Student Life
Student News
Welcoming a new co-chaplain to BNI
Bishop McClory recently appointed Fr. Ivan Alatorre as associate pastor of St. John Bosco Parish & School and co-chaplain of Bishop Noll Institute. Fr. Alatorre graduated from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and his ordination at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary took place June 7.
● Can you tell us about your journey to the priesthood and what led you to pursue this calling?
I began to feel a desire to serve in the Church around the time after I received my First Communion. I felt inspired by Fr. Patrick Gaza’s joy and holiness. But I didn’t really begin to question the priesthood until around sophomore year when I experienced a profound encounter with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. There were many moments that I ran from the calling. Out of fear, I let my insecurities, anxieties, and worries pull my heart from following the Lord’s call. I felt that by pursuing the priesthood, I wouldn’t be able to provide for my parents who provided so much for me. ○ I applied to one university and was set to go until weeks before high school graduation, I received news that the university was closing. I took it as a sign to visit the seminary, where the fraternity, the life of the seminary, and another encounter in front of the presence of the Eucharist drew me back to consider joining. ○ There are many souls who need to know the message of the Gospel. For me, pursuing the priesthood was the way to help people come to know the love of Christ in their lives, and to provide them the Sacraments, the gateway to a deeper encounter with Christ.
I began to feel a desire to serve in the Church around the time after I received my First Communion. I felt inspired by Fr. Patrick Gaza’s joy and holiness. But I didn’t really begin to question the priesthood until around sophomore year when I experienced a profound encounter with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. There were many moments that I ran from the calling. Out of fear, I let my insecurities, anxieties, and worries pull my heart from following the Lord’s call. I felt that by pursuing the priesthood, I wouldn’t be able to provide for my parents who provided so much for me. ○ I applied to one university and was set to go until weeks before high school graduation, I received news that the university was closing. I took it as a sign to visit the seminary, where the fraternity, the life of the seminary, and another encounter in front of the presence of the Eucharist drew me back to consider joining. ○ There are many souls who need to know the message of the Gospel. For me, pursuing the priesthood was the way to help people come to know the love of Christ in their lives, and to provide them the Sacraments, the gateway to a deeper encounter with Christ.
● How do you envision your role as a co-chaplain, working alongside Father Jeff?
I am beyond grateful for the continued presence of Fr. Jeff at BNI. He will certainly be a great mentor to learn from. He has a great vision to make disciples. ○ As co-chaplain, I hope to continue the ministry of presence that Fr. Jeff has begun since the time he got to BNI. I also envision working with the young students in guiding their discernment process, in the hopes that they can have a clear understanding of what vocation the Lord is calling them to follow.
I am beyond grateful for the continued presence of Fr. Jeff at BNI. He will certainly be a great mentor to learn from. He has a great vision to make disciples. ○ As co-chaplain, I hope to continue the ministry of presence that Fr. Jeff has begun since the time he got to BNI. I also envision working with the young students in guiding their discernment process, in the hopes that they can have a clear understanding of what vocation the Lord is calling them to follow.
● How do you hope to make the Catholic faith relevant and accessible to teenagers today?
I hope to share the Catholic faith through the lens of “adventure.” Seeing the faith in this lens gives a fresh vision of Christian discipleship. The teenage years are a period of exploration, discovery, and questioning. I want to show that the faith can be their own, thus showing them about the path of true friendship, how to endure trials, and how to offer their lives to God.
I hope to share the Catholic faith through the lens of “adventure.” Seeing the faith in this lens gives a fresh vision of Christian discipleship. The teenage years are a period of exploration, discovery, and questioning. I want to show that the faith can be their own, thus showing them about the path of true friendship, how to endure trials, and how to offer their lives to God.
● How do you see the relationship between the St. John Bosco parish and the Bishop Noll Institute community?
Of course, many students at BNI are either former students of St. John Bosco, or are parishioners of St. John Bosco. But the main relationship between both schools is that both are missions of our Catholic Church. Both are on the mission to form missionary disciples. I hope that both communities can collaborate to help bring an encounter into the hearts, minds, and souls of the students, but also to equip them to go out into the world and to spread the message to all they encounter.
Of course, many students at BNI are either former students of St. John Bosco, or are parishioners of St. John Bosco. But the main relationship between both schools is that both are missions of our Catholic Church. Both are on the mission to form missionary disciples. I hope that both communities can collaborate to help bring an encounter into the hearts, minds, and souls of the students, but also to equip them to go out into the world and to spread the message to all they encounter.
● What is one message about faith or service that you are most passionate about sharing with our students and faculty?
So many have fallen away from the Sacraments, or there are many who are searching to receive the Sacraments but don’t know where to start. Please know that I am available to meet and chat with you to get you started. If you have any questions of the faith, or you need to go to Confession, or you simply need some spiritual guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
So many have fallen away from the Sacraments, or there are many who are searching to receive the Sacraments but don’t know where to start. Please know that I am available to meet and chat with you to get you started. If you have any questions of the faith, or you need to go to Confession, or you simply need some spiritual guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
● How do you like to spend your free time?
During my free time, I enjoy going for a run or exercise. I ran my first marathon back in October of 2024. I am pondering another one in the near future. I also enjoy reading a book with a cup of coffee or simply doing some drawing.
During my free time, I enjoy going for a run or exercise. I ran my first marathon back in October of 2024. I am pondering another one in the near future. I also enjoy reading a book with a cup of coffee or simply doing some drawing.
● Is there anything else you would like our school community to know about you?
Don’t be a stranger. I am more introverted, but I am happy to chat with you. I hope to be present at as many sporting events, theater productions, academic competitions, etc. as I can.
Don’t be a stranger. I am more introverted, but I am happy to chat with you. I hope to be present at as many sporting events, theater productions, academic competitions, etc. as I can.
Bishop Noll Institute, a diverse, Catholic college preparatory school, partners with local faith communities to empower young adults to live their faith in Christ through ministry, scholarship, and leadership.