Meet Our OCIA Candidates and Catechumens

2025

Please keep our candidates in your prayers as they journey towards full communion with the Catholic Church, to take place at the Easter Vigil.

Reilly Fair

 I was baptized Catholic but grew up in a non-denominational church. I started dating my best friend, Sam, who is Catholic, in high school. That began my journey towards the Catholic Church. Sam and I are getting married in August of this year.  I have felt the pull from Christ for a long time to take this leap of faith and am so excited by how I am learning and growing in my relationship with God. What I love most about Our Lady of Light is the people. I have met so many wonderful people who inspire me so much. In my free time, I love walking, creating art, baking, and reading.   I am looking forward to digging deeper into the community! 

Brie Fingers

I love being a mother to sweet Ricky, our 20-month-old son.   He is my absolute world!  Ricky, my husband and best friend whose name is also Ricky, attended Incarnation school.  We have been married for three fun-filled and adventurous years. I’m blessed to be a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. I have been a nondenominational Christian my whole life.  The Holy Spirit was nudging me to strengthen my relationship with the Lord. After praying for a "sign" to pursue Catholicism, Mother Mary appeared in my dream and I have been learning and growing my faith everyday thereafter. My hobbies include home decor, thrifting/antiquing and anything outdoors.
I enjoy dismissal for the Gospel reflection!

Kelly Haws

I am a mother of two boys, Maxwell (first grade) and Luke (kindergarten), who both attend Incarnation Catholic School.  I also have a wonderful husband, Ben, and we reside in Centerville.  I enjoy traveling, reading, listening to live music, watching my boys’ sporting events and spending time with friends and family.  My sons will be baptized Catholic in June 2025 and I would like to join the Catholic faith alongside them.  I look forward to attending mass as a family.   I have very much enjoyed the OLL family and have learned lots by being part of the OCIA program and attending weekly sessions. 

Deborah Hoffman

I was born and raised in Illinois, and have lived in Michigan and now reside in Ohio. I met my husband 51 years ago and we have been married for 47 years. We have two grown sons.  I was baptized in the Catholic faith in 1969, married my husband in a Catholic Church Service, and we attend Mass at Incarnation Church. I am now preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation with the help from fellow parishioners of Our Lady of Light community. The classes are helpful in bringing what I need to know to the present time and give me confidence to move forward with Confirmation. Your prayers are appreciated.

Ron Holzinger

I grew up in Dayton and graduated from Patterson Co-op High School. I entered the United States Coast Guard where I served on active duty and civil service for 42 years and earned my degree from the University of Phoenix.  I met Mary, my lovely wife of 41 years, while stationed in New York. We have two daughters and 13 year-old twin grandsons.  I enjoy golfing, bike riding and target shooting. I have been attending St. Francis with Mary, who is Catholic, for 11 months. The Holy Spirit has moved me to a closer relationship with Jesus.

Mark Horwitz

My wife and I moved from Indianapolis in 1980 to this welcoming and loving community. We raised our family here.  Our daughter now lives in Nashville TN and our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter live in Cincinnati.  Our family has been going to Incarnation since we moved to Centerville in 1986.  I joined OCIA to find my path to getting closer to God and learn the traditions and beliefs of the Catholic faith.  This journey is a deep interpersonal exploration of my being. Now I'm retired and enjoy nature, biking, walking, having time to visit family and volunteering. Presently I volunteer at Carillon Park in the Restoration Department and as a conductor on the train.

David LaBarca

Along with my wife, Christiana, and our two beautiful children Olivia (5) and Caeleb (3), I moved to the area in 2022. After encouragement from my wife to join her in a life of Catholicism, I began the OCIA program in September 2024. This journey has been a time of deep reflection and growth, and I’m excited to join the faith community. I look forward to learning more about Catholicism, building connections with others, and deepening my relationship with God. I am truly grateful for the warmth and support I’ve already experienced from Our Lady of Light. I can't wait to continue this meaningful journey with all of you.

Alexander Mathews

I have rediscovered my faith in a meaningful way through my marriage to my beautiful Catholic wife. The Church aligns with my values, offering peace and purpose. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend Mass with family and friends. Recently, I’ve felt God calling me to deepen my faith. We’ve attended Our Lady of Light for three years, and Albert, our son, just started school at Incarnation.  As a chief engineer, I’ve focused on my career and raising our young children, but now I realize the importance of prioritizing my relationship with God. In my spare time, I enjoy family time, nature, travel, playing guitar, and indulging in video, board, and card games. I’m excited to continue growing in faith and being more involved in this community.

