direction of Greg Harkness and the leadership of Jeff Angus, Lou Cicalese, Chris Napolitano, Pat Rogers, SJ, and Ben Suro, 22 rising seniors spent hours doing grueling cement work on new homes for those who are in desperate need of having their basic needs met with dignity and respect. In addition to digging a foundation for a new home, our men also worked to repair and put a new roof on a drug rehabilitation center as well as a community center. Though the work is exhausting, this experience is a life-changing encounter with the poor. According to Adam Papas ’06,“Our trip opened our eyes to the actual troubles that occur in Mexico. It also allowed us to work for change and have a sense of giving ourselves up to the needs of others.” In dialogue with those whom we work, our students learn about aspects of Latin American culture, and challenge their faith lives through daily prayer and reflection about their shared experience. Meals during the day are provided by the families with whom we work. For both groups, it is in the giving that we receive. Ricardo Castillo ’06 reflects,“The people were so grateful to see us there. They thanked us for helping them, but I went and thanked them for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.”The trip also includes a visit to the border, where we learn that many Mexicans who die
while attempting to cross into the U.S. are often under 20 years of age. Such realities cannot be ignored, and provoke our students to ask why poverty exists as such and what social structures keep human beings poor in the first place. Upon returning to Xavier, most students bring their experience back home by becoming involved in raising awareness about issues of social justice and poverty among our community, including the emergence of a renewed Amnesty International chapter. Throughout the entire school year, students are committed to raising substantial funds to support the expenses of the program. With the help of donations from family, friends, and parishes, as well as many in school fundraisers such as the Acoustic Coffeehouse, CFX members were able to raise over $48,000 to cover the costs of last year’s program. With the increased interest of our students and the generous support of the Xavier family, CFX 2006 will send a total of 97 students and 25 faculty and alumni to Tennessee and Mexico. We have already reached over $24,000 of our $80,000 fundraising goal for next summer, with a long road of preparations ahead for us. Not only did these young men build and repair homes, whether it was with nails or cement, they also built bridges of community between themselves
and the local people with whom they worked. Beyond all their effort, they enjoyed recreation time, as well as the hospitality of shared meals with local families and church groups. Most importantly, in the group’s prayerful reflection, these young men discovered that the good work of their hands was guided by the hands of Christ, who calls us to love and serve wherever we may journey. The Companions of St. Francis Xavier Service Program has deeply affected the lives of our students in so many ways, as the words of Kenny Fackovec ’06 can attest:“This experience was completely life-changing. Not only were we able to live among the poor and help them, but we also learned a lot about ourselves. There are so many basic needs in our lives that we take for granted and through this experience we gained a greater appreciation for everything in our lives, but not forgetting our responsibility towards the poor.”Yes, we could just send the money… but for us at Xavier, that just won’t do. If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the Companions of St. Francis Xavier Service Program, please contact me at 212-924-7900 x1658 or petrielloj@xavierhs.org. To learn more about the organizations with whom we work, please visit their websites at www.habitat.org and www.esperanzainternational.org.
FEBRUARY 2006
— ALUMNEWS
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