Xavier Magazine: Summer 2025

XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS OF XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

SUMMER 2025

SUMMER 2025

In This Issue 2.

From the President

4.

News from 16th Street

14. Toward a Hope-Filled Future 24. A Neighborhood of Learning 30. Inside Alice By Heart 36. Excellence in Every Endeavor: The 2025 Hall of Fame Class 44. Sons of Xavier 64. Back Story

Christian Bachez ’19, an artist and graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, puts the finishing touches on a mural in the Quad—the senior class gift from the Class of 2025.

SUMMER 2025

Xavier High School Jack Raslowsky P’16 President Kim Smith Headmaster Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR Vice President for Communications and Marketing Editor, Xavier Magazine Contributors Ralph Dinielli David Orlando ’17 Jennifer Reeder Astrea Slezak Kim Smith Photography Steven Martine Michael Marmora Jill Mongelluzzo P’25 Reena Rose Sibayan Mark Wyville Design Erbach Communications Group How to Reach Us Xavier Magazine 30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011 Email: news@xavierhs.org

Xavier’s Mission Founded in 1847, Xavier High School is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school in New York City that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means. Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.

On the Cover Chad Theodore Herry ’25, right, stars in Xavier’s spring musical, Alice By Heart, alongside Winter Donnelly, a sophomore at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School.

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/// FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Work for Peace

Dear Parents, Friends and Sons of Xavier: “Peace be with you!”

The first words of the Risen Christ and the first words of Pope Leo XIV. The Holy Father continued, “I, too, would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, to reach your families, and all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!”

When I received word of the white smoke, my heart leapt with the hearts of millions around the world. I turned on the TV and waited. I listened to the announcement by Cardinal Mamberti and I had no idea who the new pope was. The same was true when I saw him. We would all learn very quickly about Robert Cardinal Prevost. The Holy Spirit once again did God’s work, and God once again was a God of surprises. An American. A White Sox fan.

An Augustinian. How proud we were to have a Jesuit pope. God bless the Augustinians, and our brothers and sisters at Villanova.

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I suspect the Cardinal-electors recognized Cardinal Prevost as a good and holy man, a loved sinner, with the talent and temperament to lead the church well, to spread the good word of Jesus Christ and to bring people to God. His first words to us were not his, but God’s— clearly a good sign. May we always be attentive to God’s word and may we take seriously the instruction implicit in Pope Leo’s greeting. If peace is to be with us, we must be peacemakers: men and women of and for peace, men and women who recognize that peace and justice go hand in hand. The psalmist tells us: “Kindness and truth shall meet: justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.” (PS 85: 11-12) Sarah and I were recently out to dinner with the America Media O’Hare Fellows discussing the political climate and polarization in America. The coarseness of discourse was a particular concern and one of the fellows asked me how we deal with this at Xavier. My answer came easily. What may be acceptable elsewhere is not always acceptable at Xavier. Expectations and norms remain here.

Respect, decency, care, truth. They are not rooted in convenience or in the moment. They are rooted in God, in the sacred, and in the God-given dignity that is embedded in each and every one of us. With that God-given dignity comes a responsibility to do what is right and call others to do the same, and so we do.

After the publication of the winter magazine, I received a number of calls and letters about our inclusion of a class notes submission that featured a photo of alumni wearing MAGA hats and other apparel. I raise this here not to litigate the issue, but to share some important observations and to publicly thank those who wrote or called to raise their concerns. The concerns were rooted in a deep care for and commitment to Xavier’s mission and a worry that we were endorsing positions contrary to our mission.

I understand and acknowledge the concerns and recognize that symbols have meanings and convey messages. It can be easy when we disagree with people or institutions to just walk away, to grumble but not say anything. To give up and move on to something else. I think this is a mistake. Disagreement at Xavier should be an invitation to engage and listen. I hope I can always model that and I hope Xavier continues to be a place that embraces dialogue, listening and engagement. Through engaging one another we can learn and grow, and even change, thanks be to God. The mission of Xavier is clear and rooted in the mission of the church as lived out in the Society of Jesus, “the promotion of faith of which justice is an absolute requirement,” and in Pedro Arrupe’s Men for Others, “love of God which does not issue forth in love of neighbor is a farce.” It is a mission we proudly profess. I hope Sons of Xavier, whatever their political affiliation, will work to give life to this mission. Your engagement when you agree and when you don’t is a gift to us. I appreciate those who raised concerns and the conversations that followed. Whatever the issue, we are always better talking than not, and this is especially so when there may be disagreement.

The magazine once again opens the door to our mission in action. From wonderful news from 16th Street, to a great, in-depth story on what is happening in our English, history and religion classes, to a celebration of dramatics at Xavier, to our deepening relationship with the Center for Jewish History, our neighbor across the street, it is clear that God is at work in our students, teachers, staff, and alumni. Dr. Linda LeMura, president of Le Moyne, is featured in the board profile. She serves on the board with her old friend, Fr. Joe Marina, S.J., president of the University of Scranton. I would need another magazine to extol the virtues of Le Moyne and Scranton. They are outstanding schools that deserve consideration from all our students. They are universities where our students are well cared for, challenged and always warmly welcomed, as they are throughout Jesuit higher education.

As I was writing this letter, I learned of the passing of Tom Gibbons P’28. For 26 years, Tom was a gift to

Expectations and norms remain here. Respect, decency, care, truth. They are not rooted in convenience or in the moment. They are rooted in God, in the sacred, and in the God-given dignity that is embedded in each and every one of us. With that God-given dignity comes a responsibility to do what is right and call others to do the same, and so we do.”

Xavier. He did a lot in those 26 years. He coached. He taught. He was Assistant Dean of Students, a guidance counselor, Dean of Students, and a college counselor.

He also had a life away from school. He loved his wife Sue and supported her career as a nurse. He and Sue had three terrific children, Tommy ’28, Riley and William. Tommy just finished his freshman year at Xavier. Tom Gibbons was a son, brother, son-in-law and uncle; he was a loyal friend; he coached youth sports, went to back-to-school nights and helped build his community. He was a proud son of Queens and a proud alumnus of the University of Scranton. Tom cared very deeply for the young men of Xavier and for his colleagues. In everyday encounters, the excitement of college acceptances and the disappointment of college denials, Tom walked with us in faith and hope.

He enjoyed us; his twinkle and smile always made that very clear. Tom loved us. I know Fr. Bill McGowan, S.J. and the counselors of old have welcomed Tom home to the Lord. Rest in peace, Mr. Gibbons.

Let me close making the words of Pope Leo mine: “Peace be with you! I, too, would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, to reach your families, and all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!”

Please keep Xavier in your prayers. Be assured of my prayers for you.

Happy summer.

Jack Raslowsky President XAVIER MAGAZINE

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NEWS FROM 16TH STREET

Shakespeare Festival Returns After the success of the inaugural Shakespeare Festival in 2024, Xavier’s tribute to the Bard returned to Keenan Commons on March 12 and 13. Students performed monologues, presented short films, and engaged in verbal sparring matches with their teachers and each other, drawing on comical insults from Shakespeare’s plays. Above, English teacher Jennifer Kennedy-Orlando P’21 leads the charge during one such sparring match.

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Read more at xavierhs.org/newsroom

NEWS AND NOTES In February, English Department Chair Aidan Byrne earned a master’s degree in private school leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Led by Cadet Colonel Dean Domingo ’25 and his senior staff, the Xavier Regiment marched up Fifth Avenue during the 264th New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

They were accompanied by President Jack Raslowsky and Headmaster Kim Smith.

Ninety-three members of the Xavier community shaved their heads to benefit childhood cancer research on March 14. Stylists from Gina Le Salon, a hair salon on 13th Street, volunteered their services at the event. Student and faculty participants raised more than $23,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants.

••• Fine arts teacher Denise Iacovone and her husband, Xavier Hall of Famer Rocco Iacovone ’62, returned to Messina, Italy, in April. Rocco composed and conducted music inspired by the artist Caravaggio, while Denise made the music visible through her live art paintings.

••• Three Xavier seniors signed letters of intent to play Division 1 sports this fall. D’Angelo Brown ’25 will run cross country and track at Indiana University, Francesco Muro ’25 will play baseball at Manhattan University, and Evan Tarozzi ’25 will play football at Brown University.

••• Rochester’s PUSH Physical Theatre recently named Computer Science and Technology Department Chair Michael Chiafulio P’23 ’27 to its board of directors. PUSH has visited Xavier three times to work with drama and film students. “PUSH’s mission is in league with Xavier’s work as they seek to bring their artistry to underserved communities through their Artful Aging program for the elderly and their Villa of Hope program for marginalized youth,” Chiafulio said. “I’m excited to expand their ability to perform their unique work for our students.”

Emilio Paturzo Gonzalez ’27 took the gold in the cadet men’s individual sabre championship at the 2025 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships in Wuxi, China, on April 8. Paturzo Gonzalez has been fencing since he was 8 years old.

“My reaction to winning the world title was unreal,” Paturzo Gonzalez said. “To be able to perform in front of a huge crowd in Wuxi, China, was an unforgettable experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

To see all my hard work pay off and to be able to call myself a world champion means the world to me.”

On May 15, legendary Xavier football coach Chris Stevens ’83 was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Hall of Fame. The winningest coach in Xavier football history, Stevens retired as head coach at the end of the 2023-24 school year following a storied 32-season coaching career, with 22 of those seasons as head coach.

Stevens joined fellow Xavier greats Joe McGrane P’20, Pat Dormer P’17, and Rich Duffell P’93 ’99 in the CHSAA Hall of Fame.

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/// NEWS FROM 16TH STREET The Holocaust Studies Program celebrated its second anniversary with a dinner on May 1. Tom Maher ’80— who along with his wife, Nancy, envisioned and funded the program—was presented with the President’s Medal for his leadership, generosity, and service to Xavier. “The man we honor tonight has invited the Xavier community into study, experience, and reflection on the Holocaust. Study, experience, and reflection to lead us into action,” Director of Annual and Planned Giving Brian McCabe P’23 said during the medal presentation. “His witness, commitment, and generosity have touched all gathered here, and transformed Xavier for good.”

On April 19, D’Angelo Brown ’25 won gold for Grenada at the 52nd CARIFTA Games, triumphing in the U-20 boys’ 1500-meter race. The achievement marked his first international title. He also placed second in the U-20 800-meter race.

Winning gold was an unforgettable moment.

I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support from my coaches, teammates, parents, and everyone who helped make this achievement possible.

This win is for them as well.”

Jude Kazan ’28 is a nationally-ranked competitive chess player. He has competed in 336 tournaments across the country, most recently in early May in Orlando, Florida.

The golf team defended its CHSAA divisional title on May 7, defeating Monsignor Farrell 4-1.

