A Moment With Newt

The Sunday morning after Newt Gingrich won the Republican primary in South Carolina, three Joliet Catholic Academy students were able to pose for a picture with the former Speaker of the House.

Juniors Nathan Dollinger (Joliet), Michael Kaminski (Joliet) and Nicholas Lennon () were in Washington, D.C., with JCA’s Respect Life club attending the school’s annual March For Life pilgrimage.

“I thought people were lying at first when they told me he was there,” Dollinger said. “But then people were swarming toward him and it was pretty chaotic. It was great to get a picture taken with him.”

Dollinger, Kaminski and Lennon met Gingrich, a convert to Catholicism, after mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Gingrich’s wife Callista sings in the choir.

A noteworthy pro-life supporter, Newt Gingrich was in the city to make a speech for the movement.

“Even before the March For Life, he was one of the candidates that stood out to me because of his stand against abortion,” Kaminski said. “It was the first time I was ever up close with someone who’s on TV.”

“It was definitely a blast,” Lennon said. “I have been taking more of an interest in politics because I will be able to vote in the next election, so it was amazing to meet and talk to one of the candidates.”

Meeting Gingrich was a nice sidebar to the trip for the 33 JCA students and six chaperones in attendance at the March For Life, the most from any Catholic high school representing the Diocese of Joliet.

“The whole weekend was so much more than I ever imagined it would be,” Lennon said. “We were able to see and do so many things there to show our faith and it was an amazing, spiritual experience.”

“It was fantastic,” Kaminski nodded. “I learned so much, and it’s one of the best times I’ve ever had.”

Indeed, it is not every day JCA students have their picture taken with a presidential candidate while attending what is called the “Mass For Life.” Theology teacher Jeremy Hylka could see it coming.

“Newt is Catholic and we have been going to Washington, D.C., for this event the past five years,” Hylka said. “He was downstairs praying, his wife is a big part of the Basilica, and fortunately a few students got the opportunity to meet him. I think it was a unique experience for Nathan, Michael and Nicholas.”

Overall, the Gingrich photo will be a nice story for Dollinger, Kaminski and Lennon to tell to their children someday. But the centerpiece portion of the trip will always remain about the entirety.

“It was a pro-life event, but it wasn’t just about that,” Dollinger said. “It was about all aspects of your faith. It actually helped you take a look at yourself, become a better person, and it changed me a bit.”