BOCA RATON | During a special Mass April 30 at Saint John Paul II Academy, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito welcomed 25 students and one teacher into full communion with the Catholic Church.
At the start of the liturgy, the bishop brought to mind Christian Brother Daniel Aubin, the school president since 2013 who died April 21, 2025, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His funeral Mass was April 29, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton.
“I have no doubt that Brother Dan is with us in a very special way this morning as we celebrate this Eucharist and that he’s very proud of all of you wonderful young men and women,” Bishop Barbarito said in his homily. He expressed joy at being with those to be received into full communion with the church in baptism, first Communion and confirmation.
Those who completed the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program included: Gabriella Alves dos Santos, Ian Astiazarain, Addison Austin, Noelle Austin, Brady Bond, Danna Castillo Gomez, McKenzie Combs, Daniela Contrera, Joseph Ferlanti, Giana Ferlanti, Chase Goodridge, Sasha Kaplun, chemistry teacher Ryan Haag, Yves Michel Lans, Juliana Marin, Asher Orphee, Ainsley Passarelli, Jacob Shiflet, Marissa Tankersley, Zane Tankersley, Christian Torres, Kylie Trainor, Carter Trefts, Brianna Verdi, Giavanna Verdi and Sydney Walsh.
Human beings are always looking for something to make them happy, the bishop reminded the students. God put that desire for happiness into their hearts. But “we realize no matter how much we may achieve or attain, we’re never really fully happy because it’s only when God’s part of our lives, part of the picture, that we find that happiness,” he said. “And it’s only when we’re with him forever, as we now believe Brother Dan is, in the fullness of life, that we have the fullness of happiness.
“This is a happy day. This is a day in the season of Easter in which we celebrate our faith and who we are and what the meaning of life is all about. How much our world needs that lesson today,” Bishop Barbarito said. “We do so with a very special love and fondness for Brother Dan, who gave us a wonderful example of a person living their faith each and every day, and what joy that brings because it was God who was at the center, God who makes the difference, God who gives us life.”
As the bishop began the sacraments of initiation, he blessed the water before baptizing Sasha Kaplun, who was celebrating her 18th birthday. She then donned a white robe as a sign of her new life of faith.
“Sasha, you have been enlightened by Christ. Continue to walk as a child of the light and keep the flame of faith alive always in your heart,” Bishop Barbarito prayed. “As you have become a new creation and clothe yourself in Christ, receive this baptismal garment and bring it unstained to the judgment seat of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you may have everlasting life. Amen.”
The bishop then confirmed all 26 of them, anointing them with holy oil. “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” he said, addressing them by their chosen patron saint.
At the end of the liturgy, Msgr. Tom Skindeleski, the school’s chaplain, thanked the bishop for leading the Mass, along with Carmelite Father John Horan, pastor of St. Jude in Boca Raton; Deacon Armando de Leon, math teacher; and the choir and musicians. The monsignor gave special recognition to Colin Smith, campus ministry director, who coordinated the OCIA program with theology chair Christopher Berghout and theology teacher Ryan Longton.
To learn more about Saint John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton, visit https://www.sjpii.net or call 561-314-2100. Follow the school on Facebook and Instagram. Stay updated on the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools at www.diocesepbschools.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram at @diocesepbschools.