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Read more at xavierhs.org/newsroom

missed a beat, whether it was the olden days where everybody was a Jesuit, or now having handed over the keys, so to speak, to largely lay leadership. That bodes well for the future, not only at Xavier, but for Jesuit education writ large.

Xavier is the poster child for moving the mission forward in accordance with what St. Ignatius thought about 500 years ago—that you go in, you do amazing work, you prepare the institution or the apostolic work for the next generation, and when it’s time, you hand it over to lay leadership, knowing that you have done your job well.

How did you come to serve as a Xavier trustee?

Q&A WITH DR. LINDA LEMURA Dr. Linda LeMura is a trailblazer—a scientist, professor, and the first lay female president of any Jesuit college or university in the United States. Since 2014, she has served as president of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, and she joined Xavier’s Board of Trustees last year. In May, she sat down with Xavier Magazine to talk about her goals as a trustee.

What is your favorite part of board service?

My first year has been a fascinating learning experience. I’m getting to know who the players are on the Board of Trustees. I listen carefully to their aspirations, love, and affection for the school—to their desire for excellent stewardship, succession planning, all the things that point toward a school that has a vibrant future. And then I think about where I can add the most value as a president who prides herself on thinking in unconventional ways.

One of the reasons I love serving at Xavier—and I also appreciate Jack Raslowsky’s great stewardship—is Xavier’s comfort with lay leadership and deep understanding and affection for the Jesuit charism. The charism hasn’t

I was a trustee of the College of the Holy Cross for eight years. After my board service ended, I wanted to get on another board, and I didn’t want it to be another college or university. I have affection for McQuaid Jesuit in Rochester and also Canisius High School, but I thought, “I want to get to know Xavier better.”

We have a very similar profile in terms of the kinds of families we serve. And because of the volume of our alums moving to New York City, I thought if I could garner an invitation that all the stars would align—where I could get to know this school that I’m very fond of even better, and at the same time make space on these trips to meet alumni, many of whom are alums of Xavier.

How does your board service strengthen the relationship between Xavier and Le Moyne? How would you like to see the relationship grow?

When Xavier students choose Le Moyne, they’re taking a path that is unconventional. When a student goes his own way, against the grain, they’re among our most successful and philanthropic students because they want to do things differently. They’re more entrepreneurial.

I meet with them when they come here.

There’s that New York City confidence that I feel when I meet with them that I

absolutely love. My love for Xavier really comes from our students and alumni who went there—when they talk about it, about the impact it had on their lives and how it prepared them for college life and life beyond college. There are so many phenomenal Jesuit prep schools, but Xavier is among my very favorite because of the affection I feel for your graduates.

They’re always incredibly warm, and we have interesting conversations about why they chose Le Moyne.

I would like to see us get more students from Xavier. That’s hardly a mystery. Every college president would love to get more students from Xavier, but there’s a match here that has yet to be truly optimized. I fully intend to attend as many board meetings as I can in person and to get to know the community even better, because over time, I think that Le Moyne’s place in the higher education ecosystem is going to be even more attractive to Xavier families.

CORNER

BOARD

Xavier has a pulse unlike any other Catholic school in New York City, in my opinion, that is tangibly aspirational.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would like alumni to know how much I respect their alma mater and how distinctive it is, not only in Jesuit education in general, but in New York City. Xavier has a pulse unlike any other Catholic school in New York City, in my opinion, that is tangibly aspirational. We can all use lofty words to describe our educational institutions. But Xavier delivers on its promises. That, in and of itself, makes it easy to love the Xavier community.

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/// NEWS FROM 16TH STREET

Witnessing the growth and transformation of our cadets has filled me with purpose and pride.”

Xavier rugby took home the CHSAA championship with a resounding 54-7 win over St. Anthony’s High School on May 2. Later that month, the team came in fourth at the national tournament in Elkhart, Indiana.

After eight years of service as Xavier’s Senior Army Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kelly, USA (Ret.) bid 16th Street farewell to move to North Carolina at the end of the 2024-25 school year. “His tenure has been one of growth for the Regiment, and he leaves us in good standing because of his work to maintain the Regiment as a point of pride and discipline,” Headmaster Kim Smith said. “There is much to celebrate in the legacy he leaves.”

Brooklyn Jesuit Prep honored Jack Raslowsky with the Sr. Thea Bowman Award at the school’s annual gala at the New York Athletic Club on May 21.

Raslowsky is a former BJP board chair.

The award honors those who demonstrate the late Sr. Thea Bowman’s belief in the transformative power of education to bring about a more compassionate, multicultural community of justice and faith.

The Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) honored longtime history teacher and track and cross country coach Pat Dormer P’17 at the Randall’s Island Gala on June 10. In announcing the award, RIPA noted: “A fixture in the New York running community, Pat joined Xavier High School in 1993 as coach of the cross country and track and field teams.

Under his leadership, Xavier’s track program has grown from 11 athletes

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into one of the largest in New York State today, with over 170 athletes.

His teams train, compete, and have set numerous school records at Icahn Stadium. We are proud to honor Pat and celebrate his tenure at Xavier, where he has coached 56 AllAmericans, led the team to six CHSAA state titles, and in the fall of 2024, Xavier became the first New York City school to qualify for the prestigious Nike Cross Country Nationals.”

Read more at xavierhs.org/newsroom

THE PHOTO OF THE YEAR: DOMINO SUGAR

In May, students, faculty, and staff voted to select the Photo of the Year from among submissions taken by Photography Club members. Club president Carter Beckles ’25 took top honors with his shot of Brooklyn’s historic Domino Sugar Refinery.

“I am grateful to be selected for this year’s Photo of the Year, and I want to acknowledge all the other nominees for their amazing work. Serving as the club president for the last two years has been a great experience, and I wish all the best to our future representatives,” Beckles said. “I took this photo on Father’s Day when my family and I went on a ferry ride down the East River. While on the ferry, I saw the Domino Sugar Refinery and was immediately inspired. I envisioned the shot in my mind before taking it. Once I knew how I wanted the image to look, I took the shot using my Nikon D7500.

After an hour of experimenting in Adobe Lightroom, I found the perfect combination to enhance the photo.

After I showed it to my mom (my foremost critic) and Ms. Lojo (my club moderator), they both fell in love with the image, which gave me confidence that I had done a good job. Thank you all for your votes!”

Block X Awards

On May 13, three seniors earned Xavier’s storied top honors at the Block X Awards—a Xavier tradition since 1941. D’Angelo Brown ’25 won the Bernard M. Moynahan ’30 Scholar-Athlete Award, Chad Theodore Herry ’25 won the Rev. Edward J. Spinello, S.J. Award for Co-Curricular Activities, and William-Birane Diouf ’25 won the Gerard J. Werckle Award, which recognizes a senior who exemplifies Christian service.

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/// NEWS FROM 16TH STREET

The Cashin Conversation The inaugural Art Cashin, Jr. ’59 Memorial Business Leadership Forum, named for the late Wall Street legend and CNBC analyst, drew more than 100 Sons of Xavier to the New York Stock Exchange on March 10. The event was held in the NYSE’s storied former luncheon club, where titans of industry like J.P. Morgan (and Cashin himself ) once held court around the bar.

Wall Street veteran Dr. Michael Driscoll ’78, a former university dean and professor, moderated a lively panel discussion featuring John Duffy ’78, a partner at NuOrion Capital and Spayne Lindsay & Co.; John Meditz ’66, co-founder and managing director of Horizon Kinetics; and Peter Seccia ’85, global head of equity derivatives at Jefferies.

The Washington Post—“Wall Street’s version of Walter Cronkite.”

A noted philanthropist, he led the Exchange Christmas Dinner Fund from 1982 until 2006, providing meals to 185,000 people in that final year, and he also chaired the NYSE Fallen Heroes Fund, which raised more than $6 million for families of first responders after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Cashin remained a loyal, generous Son of Xavier throughout his lifetime, often dropping whatever he was doing on the trading floor if he was told someone from Xavier wanted to meet him. He was inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame in 2010.

According to his son, Peter Cashin: “Dad always talked about Xavier being the most formative years of his life.”

Dad’s legacy on the floor is not just business, but his charitable work.

The intent is that every year, there will be an incoming freshman who gets a four-year scholarship in his honor—to hopefully turn out to be the same type of man my father turned out to be.”

—Art Cashin III

Cashin’s sons, Art III and Peter Cashin, made a surprise announcement at the event: In honor of their father, who benefited from a full scholarship to Xavier, they would endow the Arthur D. Cashin, Jr. Memorial Scholarship and fund four full scholarships on 16th Street in perpetuity.

Both Cashins said their father, who was well-known for his generosity, would have expected nothing less.

“Dad’s legacy on the floor is not just business, but his charitable work,” said Art Cashin III. “The intent is that every year, there will be an incoming freshman who gets a four-year scholarship in his honor—to hopefully turn out to be the same type of man my father turned out to be.”

Art Cashin had turned out to be that rarest of Wall Street creatures—ebullient, kindhearted, beloved by all parties. After the death of his father in 1958, he gave up a college scholarship to work and support his family. He rose from his first role as an assistant clerk at Thomson McKinnon to become one of the youngest-ever members of the NYSE (at age 23) and, eventually—in the words of

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/// NEWS FROM 16TH STREET

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

College Counseling

It’s a Thursday, and the William J. McGowan, S.J. College Counseling Center bustles with students as juniors prepare for college application season and seniors await and evaluate their decision letters. Students swarm in and out of the suite, discussing best-fit schools with their counselors and collaborating in common areas. The space is rarely empty.

“Every student is a unique individual,” said Megan Fraker, Xavier’s Director of College Counseling. “We like to plug in and support the student and family with whatever they need.”

College counselors meet with students one-on-one to help them assess which college is best for them—what staff refer to as a student’s “best fit.”

Fraker describes that process as a Venn diagram. Intertwined are three circles: socioemotional fit, academic fit, and financial fit. Where do those converge, and where do they stand alone? Answering those questions begins with private conversations between counselors and students, and then with parents.

On this particular day, juniors meet for the sixth of their nine college counseling classes, which prepare them to write application essays and grapple with college choices. Today’s task is to brainstorm personal statements; the challenge is to avoid cliché topics. “We want to make sure our students are presenting themselves in a way that shows them as unique and special individuals,” Fraker said.

In the middle of the morning, counselors break away from assisting students to meet with one another and discuss goals, measure the success of previous initiatives, and set action plans for the future. The team then divides and conquers.

As the day wears on, students continue to fill every seat in the room, lining the couches and hovering in office doorways, working to tie their high school journeys into a bow. With the help of Xavier’s college counselors, they will be sent forth from 16th Street to transform the world.

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The Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel.

Thus, in language intelligible to each generation, she can respond to the perennial questions which men ask about this present life and the life to come, and about the relationship of the one to the other. We must therefore recognize and understand the world in which we live, its explanations, its longings, and its often dramatic characteristics.”

