wonderful experiences that God has put into my life. In addition, campus ministry organizes retreats for each class level. Retreats bring everyone closer to God and help form lifelong friendships. I am grateful for the many experiences that the campus ministry department offers Marin Catholic students.
Finally, the Marin Catholic community has helped me to deepen my faith and relationship with God through athletic teams. I am fortunate enough to be able to participate in both a fall and spring sport — cross country and track and field. The athletic teams at Marin Catholic include incredible individuals who are always there supporting one another during good and bad moments. Although cross country and track and field are typically viewed as individual sports, teammates are always on the sidelines cheering and showing support to all who participate. Their applause energizes the team and gives everyone the motivation to do their best. This camaraderie and teamwork reinforces and deepens my faith in God, as I watch teammates support, motivate and celebrate each other’s achievements.
Before every meet, the team prays together as one. We huddle together in a circle and ask God to bless and protect us as we run the race. We are all nervous and excited for the race to start, but first, we calm and center ourselves with prayer, reminding ourselves that we are always in the presence of God. I have been fortunate enough to have led prayer a few times before races and to feel the power of that prayer when we pray as a team. That experience has further opened my eyes to the power of prayer and has allowed me to share my relationship with God with my teammates. Through athletic teams, I have been able to grow in my faith and friendships and deepen my understanding of the beauty of God.
Last year, Marin Catholic helped me to expand my faith and grow closer to God to a point greater than I ever knew was possible. Through receiving the Eucharist, attending retreats in campus ministry and supporting classmates and teammates, I have had the opportunity to go deeper as a Marin Catholic student, and I look forward to my own spiritual growth. ■
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Perspectives from Catholic School students on topics of faith
Marin Catholic: Bringing people ‘into the deep’
By Robert Hadsell
Marin Catholic High School, ‘25
This year, Marin Catholic High School has gone through the process of rewriting the school motto and has adopted “Duc in Altum,” Latin for “cast into the deep.” This change comes with a new focus not only on academics, but on bringing students into a deeper relationship with God. Over the past 63 years, Marin Catholic has brought thousands of students “into the deep.” Although I have only been at Marin Catholic for one year, I have already felt its impact on my relationship with God and faith, especially through liturgy, campus ministry and athletic teams.
The Mass, or liturgy, is one of the most important and powerful prayers in the Catholic Church. In it, we reflect on the word of God through Scripture readings and receiving the Word made flesh, Christ, in the Eucharist. Marin Catholic offers daily morning Mass to any student who wants to attend in the St. Francis Chapel. Chapel, as it is called, sets the tone for one’s day and allows one to receive Christ as many times a week as one would like. By going to Chapel, I have been able to experience God and grow closer to Him. My faith has increased by knowing that on our school campus, Christ is always present. Additionally, we are given the chance to come together and celebrate the Mass as a whole community once a month. This opportunity displays the incredible beauty of the Mass and how it brings people together. As we pray together, we grow closer to God and to one another.
Moreover, the campus ministry department at Marin Catholic has deepened my faith and has given my classmates and me opportunities to share our faith with others. Marin Catholic has an outstanding campus ministry team that only wants the best for its students and for the community as a whole. Being a campus ministry leader is one of the staples of the Marin Catholic experience. Campus Ministry is known for being able to bring students deeper into relationship with God.
At the beginning and end of summer break, the campus ministry team took the time to plan and lead a retreat to help train campus ministry leaders and help them reflect on their faith life. Over these two leadership retreats, I have been able to more closely explore how God has worked and will continue to work in my life. It gave me an opportunity to look back over the past year and reflect on the wonderful experiences that God has put into my life. In addition, campus ministry organizes retreats for each class level. Retreats bring everyone closer to God and help form lifelong friendships. I am grateful for the many experiences that the campus ministry department offers Marin Catholic students.
Finally, the Marin Catholic community has helped me to deepen my faith and relationship with God through athletic teams. I am fortunate enough to be able to participate in both a fall and spring sport — cross country and track and field. The athletic teams at Marin Catholic include incredible individuals who are always there supporting one another during good and bad moments. Although cross country and track and field are typically viewed as individual sports, teammates are always on the sidelines cheering and showing support to all who participate. Their applause energizes the team and gives everyone the motivation to do their best. This camaraderie and teamwork reinforces and deepens my faith in God, as I watch teammates support, motivate and celebrate each other’s achievements.
Before every meet, the team prays together as one. We huddle together in a circle and ask God to bless and protect us as we run the race. We are all nervous and excited for the race to start, but first, we calm and center ourselves with prayer, reminding ourselves that we are always in the presence of God. I have been fortunate enough to have led prayer a few times before races and to feel the power of that prayer when we pray as a team. That experience has further opened my eyes to the power of prayer and has allowed me to share my relationship with God with my teammates. Through athletic teams, I have been able to grow in my faith and friendships and deepen my understanding of the beauty of God.
Last year, Marin Catholic helped me to expand my faith and grow closer to God to a point greater than I ever knew was possible. Through receiving the Eucharist, attending retreats in campus ministry and supporting classmates and teammates, I have had the opportunity to go deeper as a Marin Catholic student, and I look forward to my own spiritual growth.