this day coming and have prepared for
it well,” says Dr. Conca. “Through the
Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools
network, they have equipped lay men
and women to continue the good work
of the Brothers, carrying the Xaverian
mission into the future. With a strong
commitment to faculty and staff
formation and a robust campus ministry
program, we ensure that our faculty,
staff, and students are more than just
familiar with the Xaverian values...they
embody them. Together, we continue
as the Brothers have begun, with an
emphasis on the Xaverian values of
humility, trust, simplicity, compassion,
and zeal.”
Dr. Conca is passionate about
Xaverian education, noting that it’s
about much more than good grades
and championships. “For me, Xaverian
education is really about the type
of men our students become,” says
Dr. Conca. “Our graduates take the
Xaverian values with them wherever
they go, whether it’s to a board room,
operating room, firehouse, stadium,
or stage, and especially to their own
families as they grow into strong and
compassionate husbands and fathers.”
with me. My faith life has been rich with
influences from Jesuit and Benedictine
institutions, but I found my home in
Xaverian education 13 years ago.”
His deep understanding of the
Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian
Brothers is so personal to him that he
refers to them as almost an old friend,
calling on them to explain his unique role
in the Xaverian story. He quotes, “You
were created by the God of love in God’s
image and according to God’s likeness, to
be a unique expression of that love. It is
through you that God desires to manifest
love to the peoples of the world in these
times…” He pauses, and then reiterates,
“in these times.” He explains, “The story
of Xaverian is much larger than any one
headmaster or principal. Dr. Conca and
I have been called to lead in these times,
and we have humbly answered that call.”
Mr. Nicholson is a graduate of Saint
Anselm’s College. He holds an M.Ed. from
Boston College and is currently a doctoral
candidate at Creighton University. Like
Dr. Conca, Mr. Nicholson brings a family
lens to his leadership at Xaverian. He and
his wife, Mandy, reside with their three
children, James, Sophia, and Elizabeth
in Norfolk. “My family is the foundation
that provides me with the energy, desire,
and enthusiasm to serve here every day,”
he says. “Family grounds you and keeps
you humble. It also gives you valuable
perspective when you are working with
students and parents. My perspective as
“My faith life
has been rich
with influences
from Jesuit and
Benedictine
institutions, but
I found my home
in Xaverian
education 13
years ago.”
MR. MICHAEL NICHOLSON
Continued on page 4
He adds, “This is not work for me, it’s a
calling. I believe the world needs more
Xaverian men.”
Xaverian’s New Principal
ichael Nicholson, Principal,
echoes that call in his
role. “The principalship
at Xaverian is a
position where you are
ultimately working in service to
something greater than yourself.
We are helping young men become
the people who God has called
them to be, and that motivates me
every day,” says Mr. Nicholson.
From the day that Mr.
Nicholson first set foot on campus
in 2018, it was clear that he, as he
says, “speaks Xaverian.” Prior to
Xaverian Brothers High School,
Mr. Nicholson served at Saint
John’s High School in Shrewsbury,
sharing the Xaverian mission as a
teacher, coach, campus minister,
and ultimately as the Assistant
Principal for Student Life. “There
is something unique about the
Xaverian charism that resonates
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson with their
children (l to r), Sophia, Elizabeth,
and James
Winter 2020 Xaverian Magazine 3