—Gaudium et Spes, the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World, 1965

Toward a Hope-Filled Future

BY SHAWNA GALLAGHER VEGA

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n 2019, after a 16-month discernment process, Jesuit Superior General Arturo Sosa, S.J. announced four Universal Apostolic Preferences that would guide the Society of Jesus in the decade to come. One of the four— journeying with youth toward a hope-filled future—gave voice to the mission of nearly 4,000 Jesuit schools around the globe, and in particular to Xavier.

Fr. Sosa could not have envisioned what was to come. The COVID-19 pandemic. Political and social upheaval. Terror attacks. War. Disinformation. The questioning of truth itself.

But the ongoing priority he and the worldwide Society place on the formation of young people colors our work and is in itself a reason for hope.

Each day on 16th Street, teachers and students consider the Church’s enduring call to read the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the Gospel as they navigate complicated questions both ancient and new. How do we disagree without dehumanizing? How do we engage in and not retreat from a bitterly divided world? How do we differentiate truth from fiction? Who are our neighbors, and what are our responsibilities to them?

Xavier’s mission concludes with a clarion call to send students forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory. On the pages that follow, members of three academic departments—English, religion, and history—contemplate the ways they form young men and make that mission real.

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n his 2024 letter on the role of literature in formation, the late Pope Francis wrote, “Literature … proves essential for believers who sincerely seek to enter into dialogue with the culture of their time, or simply with the lives and experiences of other people. … Even more, reading prepares us to understand and thus deal with various situations that arise in life. … We must never forget how dangerous it is to stop listening to the voice of other people when they challenge us!”

Absorbing the lessons of varied voices is a value that drives English Department Chair Aidan Byrne’s teaching. In his AP Literature class, students engage with challenging texts like Beloved, Nickel Boys, The Scarlet Letter, and Old School—an attempt to develop excellent students of literature as well as empathetic citizens. Similarly, his sophomore honors World Literature students read Exit West, pairing scenes from the novel with newspaper articles about U.S. migrant camps to encourage cultural awareness and compassion as crucial competencies.

Xavier’s teachers and the philosophy behind everything that we do here fosters respect and an openness to learning from others despite disagreeing.”

—Thomas Fitzmaurice ’26

The product of a Jesuit education himself, Byrne said he draws on his own Ignatian formation as he engages with students today.

“My beliefs were formed by my teachers, the work that they did, and my own experiences,” Byrne reflected. “Part of what we fight against is a culture that tells our kids that we teach certain books to our students to make them feel bad about themselves.

Wrong. We teach literature. And we have an obligation as Catholic educators to highlight the connections between our books’ characters and events and things that are happening to real people in the real world right now. By doing so, we teach compassion.”

Colin Riordan ’25, an AP Literature student, said some of the most challenging readings—like Beloved—have helped him consider new perspectives. “I like books about American history, books that cover issues like slavery from a perspective that someone like myself would never experience,” he said.

Leo Burnett ’25, another student in the class, appreciated the course’s rigorous pacing and active group discussions. The communal aspect of learning appealed to him after spending XAVIER MAGAZINE

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his seventh and eighth grade years learning virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My personal favorite part about AP Lit is the way that we’re encouraged to really take our time to scrutinize the texts that we are assigned to decipher the author’s intent. I’ve enjoyed being challenged by this investigative aspect of the class, as well as hearing different interpretations of the text from my peers,” Burnett said.

“The ability of Mr. Byrne and my classmates to see complex details in a passage that might seem simple or insignificant is always very impressive to me. I’ve learned to broaden my perspective to notice literary devices that I would never have recognized before and to not get too fixated on looking for a specific aspect in the writing so as to not miss something more important.”

In AP English Language and Composition, taught by veteran English teacher Mary-Grace Gannon P’03 ’07 and Headmaster Kim Smith, students spend significant time analyzing historic and modern rhetoric. In both classes, students focus on rhetoric’s Aristotelian foundation—ethos (character), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic)— as they examine texts and craft their own arguments.

In Gannon’s class, particular readings pique students’ interest.

“I did a speech by Michael Bloomberg dating back to the issues surrounding the planned mosque at Ground Zero. We did the Declaration of Independence line by line,” she recalled. “They read Frederick Douglass’ memoir and his rhetoric stood strongly in powerful contrast to the rhetoric of fall 2024. They were mightily impressed with Douglass, who befriended young white boys who could read to learn the basics, and subsequently taught himself Chris Stevens ’83

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Kim Smith

everything he needed to know about rhetoric from one book, The Columbian Orator.”

She continued: “Douglass’s persuasive descriptions of the way bondage dehumanized the enslaved and how being enslaved is an impossible condition for an educated person were powerful testaments to how far we have come in this country. … The ad hominem attacks in letters written by white detractors of Douglass, and Douglass’s letters written to white people who were trying to discredit him and argue that slaves lived in a happy condition, were really interesting to read in the fall as well since so many in our current-day political landscape create their own narratives and fake news. Students ultimately recognized that ‘fake news’ is nothing new—and that what’s new is the lightning speed with which that news spreads. Through these voices from the past, the students drew some important conclusions about human nature and history repeating itself.”

Burnett, who took Gannon’s class last year, said he and his classmates continue to reap the benefits of her effective, exacting teaching style.

“Ms. Gannon’s AP English Language and Composition class made a lasting impression on my writing, and the majority of my classmates would say the same thing if you asked them,” he said. “Whether I’m writing a five-page argumentative essay or a simple email to a gym to ask for a discounted rate for the climbing club, I think back to Ms. Gannon’s lessons on the application of logos, ethos, and pathos.

Especially entering the college application season, Ms. Gannon’s class gave me confidence in my writing ability as I braved waves of

Mary-Grace Gannon P’03 ’07

Peter Quartuccio ’02

We teach compassion for the marginalized, love for all humanity, and a commitment to seeking justice, simply because that is what we are called to do as Ignatian educators.”

—Aidan Byrne

supplemental essays, and I’m very grateful for that.”

In Smith’s AP Language class, students read such diverse texts as Pope Francis’ 2025 letter to the American bishops; varied inaugural addresses and presidential debates; writings by John Courtney Murray, S.J. 1920, Antonin Scalia ’53, and Joe Sexton ’77; and a book of their own choosing. To prepare for the skill of synthesizing texts, they read essays from multiple perspectives on specific topics like New York City and the American Dream. As they do so, they engage in class discussions guided by a visual thinking strategy (VTS), an inquiry-based, student-centered teaching method often used by museum educators to heighten students’ abilities to describe, analyze, and interpret imagery and text.

“The three questions are ‘What’s going on in this picture?’

‘What do you see that makes you say that?’ And ‘what more can we find?’” Smith said. “It seems so simple, but why it’s so helpful in an AP Language class is, in this day and age, we are often asked for an opinion without the crucial follow-up of evidence. It’s a call to accountability for our opinions, and I think it’s crucial in this era that we’re in. It’s crucial in any era.”

“Ms. Smith is great at moderating discussions and deciphering what we really mean,” said Thomas Fitzmaurice ’26. “Disagreement 20

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is natural, especially in a class like English where it’s so open, but I would definitely say that Xavier’s teachers and the philosophy behind everything that we do here fosters respect and an openness to learning from others despite disagreeing. The teachers foster a great feeling in their class to be open to disagreement—not from a place of disrespect, but from a place of different philosophies.”

At a time when respectful disagreement is not often modeled on the world’s stage, Smith sees rich class discussions as a reason for hope.

“I want them to remember to be hopeful when they’re critically thinking,” she said. “Critical thinking isn’t seeking what’s wrong or what doesn’t work, or how things are broken, though those are important skills—and I don’t want to Pollyanna them into not believing that’s true. But I want them to be hopeful for themselves in the world and hopeful for the changes they’re going to bring about, and aware of the power of the language that they use.”

The power of language is an idea that weighs heavily on Peter Quartuccio ’02, who took over Xavier’s journalism class this year.

Recognizing that students most often seek information from social media rather than traditional news outlets, the search for truth forms a critical element of the class. He often shares news articles from Reuters so students have access to unbiased news while teaching them to recognize media bias writ large.

“Truth is one of the pillars of journalism,” said Fitzmaurice, a student in the class. “Mr. Quartuccio really emphasized that—that if you’re writing about a problem, you have to present it in such a way that people want to listen and that it makes sense. I have to be passionate about what I’m writing, and it should make the world a better place.”

Quartuccio places great emphasis on helping students discover the stories that matter to them—stories that matter in a just society.

“I think the most important part of the class that I want them to feel the best about is taking what they’ve learned here, as far as the practical discernment principle, and applying it to everything,” he said. “There is no curricular limit to that—and that is really helpful to apply to your spirituality, and your fraternity of friends and your family, but it should be everything. Your classroom should be no different, and the news exactly the same. You should always be thinking about what really matters.”

While musing about the goals of the English department, Byrne concurred.

“Above all, our department covers the human side of the stories we see in the news every day through the lens of our literature and from the perspective of our school’s stated mission and our Catholic faith,” he said. “We teach compassion for the marginalized, love for all humanity, and a commitment to seeking justice, simply because that is what we are called to do as Ignatian educators.”

T Lindsay Willert

he sacred obligations born of Xavier’s Catholic, Jesuit mission are central to the religion department’s curriculum. But how do teachers make those obligations relevant to teenagers?

In Theology and Ethics, Dean of Academic Systems Lindsay Willert’s unit on morality in a digital age meets juniors where they are, helping them understand how to apply the tenets of Church teaching in everyday life. The unit follows lessons about secular philosophers, and students are challenged to consider what the likes of Aristotle, Kant, John Stuart Mill, and eventually St. Ignatius Loyola would think about social media, its potential challenges and potential goods.

Willert introduces students to two documents—Towards Full Presence, the Vatican Dicastery for Communication’s 2023 pastoral reflection on social media, and Let Your Speech Always Be Gracious, a 2024 pastoral letter from the Canadian bishops.

“Towards Full Presence looks at our engagement in digital spaces through the scriptural lens of the Good Samaritan,” Willert said. “If social media is the road to Jericho, who are our neighbors? How do we understand the idea of neighbor in a digital format? And then what does the Good Samaritan act like in those spaces?”

“The ethics of social media unit was one of the most impactful because it gave us time to do a deeper dive into what we should be looking out for in social media and how we should use it,” said Anthony Hennigan ’26. ”It’s important for students to learn that. The biggest thing is valuing human dignity.”

Daniel Marshall ’26 said being able to apply the unit to real-life situations made it particularly powerful for him and his friends.

He also noted that in addition to the Holocaust Studies Program,

Xavier’s religion teachers have played a major role in helping him nurture his own Jewish faith. “Since I came to Xavier, I’ve just changed so much as a person,” he said. “My religion classes have prompted me to dive deeper, even just the tradition of prayer in the school, praying every morning. I think that’s super important.”

