Above: Meg Florentine, Visiting Team Chair

Sponsorship Review Team Visits Xavier

This week, a team from the USA Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus visited Xavier for its sponsorship review. Meg Florentine, provincial assistant for secondary and pre-secondary education and chair of the visiting team, provided the E-News with an overview of the sponsorship review process.

1. Can you explain the sponsorship review process for Xavier E-News readers? 
Jesuit schools have evolved tremendously over the past several decades but have remained attentive to strengthening their Jesuit identity and their mission in service to the Church and to all students entrusted to their care. The responsibilities to preserve the Catholic, Jesuit, and Ignatian identity are shared by the Northeast Province, the Xavier Board of Trustees, and ultimately the faculty and administration of Xavier High School.

This sponsorship process seeks to validate the Jesuit, Catholic nature of the schools. Following the paradigm that guides Ignatian pedagogy, the process encourages reflection on the lived experience leading to goal-setting for schools that are always seeking to transform the world for the "greater glory of God.” Xavier High School reflected on its work and prepared a self-study that identified the school's direction and proposed areas for growth.

A team of educators from Jesuit schools served on a visiting team to review the Xavier High School self-study, to meet with the Xavier Board, Jesuit community, leadership team, faculty, staff, and students to affirm the school's direction and to report to the Provincial on the areas where the school should be commended for its work and to confirm areas for future growth.

2. Why is it valuable for Jesuit schools to work together to implement our shared mission and values? In which ways do you see the province's schools sharing this important work?
We have a strong network of schools and other Jesuit ministries. Collaboration among these ministries enriches the experience of all who minister and all who are served. 

3. How do you feel Xavier lives its mission and values?
The visiting team applauds the work of Xavier High School. It was clear that Xavier teaches young men to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service to others, to pursue excellence, and to deepen their relationship with a God. We noted a strong sense of mission in the school, creating an environment in which educators enjoy teaching and students enjoy learning. It was truly a joyful experience to be at Xavier. The team experienced many graces in conversations with students, faculty, staff, and the Xavier Board.