Family shares journey of faith through Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

By Becca Thiry, enrollment coordinator

When Josh and Jenae Duus first chose Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools for their children, their decision was driven by more than just academics.

They were drawn to the faith-based education and the wide array of extracurricular opportunities that Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools had to offer.

The couple, having grown up as Lutherans, saw the Christian perspective as an essential aspect of their children’s development.

Little did they know, their choice to send their children to Holy Spirit Elementary would lead them on a faith journey that would transform their entire family.

Holy Spirit Elementary provided not just a place for academic growth but also an environment where faith was nurtured. Seeing their children engage with the Catholic faith at school, attending Mass, learning about the saints and participating in community events started to spark something within Josh and Jenae. Their children’s enthusiasm for the new experiences made the couple realize that something had been missing in their own spiritual lives.

“We had attended a Lutheran church in our town for a few years, but over time, it just didn’t feel like home,” Jenae Duus said.

“Our kids weren’t getting anything out of Sunday school, and we found ourselves dreading going.”

Despite being hesitant at first, Josh and Jenae began exploring Catholicism, doing research and having long conversations with each other and their children.

“It was our kids who really opened our eyes,” Josh Duus said. “Seeing it from a child’s perspective, with their excitement for Mass and their curiosity about the saints, helped us see the depth and beauty of the Catholic faith.”

In 2024, the family made the decision to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil at Holy Spirit Parish. For Jenae, this was the culmination of a search for a “spiritual” home that had been a long time coming.

“I was a Lutheran for 33 years, but church never felt like home until we joined the Catholic Church,” she said. “The community at O’Gorman and in the Catholic Church is so welcoming; it doesn’t matter what parish you go to — people greet you with open arms.”

The family’s faith life changed dramatically after their conversion. No longer was church a chore; it became a place they wanted to be and a community they wanted to engage with. Josh, who graduated from O’Gorman High School in 2010, now felt a deeper connection to the school and its mission.

“When I went to O’Gorman, I didn’t take theology classes seriously because it wasn’t my faith at the time,” he said. “Now, I see what I missed out on, and I’m grateful my kids are getting that experience.”

Their children, Weston and Natalie, also have embraced the experience. Weston, who was fascinated by St. Patrick even before becoming Catholic, loves learning about the saints and the traditions of the Church. For Natalie, the supportive academic environment and the opportunity to participate in extracurriculars like volleyball and honor choir also have been important going into junior high. Jenae noted that Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools is academically farther ahead of where they were at their previous school.

Beyond academics and faith, Josh and Jenae have found that Bishop O’Gorman offers a community unlike any they’ve experienced before.

They recognize that the support they’ve received has helped their children thrive. “It’s not just a school; it’s a family,” Jenae said.

“When our son had issues in class, everyone — from the teacher to the counselor to the principal — was involved in helping him. We’ve never had that kind of support before.”

Looking back on their journey, Josh and Jenae are grateful not only for the education their children are receiving but also for the transformation in their own lives. They continue to find ways to get involved in their parish, attending events and considering new ways to give back to the community that welcomed them so warmly.

“We’re still learning,” Josh said, “but it feels like we’re finally where we belong.”