Xavier Ushers in 169th Academic Year

Xavier ushered in its 169th academic year on September 11, celebrating student leaders and retirees while remembering alumni, family, and friends who were lost exactly 14 years before.

As the school day got off to a busy start, President Jack Raslowsky shared a video message with the Xavier community. “One hundred and sixty-eight years ago, Fr. John Larkin gathered our first group of Xavier students to celebrate Mass and to welcome them to the College of St. Francis Xavier,” he said. “The words may be different, but we gather for the same purpose—to educate young men, to be men of competence, conscience, and compassion, to live the Gospel, to work for justice."

Mr. Raslowsky also remembered the 10 Sons of Xavier lost on 9/11: John Ryan ’74, Edmund McNally ’78, Christopher Hanley ’84, Michael Andrews ’85, John Farrell ’87, Jimmy Riches ’89, Matthew Burke ’91, Sean Lugano ’91, James Coyle ’93, and Charles Heeran ’96.

Later that day, more than 1,200 members of the Xavier community filled the Church of St. Francis Xavier to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Student leaders Justin-Westbrook Lowery ’16 (President of the Student Leadership Council) and Justin DeoPaul ’16 (Cadet Colonel of the Xavier Regiment) were recognized, as were Xavier’s most recent retirees: Norma Piecyk, Rene Barahona, Rodman Barahona, and Roberto Garcia. Mr. Garcia also received the Bene Merenti Award, honoring his more than 20 years of service to Xavier. Xavier’s sponsorship agreement with the USA Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus was also signed at the Mass, rounding out an event as full as the academic year to come.

For photos of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, click here.