Alumna Profile: Raina Hooper – Living on Mission

My name is Raina Hooper, and I recently finished my first year as a theology major at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Theology has always been my favorite subject—thanks, in part, to the religion classes I took with Seton Home Study School.

Those classes opened my heart to a love for Scripture and apologetics, and that love has only intensified throughout my time in college.

Serving Others

At Franciscan, I’ve learned more about theology, philosophy, psychology, and human development. Next semester, I’m looking forward to psychology classes, particularly those specializing in personality and human development, to better encounter and understand others on campus and in ministry.

After high school, I served a year with the Holy Family Mission in Ireland and continued ministry work at Franciscan. I’ve participated in pro-life ministry outside an abortion clinic, led retreats for SENT Ministries, and assisted in music ministry. These opportunities have not only impacted my spiritual life but also allowed me to see what careers I could have after graduation in ministry or mission work.

Faith and Fellowship

Franciscan has made the transition from living my faith at home to living it away from home much easier than expected. The campus has some of the most peaceful places to pray in God’s presence.

There are several daily Masses, perpetual adoration, and frequent confession opportunities. Spiritual direction, especially, has been a beautiful blessing. My spiritual director has given me the space to mature spiritually in ways I never would have otherwise.

The greatest blessing, though, has been my women’s household, Crowns of Creation. Together, we pursue virtue while focused on the pillars of spiritual motherhood, purity, interpersonal communion, and being made in the image and likeness of God. It’s a sisterhood of faith beyond anything I could have imagined.

Rooted in Christ

Because I completed Seton’s Advanced Academic Diploma, I had an intense academic schedule in high school.

Not only did the rigor of Seton’s curriculum provide me with a firm foundation for my classes at Franciscan, but it also prepared me to maintain a college class schedule, work a part-time barista job, participate in household life and ministry outreach, and still enjoy other activities like working out and spending time with friends. Overall, Seton taught me the skills necessary to maintain a good work-life balance and the importance of incorporating Christ into everything.

To Seton students who are considering Franciscan, I could not more highly recommend it!