Above: Volunteers construct a roof during last year's CFX Tennessee trip.

Student Volunteers Sent Forth at CFX Mass

Last night, May 27, students going on the summer Companions of St. Francis Xavier (CFX) service and immersion trips joined their parents to celebrate the CFX commissioning Mass. Rev. Jim Hederman, S. J., presided over Mass at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, and the full group was addressed by President Jack Raslowsky, Dean of Students Tom Gibbons, and Director of Ignatian Service Programs Paul Wendel before proceeding to trip planning meetings.

In his remarks, Mr. Raslowsky emphasized the hope that CFX trips will leave students feeling uncomfortable about the global status quo and inspire them to ask larger questions about the world and those living on the margins.

In total, 180 students, accompanied by faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers, will participate in seven different CFX trips this summer. A longstanding part of Xavier life, the trips will take rising sophomore students to Maryland, rising juniors to Tennessee, and rising seniors to Mexico and Ecuador. Trip directors Deena Sellers, Chris McCabe, Evan Bernstein '04, and Mr. Wendel facilitated last night’s meetings for the respective programs.

“It is important that we begin the CFX experience by celebrating Mass as a community," said Mr. Wendel of the commissioning event. "Our CFX trips are rooted in the understanding that it is our faith that calls us to go out and build relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Mass allows us to thank God for the privilege this opportunity offers us.”