Above: Xavier's annual Christian Service Mass, held this year on January 29,
sent seniors forth into their communities to give back.

Seniors Sent Forth to Serve

Living out Xavier’s commitment to a faith that does justice, seniors were sent forth to serve their communities at January 29’s Christian Service Mass.

Two hundred and fifty-six seniors began their service at 134 locations across New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey the following Monday, February 1. Service placements range from schools to soup kitchens, senior centers to hospitals.

This year’s seniors follow in the footsteps of older Sons of Xavier, who for thirty years have made service to others a priority during the spring semester of their senior year. Seniors will devote each Monday of this semester to the service placement of their choice.

“A central goal of the Senior Christian Service Program is to get seniors to build relationships with others, to step out of their comfort zones, and challenge themselves by interacting with a population that may be new to them and to see how they grow from doing so,” said Director of Ignatian Service Programs Paul Wendel. “Our hope is that they begin to understand how their gifts and talents can be used to serve the world, and how in serving others they themselves can be transformed.”

Read upcoming editions of the E-News for updates about our seniors’ service journeys.