“It’s important to have the applied ethical units be ones where they are already making their own personal choices,” Willert said.

“Those choices can be explored with respect to the theology that we studied earlier in the year, and that can build up to the social justice class senior year. It gives them the groundwork to be able to do the social analysis. We apply the theological and ethical lenses broadly— wherever a human being is affected. Sometimes there will be more immediate clarity in what they can see as right and wrong, and then other things we know are more complicated and require a deeper formation of one’s conscience.”

Dr. Robert Cortegiano, one of the senior social justice teachers, explained that his course delves into the seven principles of Catholic social teaching: the life and dignity of the human person; solidarity; care for God’s creation; the call to family, community, and participation; the option for the poor and vulnerable; rights and responsibilities; and the dignity of work and the rights of workers.

“In that class, they are getting the Catholic building blocks from Scripture and tradition for articulating what it means to be a good citizen. How do you put into practice what it means to be a good citizen—really, a citizen and a disciple?”

Cortegiano goes a step further in his senior Ignatian Perspectives elective, helping students integrate Ignatian discernment and decision-making into their everyday lives as they prepare to transition to college. When combined with service experiences and retreat opportunities like Kairos and Magis, this type of reflection proves powerful for students.

“The experience of encounter and empathy with people on the margins or people outside of their comfort zones—that is the place where Catholic social teaching and Ignatian principles of discernment become most alive because they’re relational,” Cortegiano said. “It gives them a sense of what the Catholic tradition calls them to. Within the church and within the world, it also sometimes means getting involved in dealing with contested issues, where there are going to be divided viewpoints. They’re learning the tradition, and tradition calls them to engagement.”

In his own social justice and philosophy classes, Religion Department Chair Michael Aprea ’06 spends significant time examining the nature of being, truth, the good, and the structure and aim of a just state. During class discussions, students engage with the Gospels, Catholic social teaching, and Plato’s dialogues, including The Republic, Euthyphro, and The Apology.

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I felt that even though I had a lucrative job and I was making money, I didn’t find meaning in what I was doing. Having those tools helped me significantly. I tell my students, ‘Right now what you are learning may not make much sense or may seem to have little practical value, but it was here in these lessons that I received the tools that would help me navigate some of the most difficult moments in life.’”

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t goes without saying that a fluent knowledge of history helps contextualize current events. Equipping students with that knowledge is a responsibility Xavier’s history department takes seriously—so much so that when it was their department’s turn to choose the all-school summer read, they chose the Constitution of the United States.

“I have always had a copy of the Constitution handy as a student and as a teacher. I have it my classroom and refer to it many times a year as I teach,” said Pat Dormer P’17, who made the initial all-school read suggestion in a department meeting this spring. “My Michael Aprea ’06 wife and I were discussing a program that she heard some businesses were doing where they were supplying students with copies of the Constitution. So when the all-school read topic came up during the history department meeting, it clicked that this would be a great resource One of the things that I love most about Xavier is for all the students to be more familiar with.” the way that it not only emphasizes the importance The entire school will read the Constitution this of morality and justice in writing, through the summer, and the history department is planning events to highlight its importance in American life mission statement and vision, but also in practice throughout the school year. through the school curriculum.”

“The great thing about the history department —Leo Burnett ’25 is how well-read and thoughtful my department members are,” Dormer said. “Immediately after the with individuals of diverse backgrounds, individuals of diverse idea was mentioned, Mr. McGoldrick and Mr. Stevens perspectives?” Aprea asked. “I think it’s incredibly important for brought up ways we could highlight the Constitution schoolwide. students to realize that it’s okay to ask these questions about these Mr. LiVigni and Dr. Haller saw connections to the sophomore different topics, and that there’s a way to approach these questions curriculum. Mr. Costa and Mr. Young began to plan for the freshmen, without stigmatizing people, without demonizing people, without and Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Mahon were already making plans objectifying people, but always recognizing their humanity.” highlighting the document in their AP U.S. History classes. We hope The deep, abiding questions students and teachers wrestle with that as the students read the Constitution, they begin to understand each day in Xavier’s religion classes echo the ones that shaped Aprea’s what George Washington meant when he referred to our government 16th Street education. Twenty years ago, his own experience in Greg as the ‘great experiment.’”

Harkness’ philosophy class sowed the seeds that transformed his life.

These are undoubtedly turbulent days for that great experiment.

Aprea went on to double-major in finance and philosophy at Helping students understand and analyze modern political forces and Boston College, and after embarking on a career in finance, he setting them in historical context is imperative, according to History discerned that he really wanted to teach.

Department Chair James Costa ’02.

“The way philosophy was taught to me was as another lens “We struggle to see how one can teach history effectively without through which I can deepen my relationship with God, my including political analysis. How governments are structured, how understanding of myself, and what it is that I’m being called to do. laws get proposed and passed, how leaders are chosen, how political When you’re 17 years old, you don’t realize how valuable it is,” he representation is distributed, and how transitions of power take place in various time periods and civilizations are all standard topics said. “It became incredibly real for me when I was in a career where 22

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Pat Dormer P’17

for a good history course,” Costa said. “This course of study allows students to apply comparative analysis and critical thinking to their understanding of places far beyond the contemporary U.S. This course of study is even more important for students when it applies to their own country because if they are going to participate in their democracy, they must understand how it functions. Such an approach dates back to Ancient Athens, where Aristotle agreed that students must be provided an education that ‘suits the form of government under which they live.’”

Leo Burnett said the history department has played a defining role in his understanding of citizenship and civic participation.

“One of the things that I love most about Xavier is the way that it not only emphasizes the importance of morality and justice in writing, through the mission statement and vision, but also in practice through the school curriculum,” Burnett said. “The class that has taught me the most about citizenship and the importance of bridging gaps between people is Mr. Stevens’ U.S. History class. He not only taught the Constitution, but he also got us to understand it and the intentions behind it. As he taught the Civil War, we not only learned the number of casualties from the battles but also the dreadful experiences of the people who fought in the war and why diplomacy is so important. The list goes on, and it is in these ways that Mr. Stevens does an excellent job of instilling in students the core values of the school and the country.”

In AP U.S. Government and Politics, a course Michael LiVigni P’21 has taught for 30 years, reminding students of our nation’s core values is an important goal. Teaching them how to disagree well is another.

“I start off the year by just addressing the elephant in the room. I say, ‘Half of you are going to believe one political narrative. The other

half might believe the other, or it might be a third and a third, and a third of you don’t know what to believe. Democracy dies without debate. We can disagree with each other,’” he said. “Our founders disagreed with each other vehemently at times, so intense and heated political discourse is something that has happened in the United States since its founding. But what has changed, with the exception of the time around the Civil War, is the level of how uncivil we have become to each other.”

LiVigni encourages his students to read widely, to verify what they read, and to listen to different viewpoints, noting that it’s impossible to respond to an argument without understanding the fundamental basis of its origins.

Most importantly, he encourages them to remember the Ignatian presupposition—St. Ignatius’ reminder in the Spiritual Exercises to presume good will and “to be more eager to put a good interpretation on a neighbor’s statement than to condemn it.”

AP Government students (and friends) Zachary Sedgwick ’25 and Alexander Plagos ’25 said this lesson is one that multiple Xavier teachers have ingrained in them, and it carries over to their personal lives.

“We all talk about politics,” Sedgwick said. “Everyone has their own political opinions, definitely, but I would never say it gets to a point where there’s a serious argument. It’s more like people present their ideas. We debate politically all the time, but it’s friendly debate.

Xavier has always taught us to respect other people’s opinions.”

“We’re both very passionate,” Plagos added. “We disagree often, and then we just go back to being friends, and we move on to the next topic. Being friends helps a lot, because we know we might not agree.

And we know we might be set in our ways, but we still try to convince each other. And if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. We’re okay with that, and I guess that’s part of being a man for others—knowing that others have the right to do what they want to do and believe what they want to believe, and so do I.” LiVigni said the prevalence of this sentiment among students is a testament to Xavier—and to Jesuit education.

“I am proud of the way our students have engaged with each other, and I’m proud that even when they believe they’re of one ideology, that there’s an openness to at least understanding where the other side is coming from,” he said. “I think for us, if we do nothing else, it’s teaching the boys that shouting at each other is not going to help anything. Frankly, we need to look to their generation to fix things.”

Shawna Gallagher Vega is Xavier’s Vice President for Communications and Marketing. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Boston College.

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A Neighborhood of Learning Xavier’s burgeoning partnership with its 16th Street neighbor, the Center for Jewish History, represents the best of New York City—providing opportunities to engage, learn, and build community. BY ASTREA SLEZAK

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istory and its study are, in my opinion, humanity having a conversation with itself,” history teacher Michael LiVigni P’21 mused. “Who are we? Why are we? The answers to these questions are rarely found in any one place, and providing our students with experiences to go along with what they read helps them become a part of that conversation.”

On January 27, students in the Holocaust Studies Program were invited to the grand opening of “Anne Frank: The Exhibition” at the Center for Jewish History, New York City’s foremost Jewish research institution—directly across the street from Xavier. In the months since, the entire sophomore class, seniors in the world religions elective, and groups of parents and faculty have explored the exhibit, and Gavriel Rosenfeld, the Center’s president, visited 16th Street in May to speak with Holocaust Studies students about contemporary challenges to preserving the memory of the Holocaust.

When Michael Glickman, former chief operating officer of the Center, began building the exhibition in his role as advisor, he pondered how to lean into and engage the local community. As a longtime history professor at Fairfield University, where he has bridged the Jewish and Catholic worlds through his teaching and interactions with students, he was eager to meet with students in Xavier’s Holocaust Studies Program. So he reached out to President “

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Jack Raslowsky to invite students to the exhibit’s opening day, which fell on Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

“How do we help engage these students in a way that gives them something special?” Glickman recalled thinking. “And the something special was that they had a chance to hear from and meet surviving family members of Anne Frank, and also the director of the Anne Frank House [in Amsterdam].”

During the event, Sons of Xavier were given front-row seats to a discussion presented by two of Anne Frank’s relatives, HannahMilena Elias and Leyb-Anouk Elias, grandchildren of Frank’s favorite uncle. The two read passages from Anne Frank’s diary and shared stories about her that had been passed down by their grandfather.

“It may sound like a phrase, but I really feel like the youth is the future and we can shape how this life and how this world can look,” Leyb-Anouk Elias said after the event. “There’s a lot we need to do.

So I am really counting on young generations to understand and respect what has happened so it can never happen again.”

Following the discussion with Frank’s relatives, Xavier students explored the exhibit, a full-scale replica of the house where Anne Frank and members of her family hid from Nazi capture. The event was covered by the Associated Press, which interviewed Xavier students for their story.

