Xaverian Spirit Award at Commencement—and what a beautiful image of
love it is. Sam is one of 179 members of the Class of 2021 who shined as
servant leaders this year, both at Xaverian as role models for the younger
students and in the community at large through their service work. You’ll
see their accomplishments highlighted on the following page.
Our Xaverian faculty, staff, and administrators have manifested love
in countless ways, building enduring personal relationships whether
screen to screen or masked face to masked face. They have truly gone
above and beyond this year to ensure that all that makes Xaverian unique
and wonderful has endured, even as COVID-19 demanded so many
alterations to our daily lives. Three very special members of our faculty
and staff are highlighted here as they move into retirement (page 17).
They are Mr. Jim Lewis, P ’95, ’02, Mrs. Paula Duddy, P ’93, ’95, and Mrs.
Donna O’Connor, P ’01.
Grade 8 students learned about the power of love over hate through
a live presentation from a Holocaust survivor, building on their study
of Elie Wiesel’s Night. You can read more about that on page 8, as well
as many other projects utilizing our X-Ploration Center this year (page
9). And whether it was through service with the Special Olympics (see
Billy Lahart ’16 on page 33) or administering the COVID-19 vaccine at
Gillette Stadium (see Shawn DiTomasso ’13 on page 32), Xaverian alumni
continue to manifest love for others, too. You can read more about the
success of our alumni in the Class Notes section.
Lastly, we believe that when we are called to manifest love “to the
peoples of the world,” this means all people. That’s why we are so excited
about the appointment of our new Director of Community, Culture, and
Equity, Mr. Anif McDonald ’12. Rooted in our mission, Mr. McDonald’s
work will ensure that all students continue to be valued as unique
expressions of God’s love. You can learn more about this new office and
Mr. McDonald’s history with Xaverian on page 21.
With the world slowly moving forward from the strife wrought by
COVID-19, we give our thanks to you, Xaverian. Thank you for your
steadfast trust, collaboration, support, and love. May God bless you and
your family, and may God continue to bless Xaverian.
Respectfully yours,
Jacob A. Conca ’94, Ph.D.
Head of School