Nathan McDermitt

I am married to Molly, my beautiful wife. Molly is Catholic and our family has attended both OLL 
Campuses since 2018. I am the proud father of Nolan and Violet who we are raising Catholic. I am 
faithfully attending all the OCIA classes and scripture break to study the Gospel.
I truly enjoy the friendly and caring atmosphere both in OCIA and in church! I am a spare parts 
specialist at United Grinding. I enjoy family time, football, movies, books, video games and comic 
books! I am ready to be in full communion with the Catholic Church!

Emily Menker

Raised with a negative view of Catholicism, out of curiosity, I attended Mass at OLL in Nov 2024.  Observing the Eucharist, I sensed something was happening beyond mere symbolism. The people’s reverence for the Eucharist prompted a profound realization: it truly is Christ's Body and Blood. I knew I had to convert to Catholicism. I respect the depth of faith, traditions, information, guidance and support here.  I seek prayers as I navigate this new faith journey.  I am married with two boys, Sawyer and Luke. I hope to have them baptized in the Church after my confirmation. I enjoy real estate investing, cooking, fitness activities, reading and, studying God's Word and history of the Church.

Brian Raison

My wife Jill and I have attended St. Francis of Assisi Campus since we moved to Bellbrook 25 years ago. We baptized our daughters here and raised them in the Catholic faith. I was baptized 50 years ago, and grew up attending a nondenominational community church. I have desired to be in closer unity with my family in our faith traditions, and especially the Eucharist celebration. I recently asked one of my mentors, a Catholic priest, if it was okay to convert to Catholicism for these reasons. He said, “Of course. It’s your calling.”   I am enjoying the fellowship in the OCIA, the presentations, small group discussions and reflecting on the Gospels.  My hobbies include reading and gardening and family travel.

Samantha Schuh

I am deeply grateful for the warmth, kindness, connection and support I receive from Stacy, Connie, Emilie and the OCIA group.  I felt called to return to the faith because of the close relationship I had with my faith filled grandma.   I explored other Catholic churches but didn’t feel a true connection until I found this one.  Originally from Centerville, I own and operate Michael's Salon and Spa, my family’s business that I am proud to continue growing. I’m excited to contribute to our community.  I enjoy reading, hiking, exploring new places, spending time outdoors, and have a passion for food and nutrition. I share my home with four beloved fur babies who bring me much joy.  I look forward to getting to know more of you and contributing to this amazing community.

Shane Sorrell

I was brought to the Catholic Church because I wanted to be a part of the same faith as my beautiful wife and precious daughter. I also wanted to establish and refine a relationship with God. My experience with the Our Lady of Light church family has been very welcoming and I enjoy attending OCIA and Scripture Dismissal to reflect on the Gospel.  My wife Jacqueline and daughter Mary Martha also attend mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Campus. In my free time I like to relax and spend time with my family, and travel when possible. We especially enjoy traveling to Clearwater Beach, FL.

Jonathan Stella

Several things have led me to the Catholic Church but the primary reason is my Catholic wife who introduced me to the Church.  I have an intense calling I feel to know Christ.  I am happily married and have several children.  We have regularly attended Mass at St Leonard’s since 2021 and now attend Our Lady of Light since Sept 2024 for OCIA.  We really enjoy the SFACC Campus and find the people very friendly and welcoming.  The campus is also very updated and “bright”.  In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and three Siberian Huskies.  My hobbies are reading, music and studying history.

Richard Vincent

My name is Richard and I own a plumbing company with my father. I was drawn to the Catholic faith by a yearning for the ultimate truth. After spending years chasing after the idea of faith and never letting God be present in my life, I have finally found my way in The Church. My wonderful wife, Melanie, has taken this journey with me. Her and her family have been lifelong Catholics, so their support for me has been unwavering. I am blessed to experience the process of OCIA and all of the benefits it has come with as I make my journey home.

Jason Welch

My wife, Courtney, and I have been blessed with our children, Kyson and Keaton. Throughout my life, I sought to follow Christ, but in recent years, I’ve felt a deepening call toward something more—one rooted in history, tradition, and the fullness of the faith. Through prayer and study, I have come to see the beauty of the Church’s teachings, the richness of the sacraments, and the unity it offers in Christ. Now, as I walk this path through OCIA, I do so with a heart open to God’s grace and a desire to fully enter into the life of the Church. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and deepening my faith.  I enjoy traveling, outdoors activities (hiking) and fitness.