“It taught me a lot about how just because you see one story, walk into these rooms and all the beds and the tables, that’s just one person’s life,” Henry Byrne ’26 told the AP that day. “And there were

History in conjunction with their history courses. As history teacher Dr. Stephen Haller ’05 explained, “In AP World History and AP European History, we discuss the discrimination against Jews in the 20th century. We discuss the scapegoating of the marginalized in Germany and Europe more broadly. We discuss the historical rise of antisemitism throughout Europe as well, but seeing how Anne Frank and her family persevered and adapted to their situation helps shed light on the resilience of the human spirit.”

New York City has the largest education system of any city in the world, and that infrastructure spans wider than primary education and top universities. The city also plays host to 188 museums and cultural institutions. This makes for endless possibilities for extracurricular learning at Xavier.

The Center for Jewish History, located just across 16th Street, adds direct access to that network.

This represents the very best of what community “New York has a rich cultural tradition when it comes to museums that I think most schools use is. … We can provide great learning experiences, and [Xavier] can provide opportunities to engage sparingly,” said LiVigni. “Establishing a relationship with an institution like the Center for Jewish History with the next generation.” gives Xavier a deeper connection to that tradition.”

—Michael Glickman Rosenfeld sees the exhibit as an opportunity for students to understand how an individual’s personal story intersects with global historical events. He explained For Xavier, that understanding of shared humanity is rooted that the exhibit helps students, especially teenagers, see how in mission—a mission to develop young men who will go forth international political trends can impact individual lives, and how to transform the world for God’s greater glory. And specifically in Anne Frank’s diary allows young people to relate to her experiences this context, to provide spaces that transcend studying—to as a teenager while also understanding the broader historical context encounter history in new ways, and to come face-to-face with of the Holocaust. challenging material.

Haller affirmed that statement, saying, “The benefit of museums “This is the impetus for what I hope will be a really wonderful and exhibitions like the Anne Frank exhibit is that they get students long-term engagement between the institutions,” added Glickman. out of the classroom, and they get to see history differently. History “I think this represents the very best of what community is. … We in a textbook can be dry, but looking at tailored images or artifacts can provide great learning experiences, and [Xavier] can provide provides new perspectives.” opportunities to engage with the next generation, and those who are In addition to the extracurricular benefits Sons of Xavier teaching the next generation.” experience when they visit the Center for Jewish History, both In May, the entire sophomore class visited the Center for Jewish millions that were lost.”

This first Xavier-Center for Jewish History collaboration— spurred by that initial conversation between Raslowsky and Glickman—has led to a deeper relationship between the two institutions, furthering their mutual goal to educate the next generation.

“The relationship is anchored in learning,” Raslowsky said.

“Whether that’s learning from sacred Scripture, learning from the Torah, or religious commentary, you’re educating people to understand the humanity of the Holocaust, the individual humanness of each of those six million people.”

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institutions, Xavier and the Center, are rooted in great traditions of faith, scholarship, and learning.

“I think the missions of Xavier and the Center for Jewish History align in a lot of ways,” said Dean of Academics Andrew Gheraldi. “Leading with integrity and acting justly in the service of others are two pillars of our mission. But I think our ability to learn from folks of different faiths and to learn just how similar we really are is an incredibly powerful experience and learning tool. We are expecting students to lead when they graduate from here, to be committed to doing justice. Our ability to interact with folks from the Jewish faith, and to hear real, authentic stories of the challenges that they face, will help our students be more actively committed to doing justice in their own lives.”

Our ability to learn from folks of different faiths and to learn just how similar we really are is an incredibly powerful experience and learning tool.”

—Andrew Gheraldi

“I think it is also important symbolically that a Catholic school can have a deep relationship with a center dedicated to the history of Judaism,” added LiVigni. “It’s a real-life model of how we are all called to be one people, despite our differing beliefs.

Practically speaking, the museum has educational resources that Xavier teachers don’t have access to.

The Anne Frank exhibit is a perfect example of this.

We teach about the Holocaust at Xavier, but it is an entirely different experience for the students to see what happened through artifacts and footage that the museum has access to.”

Astrea Slezak is Xavier’s Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing. She is a graduate of Marist University.

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ALICE BY HEART INSIDE

David Orlando, Xavier’s Associate Director of Communications and Marketing and technical director of the Xavier Dramatics Society, takes Xavier Magazine inside the spring musical for a firsthand glimpse into Xavier’s unique theater-making process. This year’s show, Alice By Heart, ran for three performances in Keenan Commons from April 11-13. BY DAVID ORLANDO ’17

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The show is ultimately a celebration of resilience— not through brute force, but through creativity, compassion, and inner strength.”

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T

he bell rings at 2:40 p.m. on Friday, April 4. The school day is over, and opening night of Alice By Heart is exactly seven days away. As students rush out of the front doors on 16th Street, the Xavier Dramatics Society (XDS) creative team descends upon an empty Keenan Commons with a plan to transform the space into a World War II-era London Tube station in just one short weekend.

Alice By Heart, written by Steven Sater, Duncan Sheik, and Jessie Nelson, follows Alice Spencer and her best friend Alfred, two teens who have been forced to shelter in a military field hospital in an underground Tube station as the Blitz rages in the air above them. When Alfred is forced into quarantine with a case of terminal tuberculosis, Alice and the other patients act out the only story she knows—Alice in Wonderland—in an attempt to come to terms with the immense loss of each other and the world they knew as children before the war.

“It deals tenderly with the transition from childhood to adulthood, with all its heartbreaks and discoveries. For young performers and audiences today, who are coming of age in a complex world, the story resonates deeply,” said Fine Arts Department Chair Nicole DiMarco, who also serves as producing director of the XDS shows, of her decision to choose this musical. “It’s ultimately a celebration of resilience—not through brute force, but through creativity, compassion, and inner strength. It says that even when you can’t change your circumstances, you can change the way you move through them.”

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Directing and designing is about creating layers. Some are seen by the audience, some are felt by the actors, and some remain unseen and mysterious.”

Shortly after returning from winter break in January, the cast of Alice By Heart began to wrap their heads around the demanding task ahead of them. “I knew the music would be a big challenge,” noted longtime XDS music director Steve Smith. “Our cast, right from day one, showed the commitment necessary to pull it off.”

There are countless unseen hours that go into crafting a piece of theater, from the initial table read where each actor first becomes acquainted with the character they will spend months constructing, to music rehearsals where the ensemble pours over each note and harmony to get the sound just right. Yet every hour of rehearsal spent in an empty theater or spare classroom eventually culminates into seven days preceding opening night, known to those in the theater world as tech week. “Tech week is where the vision meets reality,” explained DiMarco. “It’s when all the technical elements of a show—set design, lighting, sound, costumes, and props—are integrated with the actors’ performances for the first time. It’s often called ‘hell week’ informally because it’s long, intense, and full of challenges.”

The days leading up to this year’s musical did not fail to live up to the colloquialism DiMarco rightfully ascribed to them. In order to do the story of Alice By Heart justice, the creative team had a daunting task ahead of us: how to turn Keenan Commons into a Tube station? To accomplish this, Lisa Hickman, stagecraft teacher and associate director of XDS, and scenic designer Mike Oliveri spent weeks adorning 20-foot long rolls of cardboard with tile, newspaper, dirt, and other ephemera that might have been found in a wartime shelter. “As a director, I find such joy

in researching the details of a time period and bringing them forward in the work. I remembered that Alice By Heart is about a group of young people who’ve been left without homes and belongings. Wouldn’t they attempt to make art in their space for entertainment and survival? Wouldn’t there be an effort to make their drab world beautiful?” Hickman asked. Through a process of trial and error that included many trips up and down the ladder, the oversized puzzle pieces eventually came together as we lashed them to pipes above the stage.

With the set in place, the rest of the weekend was spent hanging and focusing lights. Having worked with XDS for the past several years, I have become quite familiar with the resources at our disposal in Keenan Commons and how to put them to use to support the distinct needs of each production. Alice By Heart was a show that relied heavily on lighting due to the fact that the set itself was largely static. Although certain props and pieces of furniture moved in and out, the overall background of the Tube station was unchanging, which meant we needed to evoke the mood of “Wonderland” exclusively through lighting. I sought to create as much depth as possible, and to play with shadows as part of the lighting design, visually echoing lyrical metaphors throughout the show that frequently referred to this idea.

“Directing and designing is about creating layers,” Hickman said about the lighting and scenic motifs for this show. “Some are seen by the audience, some are felt by the actors, and some remain unseen and mysterious, but still live in the fabric of the work.”

By the time students returned to 16th Street the following Monday, Keenan Commons had been transported to another era.

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Our focus is on the growth, collaboration, and artistry of the performers—not just on the For the creative team, seeing the actors’ final reactions as they take in their set for the show.” first time is always a moment of delight that starts tech week off on an uplifting note.

“I remember the whole day before that Monday rehearsal, I would turn to my friends and start talking about how excited I was to see the full set for the first time,” said Alejandra Principe, a sophomore at Notre Dame School who played the Queen of Hearts.

“For the longest while, the cast only had to work with the cots that we sat on, but when those Tube station walls were put up, I truly felt immersed in my environment and my role,” added XDS president Chad Theodore Herry ’25, who played Alfred. “Acting can take you far, but a beautiful set like ours completes the image.”

With the set and equipment loaded in, the most tedious part of the process could begin. I spent the next three days in constant conversation with Nicole DiMarco, Lisa Hickman, and Steve Smith as we ran through the show line by line with the actors in order to meticulously program each lighting and sound cue to help push the story forward. The advantage of working with a creative team that has done dozens of shows together is that an unspoken language emerges. “XDS works hard and fast,” DiMarco observed. “We get a lot done in very little time.”

While I spent days typing away furiously on the light board to create hundreds of individual cues, Stage Crew students diligently attended to the many other tasks at hand. The two stage managers, Gabriel Menendez ’28 and Dylan Johnson ’26, marked

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out each cue in the script in preparation for running the show each night, while Mateo Curanaj ’28 organized and reset props and set pieces backstage to ensure the actors would never go out emptyhanded. Maxwell Obusan ’28 tried his hand at sound mixing, and worked closely with the music director to dial in the brand-new set of microphones that were about to see their first real test during the weekend’s performances. “Being a musician on the side, using my ear was key to operating the sound board. It allowed me to fine-tune the range of the vocalists, while mixing also taught me to make sure that each singer was not overpowering each other,” Obusan said.

The next pivotal moment in the process came on Wednesday night. After working through a full rehearsal of tweaking light and sound cues, the cast sticks around into the evening for something called a sitzprobe, where the band and the singers finally come together to sing for the first time. “We’re so fortunate at Xavier to have the means to hire professional musicians to come in and play the score,” Smith remarked. “The cast only gets one rehearsal with the band before the dress rehearsal, but when they hear the music together as the composer intended, played by live musicians, there’s a sudden energy that fills their own performance.”

