Braxton Thompson

As a child, Braxton didn’t have a name or language to categorize his love for God. He didn’t belong to a church or declare any denomination, “I focused on my relationship with Christ rather than my religious label. I only knew that God is real and that was all I needed to know. However, I did have some misconceptions about Catholicism that made me rule out becoming Catholic, as I think many people do…not belonging to a church made it so I didn't have organized religion in my life and I had always wanted that and wanted to feel a part of a family…I feel like coming to Burlington Notre Dame was God's plan. God lead me, and this is what I have been searching and praying for - a family of fellow God-loving people. I have found what I have been searching for.”

Braxton wanted to articulate his love for God. After spending 10 years in public schools, his journey took a turn to Burlington Notre Dame High School. Where Braxton had experienced a lack of community at his previous school, he felt at home right away at Notre Dame: “It was perfect. And so, I told my mom this is where I needed to be. I felt a connection to this place, I felt that this was where I could reach my full potential.”

After receiving some tuition assistance, Braxton also got a part-time job to cover the rest of the costs. He would do anything it took to make sure he could attend Notre Dame. His mom noted, “Even with working sometimes even 30-hour weeks on top of going to school, he managed the best grades he has ever received.”

Braxton moved in with his father to be closer to his new school, where some days he would be dropped off and other days he would ride his bike. The first week was full of new things: a new community and lots of new faces, but it didn’t take long for Braxton to feel welcomed.

Braxton commented on the transition to Notre Dame saying, “Mass was hard especially because I had never been to one. I knew none of our prayers and on top of that I was consistently getting lost and had questions about the school and religion but nobody got impatient with me. No matter how many questions I had, everyone was glad to help me. That completely changed my tune towards our religion. I started to listen in religion class and in Mass. I made it an effort to truly understand Catholicism.”

When Braxton turned 16, he was able to get his license and a car. He would travel home to see his mom, sister, and brother every weekend. For Braxton, “it was hard being without them, sometimes I felt like I was completely on my own, living like a freshman in college at 16, but I know I was never really alone. My family was there supporting me the entire time.” His mom commented, “The growth that has come from him emotionally, educationally, and spiritually has been jaw-dropping. He brings home his teachings and passes them on to his siblings and myself. He is so proud that he is a part of a bigger spiritual family…I couldn't imagine anyone else Braxton's age doing what he has done in his religious journey, that was a self-desired need for him that he has filled and is continuing to grow.”

By the winter of his first year at Notre Dame, Braxton decided he wanted to join the Church. He said, “I think that it was my way of thanking God for everything he had given me. I had everything I needed and was so happy with my decision to come to Notre Dame and the faith that it took. I knew that God was looking out for me. I could really feel God's presence here in everything I did.”

More recently, Braxton’s mother, Karrie has been struggling with some serious health issues. As she recounted the experiences, she spoke of when Braxton was able to visit her in the hospital, “I was transferred to a hospital that was further away, and Braxton was only able to make it to see me once. What big changes have happened for the good for both of us. But one thing burnt me like a hot knife right through the heart, but also filled my heart with so much love for Braxton's religious support community. Braxton never directly spoke of the pain he endured at public school directly to me as it just hurt him too bad to do so, but, now my even stronger Braxton explained to me how his friends, the Catholic families in the area, had been helping him, as I was not able to…I found that not being able to help him in the beginning of this transition was so hard for me, it was something I felt like I needed to do. The other moms reached out to me, and let me know that they had our back and not to worry about him. They sent me pictures at his games and would live message me when he was batting. The community cared for us. They loved us, and I barely knew them, but they knew Braxton.”

Braxton and his family have found a sense of belonging at Notre Dame. Braxton’s mom noted that they are not a ‘traditional’ Catholic family, but they are walking together on their individual spiritual paths. She has high hopes for Braxton as he continues his faith journey, “the sky is the limit I know that he will be guiding people to find their faith.”