TRANSITIONING Returning from a pilgrimage to Ireland in June 2012, Deacon Ray DuBois had the opportunity to incorporate a fresh perspective on Celtic spirituality as he took the reins of the (then) ACES Xavier school system the following month. “A key component of Celtic spirituality is hospitality of heart,” he said. “That means that we welcome God into our heart each day, and we also welcome others because that person could be Christ.” That concept, combined with a commitment to mission, set the tone for connecting with all members of the Xavier community: building relationships, exploring spirituality, embracing our Catholic faith, and living our mission.
As he prepares to retire from Xavier after eight years as president, Deacon Ray leaves a record of improvements to the System that set the stage for his successor, Phil Riley. “Probably the most significant event during my time here is consolidating all campuses into the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System. Through our re-branding we encouraged a stronger sense of belonging to a System for students and families from preschool through grade 12. We are all Hawks!” After consolidating the elementary campuses, the middle school restructured into a grade 5-8 campus. Xavier was an early entrant into the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, and continues to be a statewide leader. It helps us achieve part of our mission: providing a quality Catholic school education to students who cannot afford one. Through aggressive admissions strategies and community outreach, Xavier increased its measure of diversity from 2.1% in 2012 to nearly 22% in 2020. In addition, the System is embracing initiatives to emphasize cultural competency and education among faculty and staff. That initiative extends to curriculum development. During this time, the school system strengthened relationships with our supporting Appleton parishes. “The Appleton pastors welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet at least monthly with our priests and pastoral leader. It’s been a terrific two-way means of communication in which we can understand each other’s needs and wants. This strong connection to our supporting parishes and parishioners is critical to our long term success.” Words of wisdom to his successor? “Stay strong in your relationship with God. Value and respect the work and opinions of those around you. Strengthen relationships with our parishes. And never lose sight of our mission: Xavier is a Christ-centered community focusing on faith, academics, community, and individual growth of our students in a safe environment.”
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“I will continue to keep the Xavier community in my prayers and would ask that you do the same for me. May God continue to bless you abundantly,” - Deacon Ray DuBois
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X, The Xavier Magazine
• Summer 2020