This excitement became apparent as soon as the band rattled off the first few notes of the opening song, “West of Words.”

Despite the exhaustion brought on by long days of rehearsals, the presence of the band always reinvigorates the cast and supplies the energy necessary to propel them through a weekend of performances ahead. Aurora Kuhner, a junior at Dominican

Academy who played the role of Tabatha, said, “Singing with the band for the first time was surreal. The sitzprobe was an event that I had always dreamt of. My dream to sing on a stage with a band had finally come true. The music brought tears to my eyes, and the adrenaline rush was unmatched.”

There is an old adage among theater artists that a bumpy dress rehearsal is a fortuitous omen for a successful opening night. Thursday’s dress rehearsal was the first time we all saw the finished show, having worked in tech, the band, and any lastminute acting adjustments. After smoothing over a few expected mishaps, Alice By Heart was ready for its first full audience on April 11. “The entire week we were really cracking down on the things that needed work. I think we were very prepared for Friday,” said Johnson, one of the stage managers who was responsible for triggering cues during each performance. Added Theodore Herry: “I was terrified going into opening night because it was my final one, and I wanted it to be flawless, but I was thrilled to finally show off our work to a live audience.”

On Friday evening, April 11, opening night arrived at last, and the creative team had one final task left just minutes before the lights were set to dim for the first scene. “At XDS, our focus is on the growth, collaboration, and artistry of the performers—not just on the final show. We believe the journey through rehearsal, character development, teamwork, and problem-solving is just as important as what happens on opening night,” DiMarco pointed out. To that end, before each debut the creative team gathers the cast in a circle backstage one last time to express gratitude

for the hard work that brought them to this point before delivering the final—and most important—direction of the entire process: Our work as directors is done.

The show is in your hands now. Take care of each other out there.

The most rewarding part of XDS’ approach is that every year, the actors take that final direction to heart without fail. Opening night and the two subsequent shows went off without a hitch and the cast played to audiences that were both attentive and intrigued. “It’s a beautiful score, and I knew our cast could do it justice,” Smith said of the weekend’s performances. Theodore Herry relished in the spotlight as he reflected on his last performances in Keenan Commons: “I’m such an overthinker when it comes to my acting, but as I saw our little world come together, I felt more than inspired to push aside my doubt and enjoy my final moments on stage.”

David Orlando ’17 is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he majored in film and television production.

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Excellence in Every Endeavor THE 2 0 25 HALL OF FAME CL A S S

Since the creation of the Xavier Hall of Fame in 1972, more than 300 men and women have been honored for their service to New York, the Church, and the nation.

Congressmen. Bishops. Pulitzer Prize winners. A Supreme Court Justice. A Medal of Honor recipient. And this October, six exemplary Xavier alumni will join them—a recognition of the ways each has transformed the world for God’s greater glory.

On the pages that follow, those who nominated this year’s Hall of Fame inductees pay tribute to their friends and detail their accomplishments. We look forward to honoring them on October 24 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers.

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T HE 2 0 2 5 H ALL O F FAM E C L A S S

Thomas Lamberti ’48 RETIRED LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY

“Extremely successful in life, Tom Lamberti has made a concerted and devoted effort to share the fruits of his labors with his fellow man. He is deeply concerned about impact. He wants to know that his generosity is making a real difference, whether at Xavier, where he provides generous financial aid for students from underprivileged backgrounds, or Fordham, where his endowed scholarship supports Xavier graduates of a similar background, or Harvard Law School, where his endowment provides support to Fordham alumni in need of aid. He and his wife, Eileen, are also generous supporters of the Interfaith Nutrition Network, New Ground, the Inner-City Scholarship Fund for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York, Highbridge Voices, and the Learning Connection program for immigrant women and families.

They are truly an inspiration to our students with their humble devotion to living out the values of the Gospel in their daily lives.”

—Mark Mongelluzzo P’25 and Maggie Murphy Stockson

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Richard Battaglino ’67 P’96 RETIRED BUSINESSMAN FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA YOUTH CENTER

“Richie’s unwavering support for Xavier and other charitable causes—much behind the scenes—has long been recognized and applauded by his classmates. He attended Xavier only through the personal intervention of its then-headmaster, John J. McDonald, S.J. ’45, who removed financial obstacles.

Richie has spent the rest of his life recognizing how Xavier shaped his personality, values, and very being. In the words of today’s headmaster, Kim Smith: ‘Richie is an incredible and humble alumnus who regularly gives to make Xavier affordable to students who might not otherwise be able to attend. Not only is his regular giving a staple that allows young men to become Sons of Xavier, he regularly expresses his willingness to step in should an unpredicted need arise.’

Moreover, his largesse is not limited to repaying his debt to his alma mater. His substantial contributions to his community, parish, and other Catholic high schools extend well beyond Xavier, most notably through his creation and leadership of the St. Anthony of Padua Youth Center.”

—Joe Garvey ’67 on behalf of the Class of 1967

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T HE 2 0 2 5 H ALL O F FAM E C L A S S

Rudy Cecchi ’69 TAX ATTORNEY AND INSURANCE EXECUTIVE FOUNDER, CRISTO REY MIAMI HIGH SCHOOL

“In the fall of 2000, I saw Rudy for the first time in 30 years. Rudy told me he was active on various alumni committees and encouraged me to re-engage with Xavier.

Any good things I may have done for Xavier since that time are because Rudy is always recruiting talent that can be useful to Xavier.

He is a true advocate for the school.

In September 2022, a Cristo Rey high school opened in Miami. Rudy Cecchi is the singular driving force that made this happen.

He conceived of the idea for a Cristo Rey school in Miami, recruited other business and civic leaders to support the project, and worked tirelessly organizing, planning, and funding this effort. Generations of children will benefit from Rudy’s efforts, and that is a testament to his legacy.

Rudy and his supportive wife, Emily, both give willingly of their time and resources to help underprivileged children access a brighter future. Their selflessness and generosity are in keeping with the highest traditions of Xavier High School.”

—Dennis Langley ’70

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Kevin McLaughlin ’74 MANAGING DIRECTOR, MERRILL LYNCH

“We have known Kevin since grammar school at St. Ignatius Loyola in Manhattan. The depth and breadth of Kevin’s service to St. Ignatius, Xavier, Boston College, and the Society of Jesus is extraordinary. He was a Xavier trustee and served on the Advancement Committee, which he chaired during the expansion of Xavier’s campus.

Before his time on the board and after, Kevin has provided wise counsel to Xavier’s presidents. He is a source of insight, information, and a balanced perspective. Kevin is currently a board member with the Leadership Roundtable in Washington, D.C., which develops ideas and initiatives to make for better involvement among Catholics in today’s church. On a very personal note, Kevin has been a friend to many and has many times lent his help with recommendations to firms for friends seeking work in better positions. This he has done quietly and effectively, never looking for recognition. Kevin exemplifies being a man for others.”

—Craig Sinclair ’74 and Philip Whalen ’74

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T HE 2 0 2 5 H ALL O F FAM E C L A S S

John Anticev ’76 RETIRED FBI SPECIAL AGENT

“ John Anticev is an unsung American hero.

In May 1989, he was assigned to the FBI/ NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force. After the 1993 World Trade Center attack, he was responsible for thwarting a terrorist cell preparing to attack the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, the United Nations, 26 Federal Plaza, and other New York City landmarks.

This case, known as Terrstop, resulted in the prevention of major attacks. John was the team leader for the initial response to the August 7, 1998, bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, and interrogated the surviving ‘suicide’ bomber. He was able to obtain the satellite phone number he called, which was traced to an Al-Qaeda safe house in Yemen that was used by Osama Bin Laden. These actions and so many others were carried out by John and his team in a most professional, methodical, duty-bound, dedicated, and deliberate manner, with amazing results that affected the safety and well-being of many.”

—Russ Chinnici ’76

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Mike Tolkin ’85 GENERAL MANAGER, PREMIER RUGBY SEVENS FORMER XAVIER TEACHER AND RUGBY COACH

“A Xavier teacher for more than 20 years, Mike Tolkin was known for his love of literature and his students.

His classes were engaging and challenging, and he met his students where they were and brought them where they needed to be. But as good a teacher as Mike was, it was as a rugby coach that he made the most impact. A member of the legendary 1985 varsity rugby team that won Xavier’s first national championship, Mike became head rugby coach at Xavier at the age of 19. He is often regarded as the godfather of American rugby. Indeed, this was the impetus for his departure from Xavier as he was tapped to become head coach of the USA Eagles. Xavier’s rugby program has produced generations of professional rugby players and is envied around the country, with alumni giving from former ruggers to their alma mater a testament to the importance that Coach Tolkin played in their lives. As far as impact on a professional field goes, Mike’s impact on American rugby is in a class by itself.”

—Michael LiVigni P’21

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SONS OF XAVIER

Members of the Class of 1975 gather at Vintage Green for the first night of their 50th reunion weekend in May. To see more photos from the weekend, turn to page 58.

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CLASS NOTES

1948

Tom Lamberti met Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Easter Sunday.

Warnock is the church’s senior pastor.

1949

Tom O’Brien and his wife, Nancy, recently moved from Washington, North Carolina, to the Veridian, an independent living facility in New Bern, North Carolina. In early March, they were treated to a celebration of Nancy’s 94th birthday and their 70th wedding anniversary by their five children, 10 grandchildren, and eight greatgrandchildren. “We are fortunate to have most within driving distance,” O’Brien writes. “We continue to be pleased with the strong progress of 16th Street and look forward to a return visit (Lord willing).”

1951

Jack Replogle, S.J. marked the 60th anniversary of his ordination on June 18, 2024.

1953

Following his graduation from Xavier, Colonel Mark Delaney, USAF (Ret.) attended the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, later receiving a commission as an Air Force Lieutenant. He served at various stations, including Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.

Delaney also served in numerous volunteer organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and the Knights of Columbus, and received the Lions International Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Dedicated Humanitarian Services.

1956

Dr. Francis X. Heelan writes that Dr. Ludwig Deppisch recently published The White House Physician: A History from George Washington to Joe Biden.

The foreword was written by Dr. Connie Mariano, the White House physician for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

The White House Physician explores presidential health and its impact on American history and foreign and domestic policy. “A fascinating read and a welcome contribution to the study of American history by a renowned physician and historian,” writes Heelan.

Dr. Frank Perroni shared that Xavier Magazine’s class notes section introduced him to Dr. Robert Vecchiotti ’58, who coaches new business owners.

1957

Dr. Joseph Juhász produces radio shows and serves on the lay preaching team and as an evangelist at Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Community in Longmont, Colorado. He also keeps in touch with his classmate Kevin Morrissey during weekly Zoom calls.

