Luis Nava, a high school freshman at International Academy in Michigan, is mindful that he wants to be prepared to answer any questions his peers may have, but also wants to better understand his Catholic faith. He started an online newspaper called Catholic MichiganderWhere he deals with some of those and other questions.
Nava is a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion, Michigan and spent his first few years in school there. He recently spoke to students at a Catholic school about a project he started to spread the Catholic faith among teenagers and help young people understand what the faith is all about.
Nava said, “Many times, if I face questions from classmates who don’t have the same beliefs as me, I want to know what I really believe and why I really believe it.”
Learning about his faith became a discovery after Nava attended a pro-life conference in his parish in 2024. While he was there, Nava read a quote from William Wilberforce, which he says inspired him to pursue what he considers his calling: “Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me,” he said. This saying is above his desk. “I see it every day.”
Nava, who plans to study neuroscience, said he has always loved writing and hopes to start a newspaper one day. After the conference, he felt the Holy Spirit guiding him, and he got an opportunity to work on a website.
“It all came from a project I had when I was in middle school,” he said. “I was on my middle school’s newspaper in sixth grade, and then in seventh grade I took over as editor.”
Nava takes ideas for the newspaper’s content from his daily experiences and interactions with classmates. He also invites others to write with him.
The newspaper features a wide variety of articles on a variety of topics, from infertility and natural family planning to life issues and the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Nava said he writes “if a particular issue sparks my interest.” Father Jim Keane advises Nava on Catholic theology to ensure that all material adheres to Catholic teaching.
“There were reports that a large number of Catholics do not know that Jesus Christ is actually present in the Eucharist, so I thought it would be good to discuss such topics,” Nava said.
Each month, Nava writes and edits copy and posts it on the website, which includes not only his writing but the writing of some of his colleagues.
A middle school student at St. Joseph School in Lake Orion, Michigan, reviews an article in Luis Nava’s online newspaper, The Catholic Michigander. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Luis Nava/Detroit Catholic
“Some of them are parishioners here at St. Joseph Parish, but they were public school students,” said Doris Fornasiero, principal of St. Joseph’s School. “I think that’s also remarkable, that he’s reaching out and attracting students from public schools, private schools, but those who are passionate about their faith.”
Lindy Kubba, St. Joseph’s middle school religion teacher, said Nava doesn’t just write about his faith, he brings it to life.
Kubba said, “As teachers and educators, it was remarkable to listen to them because they captured this passion for faith and yet had this way of inspiring and nurturing beliefs that people already had and bringing them out into the open.”
In addition to his work with the newspaper, Nava is also active in youth groups and as an athlete, where he encourages others to live life with faith. Recently he spoke to the students of St. Joseph’s about his project.
“He is truly an incredibly positive, strong influence,” Fornasiero said. “He inspired the kids and encouraged them to speak out, that they don’t have to keep their beliefs and their feelings about their faith to themselves. He was giving them a safe space to express their beliefs.”
Nava said he is grateful to the Holy Spirit as well as mentors like Fornasiero and Kubba, and said he wants to encourage other students to be courageous enough to achieve what they dream of.
He said, “Well, I try to be a model to copy, but I mean, it’s a work in progress.”
Nava said, “Like everything, we are all called to be saints, so I’m trying to walk that path, as I’m sure everyone is a saint.” “I hope it can inspire other people to take action and realize that they can do anything. Hopefully, we can inspire all of today’s youth to really grow in their love for God.”
Nava believes that his newspaper project and his interest in neuroscience are related.
“It’s really perfect, because neuroscience and religion and spirituality go together very well,” Nava said. “If we want good mental health we need God at the center of our lives. I thought this would integrate very well with writing and religion.”
Nava said he has three years of high school left and hopes to continue with the newspaper for many more years.
“I’m not sure how it will evolve,” he said, “but I hope we can continue to have articles that teens can look at and be inspired by.”
this story was first published Reprinted here by Detroit Catholic and with permission.
