Founders Week, which culminates on Friday with the Mass for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, is a time when Xavier celebrates its roots in part by reflecting on Xaverian values.
Each day students vote for the faculty and staff member as well as a student who best reflects the value. So far this week the values have been humility and simplicity with compassion, zeal, and trust to come.
The honorees for the value of humility were Mr. Royce (faculty), Mrs. Braychak (staff) and senior Kevin Gilhuly (student). Students also are asked to submit an entry as to what the value means to them, with Freshman Sam Marsh, sophomore Henry Peeler, and junior George Clark honored.
Marsh: “Humility is being kind, patient, slow to judge, quick to accept mistakes and failures, and yet persevering and honest.”
Peeler: “Humility is an ability to humble oneself in the face of God, putting others first, and accepting one’s place among others.”
Clark: “Humility is the ability to accept the human need for Christ in one’s life.”
The honorees for the value of simplicity were Brother Ryan, C.F.X. (faculty), Mr. Grasso (staff), and junior Holden Buckley (student). Freshman Patrick Clements-Dolan, sophomore Thomas Collison, and Buckley were chosen as winners for what the value meant to them.
Clements-Dolan: “Simplicity is being equal with your peers despite your abilities, talents, and social status. Someone who shows simplicity treats everyone equally and is almost never self-centered.”
Collison: “Simplicity is the ability to remain detached from material goods while using them for a right end.”
Buckley: “Simplicity is living the way Jesus lived through not pursuing the material goods of earth, but through living a life that pursues relationship with God and neighbor.”
The week culminates not only with the Mass but with one faculty or staff member receiving the Ryken Award, which recognizes their commitment and dedication to the mission of the Xaverian charism of education.