Kevin Morrissey shares that with each passing year, he appreciates “the universal, open-minded education we enjoyed” at Xavier even more.

He commends the book Hope: The Autobiography by the late Pope Francis. “It is not piously, rather very personally written— truly life-affirming,” he writes.

“Pope Francis just died this Easter Monday. His first name, and more importantly his plain, highly informed intelligence, simple daily example of action, willingness to express and stand on his beliefs, while loving his brothers and adversaries, and allowing all others to express their beliefs, and listening to and learning from them, gives me ever more reason to be proud of our downtown Jesuit high school’s name—Francis Xavier.”

1.

1958

Dr. Robert Vecchiotti recently traveled from New Hampshire to Radio City Music Hall to see Riverdance with his family.

“What an exciting experience!

The dancing and music were outstanding. You leave the Hall feeling like you were born in Ireland,” he writes.

’48

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1959

On October 20, 2024, Drew Bauman and his wife, Georgette, attended a Mass and luncheon at Xavier marking the 50th anniversary of his cousin, Fr. Jim Croghan, S.J., in the Society of Jesus. After Mass in the Student Chapel, they joined friends and relatives for the luncheon in Keenan Commons, which Bauman called “a wonderful get-together.”

’59 1. Tom Lamberti ’48, right, with Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock.

2. Louis Ycre ’59.

For the past 40 years, Nicholas DellaPenna has run Rock Star Meadow, an elaborate architectural art complex incorporating stone, sculptures, mosaics, and abstract and figurative forms, in Woodstock, New York.

Louis Ycre will turn 85 this September. He and his wife live in South Carolina. Sadly, Ycre notes that two of his three sons as well as his only sister have passed away, as has his best friend, Colonel Anthony McNulty, USA (Ret.) ’58.

Indicates a photograph

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CLASS NOTES

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’62

1960

4.

’60 1. Ken Grant ’64, Eddie Grant ’62, and Bobby Grant ’68.

2. Martin Corrado ’63.

3. Gene Capello ’64 and Zane Massey ’96 P’22.

4. Richard Tucciarone ’60.

After graduating from Manhattan College, Richard Tucciarone studied accounting and worked for several corporations before transitioning to public accounting and earning his Certified Public Accountant licensure. He ran his own practice in New Jersey until 2002, then moved his practice to his new home on Cape Cod. Tucciarone retired in 2021. He has two sons—one in northern Massachusetts and one in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He enjoys the annual Xavier reunions on Cape Cod.

1962

Eddie Grant and his brothers, Ken Grant ’64 and Bobby Grant ’68, recently reunited in Temecula, California.

William F.X. Grubb writes that his grandson and namesake, Will Shigo, is following the family tradition of attending a Jesuit high school, Seattle Prep. Shigo’s three older sisters are all proud graduates of Seattle Prep as well.

His two uncles, Grubb’s sons, are graduates of Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, California. “The Jesuit tradition continues for three generations,” Grubb says.

Shigo, a varsity lacrosse player,

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’63 also carries on the tradition of wearing number 44, the same number his grandfather, Grubb, wore 65 years ago on the varsity football team. Grubb notes that he was a third-stringer, but loved his experience and coach, Lou Scarzello ’49. Grubb and his son, Bill, are former Santa Clara University lacrosse coaches.

Former Xavier music teacher Rocco Iacovone, a member of Xavier’s Hall of Fame, was recently commissioned to compose a piece of music celebrating the Italian painter Caravaggio by the Regional Museum of Messina in Italy. His composition and two others by Sicilian composers formed a triad of pieces, “Caravaggio in Three Acts,” that was performed at the museum in April. His wife, art teacher Denise Iacovone, live-painted the music. A local review noted Iacovone’s “refined style as an avant-garde composer, with innovative harmonizations of the wind section, thanks to alternating polyphonic lines that are at the same time dreamy and singable.”

Bob O’Brien’s historical novel House of Farrell, which is set in Greenwich Village and contains several references to Xavier, is available on Amazon.

1963

’64

After serving for several decades as the international financial advisor to Sheikh Suroor Al Nahyan’s private office, sourcing and managing investments globally across private equity, venture capital, and institutional finance, Martin Corrado has launched Corrado Advisory based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Corrado Advisory specializes in bridging capital and introducing UAEbased investors and family offices to select opportunities in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and helping international fund managers access sovereign wealth funds and family offices in the region.

1964

Gene Capello was recognized for his outstanding work with the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) during its 20th anniversary celebration on April 29 at Trinity Church Wall Street. Capello, a founding board member and former board chair of FHJC, has helped to position the organization as a leader in the fair housing movement over the past 20 years.

1.

All-Track Reunion

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March 28, 2025 Xavier High School

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6.

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7.

1. Maureen O’Neill P’01 ’05 and Kathy Dormer P’17.

2. Dr. Robert Parmach ’94 and Steven Caraballo ’98. 3. Timothy Farrer ’05, Justin Mascall ’06, Brendan Burgess ’05, Steven Drennen ’04, Ricardo Velez ’04, Anthony Assent ’05, and David Anderson ’05.

4. Jose Saa ’76 P’05 ’11, Joseph Profaci ’78, and Kevin Hanrahan ’77.

5. John Neuenfeldt ’72 and Reid Baynes ’25. 6. Nelson Ryland P’26, Eleonora Blankenbuehler P’25, Diana Brown P’25, Sylvia Siu P’25, and Michelle Falcon P’26.

7. Robert DeAngelo ’02 and Andre Larochelle ’02.

8. Carol Lee, Pat Dormer P’17, and Ryan Harmon ’01.

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/// ALUMNI PROFILE

Dr. Vincent Reina ’98

BY SHAWNA GALLAGHER VEGA

A

s a student on 16th Street, housing expert Dr. Vincent Reina ’98 had never heard of urban studies—but Xavier prepared him to lead national conversations in the field in all the ways that mattered.

“A commitment to public service and to others in a holistic way is something Xavier ingrains in you,” said the Bensonhurst native, whose nephews Justin Taliento ’22 and Jayson Taliento ’26 followed in his footsteps to 16th Street. “The school really encouraged us to think about broad topics of morality and our role in making the world a better place, and it gave us the tools to turn these ideas into action.”

the way they engage with the city and interact with where they live.”

Accolades followed for Reina, and he quickly rose to prominence in the field. After graduating from Cornell, he went to work for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in their San Francisco and New York field offices.

Then it was off to Oxford University, where he earned a master’s degree in social policy. From there, he returned to New York to work at a housing nonprofit, where his efforts to structure complex deals for affordable housing developments across the nation cemented his passion to “achieve a broader social good and leverage public and private capital to do that.”

Reina then turned to academia to leverage his own power to impact people’s lives. After a research fellowship at New York University, where he also earned an MBA, he earned a Ph.D. in public policy and management at the University of Southern California. In 2016, he secured a tenure-track position at the University of Pennsylvania, where he founded the school’s Housing Initiative. The broad, national scope of his work there eventually caught the eye of the White House, where he assumed the role of Senior Advisor for Housing and Urban Policy in the White House Domestic Policy Council in 2022.

Reina took a two-year leave from Penn to serve in government, and with a wife and two children at home, he commuted from Philadelphia to Washington weekly.

“I’ve never worked that hard in my life, but I’ve also never felt so fulfilled by my work,” he said. “I was truly inspired to work

“ [Xavier] really encouraged us to think about broad topics of morality and our role in making the world a better place.”

His Xavier years were busy—filled with JROTC, drama performances, retreats, and leadership roles in the National Honor Society and New York State Science Honor Society. He went on to Cornell intending to study engineering, but he soon realized his passions lay elsewhere.

“I came across this major called urban studies, and it was basically the study of cities and regions and why they exist and why they grow. To me, it was exciting to learn there was a major about how I grew up, essentially,” Reina recalled. During the summer of 2000, he secured an internship at the I Have a Dream Foundation, where he worked with youth living in affordable housing on Manhattan’s West Side. From then on, he was hooked.

“That summer got me really interested and excited about the topic,” Reina said.

“I was thinking about these complex dynamics of housing, housing stability, and affordability, how neighborhoods change and what that means for people’s outcomes, and

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with such thoughtful colleagues who were committed to public service and cared about our country being a better place—a better place for everyone.”

Along with his colleagues, Reina developed the first White House blueprint for renters’ bill of rights and the first White House housing supply action plan. He also worked on President Biden’s budget for housing, the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, and projects to increase homeownership access across the country and combat racial discrimination in the housing market.

In 2024, when those productive two years in Washington came to a close, Reina returned to Penn. He was promoted to full professor and took on a secondary appointment in real estate at the Wharton School. He said the lessons he learned at the White House still resound in his work today.

“All the work I did at the White House was fundamentally about developing fair systems, policies, and programs that help our country, and everyone in it, thrive now and in the future,” he said. “I’m struck in the current moment by how difficult and important it is to build, and how easy it can be to destroy— which makes us need to be smarter and more thoughtful about how we’re building going forward to ensure that important progress and growth in our country can withstand moments of unprecedented challenge.”

CLASS NOTES

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2.

’64 Bob Steeves writes that he continued his mother’s family’s tradition of having Easter breakfast together, and now his oldest grandchild has stepped up to keep the tradition alive for a fifth generation. Steeves’ seven great-grandchildren especially enjoyed the Easter breakfast and egg hunt this April.

1966

Dr. Ed DeSimone has been teaching a course on addiction and substance use disorders at Creighton University for more than 30 years. He also actively participates in national and local drug abuse prevention programs. In February, DeSimone was appointed as a memberat-large of the Pain, Palliative Care, and Addiction Community leadership team of the American Pharmacists Association.

John Meditz was recently reappointed to the board of the Hackensack Meridian Network and received an honorary doctorate from John Cabot University in Rome, Italy, in May. Meditz serves as a trustee of the university.

1967

Andrew Mazzara writes that the Class of 1967 enjoys several reunion opportunities each year: an anniversary Mass and dinner each June, a Myrtle Beach

golf outing, a St. Patrick’s Day tavern meeting, a New York City Chinatown dinner, and a New Jersey Christmas reception.

Mazzara notes that the class credits their cadet colonel, Joe Garvey, for making it all happen.

1968

Jerome DeCarlo is retiring after teaching physics for 26 years at Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School. Prior to that, he taught physics as an adjunct at the City University of New York during his 25-year career as a senior research scientist at Northrop Grumman.

Dr. Mike Hogan writes that he joins Joe Guida and Craig Dillon every month for lunch at Savona’s in Hudson, New York. “If any Xavier grads in the area are interested in joining us let us know,” he writes.

Jim Van Gieson is still writing and playing music. He has been retired since 2017 and loves having extra time for his various interests. “We’ve got four grandchildren now, and they are thriving, bright, and creative,” he writes. “Stay strong, and let’s fight to keep evil at bay.”

1969

Leonard Alfano is the proud grandfather of two boys and two girls.

’70 1970

3.

On December 7, 2024, Fordham University dedicated the Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios on the Lincoln Center campus. Grimes served as a professor of music and the dean of the college at Lincoln Center for more than 20 years.

1971

Thomas Cannon’s youngest son has been promoted to 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Marines and commands a platoon at Camp LeJeune.

On September 26, 2024, Patrick Sullivan testified before the House Task Force on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. A retired Secret Service agent, Sullivan was called as a subject matter expert.

He also serves as a member of the board of the United States Secret Service Association.

’71 1. Bob Steeves’ seven great-grandchildren: (Top Row) Owen, Makenzie, Noah, Zachary, (Bottom Row) Cesar, Mariana, and Elena.

2. Robert Grimes, S.J. ’70.

3. Patrick Sullivan ’71.

1972

Tom Healy will receive the College of the Holy Cross’ 2025 In Hoc Signo Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, in October. The In Hoc Signo Award is an expression of respect and admiration for those alumni who have given most generously of their time and talents to Holy Cross.

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1.

2.

Celebrate Xavier Scholarship Gala April 11, 2025 583 Park Avenue

4.

5.

6.

7.

3.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

1. Blake Paret ’26, Kabir Singh ’27, Tommy Dolan ’27, Daniel Kok ’25, Theodore Nam Kim ’26, Dominick Cognata ’26, and Daniel Zaletofsky ’26. 2. Nilesh Saldanha P’28, Nadia Saldanha P’28, Andrea Scott P’28, and Marlon Hosang ’87 P’28.

3. Christian Bachez ’19 and Gianna Woodlin. 4. Jack Raslowsky, Jessica Gushée P’18 ’20, and Steve Gushée P’18 ’20. 5. Louis Curcuru P’00, Alex Gochal ’00, and Arthur Curcuru ’00.

6. Cynthia Kleinman P’25, student speaker Spencer Kleinman ’25, and Neil Kleinman P’25. 7. Scott Twibell ’92, Robert Ahern ’92, Matt Mitchell ’92, Rob Manfredo ’92, and Kevin Clyne ’92.

8. Lexus Henry and Michael Autovino ’13.

9. Ken Marino ’95 and Barbara McHugh.

10. Daryn Johnson, Matt Roveto, Megan Correira, Scott VandeVoort, and Pat Drennan P’16. 11. Claire and Dominic DeFalco ’10. 12. Dominick Davi P’24 ’28, Kerry Davi P’24 ’28, Gerard Gargano P’22 ’24, and Christine Gargano P’22 ’24.

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CLASS NOTES

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’73 1973

4.

Charlie Butera, Bob Fitzsimmons, John Lapsley, Bob Maguire, Neal Miranda, and Bill Raichle recently enjoyed dinner together at Bice restaurant in Palm Beach, Florida.

Charlie Butera and Bob Maguire recently met with former Xavier physical education teacher and varsity football coach Tom Carpenter, “reminiscing and sharing our great memories from our years at Xavier,” Butera notes.

’78 5.

’81 1. Bob Fitzsimmons ’73, Bill Raichle ’73, Charlie Butera ’73, John Lapsley ’73, Bob Maguire ’73, and Neal Miranda ’73.

2. Charlie Butera ’73, Tom Carpenter, and Bob Maguire ’73.

3. Robert Kenny ’77.

4. Dr. Lata and Dr. Tom McGinn ’78.

5. Bob Mackey ’81 and Joe McGrane P’20.

Bruce Caulfield P’26 recently reopened his wine and spirits store, Penn Cellars, on the Long Island Rail Road level of Penn Station. He welcomes members of the Xavier community to “drop by for the Xavier discount.”

Tom Masterson and his wife, Cathleen, are enjoying their retirement in Sea Girt, New Jersey. They enjoy exercising, volunteering, playing golf, and spending time with their three children and four grandchildren.

After his retirement, Masterson started music lessons and is now playing the drums in a band that occasionally performs at venues in and around Asbury Park.

Ray McCarthy is happily enjoying retirement with his wife, Kathy, and spending time with their three grandchildren.

Tom McDonnell writes that his team was recognized as Best in

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3.

’73 State for the third consecutive year at the Forbes Conference.

They were also recognized for the third consecutive year at the Elite Advisor conference.

1974

Henry Smith and his wife, Mary Lou, recently moved from their lake house on Norris Lake, Tennessee, to a new, smaller home in The Villages, Florida.

“Anyone in the market for a dream retirement home in the best location, in the best neighborhood, on the best lake in Tennessee, give me a call at 812-290-1924,” Smith writes.

“And if you’re in the area of my new home in the Village of DeLuna, look us up and stop by.”

1976

Lou Bonica is retired and loving it.

1977

After 44 years of public and private sector career positions in the U.S. Army, U.S. intelligence community, U.S. Treasury Department, and First Republic Bank, Robert Kenny retired in July.

Joe Sexton is a contributor to The Marshall Project. “The Hardest Case for Mercy,” his inside look at a legal team’s efforts to spare the Parkland high school shooter from the death penalty, was named a

’77 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist in the feature writing category.

1978

Craig Eaton P’06 ’12 practices law in New York and New Jersey and recently co-hosted the awardwinning Cats & Cosby radio show on 770 WABC. John Catsimatidis asked Eaton to join the board of the NYC Police Athletic League, one of many boards of philanthropic organizations that Eaton has served on since his Xavier graduation.

Dr. Thomas McGinn was recently named chief physician officer and professor of medicine for CommonSpirit Health, the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. In March, he also received the Cahill Healer’s Award at the annual New York Celtic Medical Society St. Patrick’s Day Gala.

1979

Eduardo Sarduy and his wife recently moved to southeast Ohio.

1981

On April 13, Bob Mackey was inducted into the Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) Hall of Fame. Mackey has amassed more than 500 wins as the longtime girls’ basketball coach at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, where he also serves as athletic director.

/// ALUMNI PROFILE

Nino Asaro ’17

BY DAVID ORLANDO ’17

W

hat does it mean to be the steward of a 110-year-old family business, and to bring a heritage brand to the next level of success? This is the question that Nino Asaro ’17—whose family is behind Partanna olive oil and a host of other imports from Sicily—has been grappling with for the entirety of his career thus far.

Asaro, who was born in Sicily and immigrated to New York shortly before starting high school, has been immersed in the food industry his entire life. “I thought I was going to become a chef and pursued that path until age 20. I eventually moved into the family business, partly as a need, given the pandemic, and part of it was that a 110-year-old family-run company came with a lot of humble dignity,” Asaro mused.

“I love the product. I love everything that my family has done. I wanted to see how to actually run the operations. What was the big picture?”

basics, break it down into something that’s very tangible and feasible, remove things that don’t work, add things that could have potential. You’re there for the long-term vision.”

Asaro is already well on his way to bringing this vision to life. In just a few years, he has helped launch new product lines such as pasta and soft drinks, overseen Partanna’s expansion into nationwide retailers across America such as Whole Foods and Walmart, and served as the architect behind a global partnership with Starbucks.

According to him, this appreciation for the future goes back to his time on 16th Street. “What Xavier teaches is that long-term approach of ‘Don’t give up.

Keep doing whatever you’re passionate about. Persevere and understand how you could bring value to something that you may not have seen value in before. And keep yourself in high esteem, knowing that you’re confidently good at what you’re doing,’” Asaro said of the lessons he learned in high school.

“Ultimately, Xavier was the best education I’ve ever received. It made me strong and able to take on any argument, to stand up for myself, but at the same time to learn from others, from a very human and open approach.”

This “humanistic approach,” as Asaro put it, is at the heart of his plans for the future of Partanna and its many associated brands. “We started as farmers in the 1700s. In 1916 we established this company and have always produced the best olive oil coming from castelvetrano olives,” he recalled of Partanna’s beginnings. “It’s not only a brand, but it’s an actual town you can visit. Our goal is to bring more people back to the land. It’s about allowing the brand to narrate a voice and to bring a sense

“ Xavier was the best education I’ve ever received. It made me strong and able to take on any argument, to stand up for myself, but at the same time to learn from others.”

After completing his self-directed bachelor’s degree in Conviviality Around the Dinner Table at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Studies, Asaro spent his first three years at Partanna doing just that. He worked his way through every department, from logistics and supply chain operations to accounting and inventory management. He eventually discovered that his true passion was in sales, marketing, and business development. “I took a position as the head of business development for the Americas, and started dissecting the business piece by piece,” Asaro said. “Let’s get down to the

of joy, a snippet of Italy, into everyone’s home. And that starts with educating people on what true authenticity is.”

Asaro stressed the importance of storytelling when it comes to shaping a brand with such rich history.

“Xavier did a wonderful job of making us the most complete, detail-oriented storytellers. It’s the color that makes a story much more vivid and lively,” he explained. “And while you might spend a bit more time telling that story, you’re building a long-term customer. You are bringing that person into your world and making them fantasize about the world. And then the product itself consolidates the fantasy. It proves that the fantasy is not a fantasy, it’s a reality.”

XAVIER MAGAZINE

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CLASS NOTES

1.

2.

1985

3.

’92 4.

’97 5.

After 37 years working in law enforcement in the New York City metropolitan area (15 years with the New York Police Department and 22 years with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), Peter D’Antonio retired on November 30, 2024.

His final assignment was as a special agent canine handler working alongside explosive detection canine Conley. “He also retired along with me and will enjoy spending his days relaxing at home,” D’Antonio writes.

Teig Keenan-Hunt earned a 2024 National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach certificate and a 2025 Los Angeles Unified School District Substitute Teacher certificate.

1988

’01 1. Pat Steffens ’88 P’11 ’12 ’16 ’20.

2. Christopher Spataro ’89.

3. Todd Morgan ’92, left.

4. John Murillo ’97.

5. Brian Krist ’01.

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XAVIER MAGAZINE

Pat Steffens P’11 ’12 ’16 ’20 recently retired from the New York Police Department after 32 years of service. His last assignment was as a lieutenant, special assignment, assisting the counterterrorism coordinator in daily efforts to combat terrorism.

1989

Christopher and Jodi Spataro received the Blue Heart Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County, Indiana. The award is given to community

’88 members who make valuable contributions to local youth.

1991

Michael Zayas, marketing director at GrandLife Hotels, was recently featured in Flaunt magazine for his continued work championing LGBTQ+ talent and fueling New York City’s hospitality culture.

1992

Todd Morgan and his partner recently attended the American Cancer Society Soirée in Walla Walla, Washington, to raise funds for cancer research.

With their contributions and those of others, along with additional support from former NFL players Drew Bledsoe and Sidney Rice, the event raised more than $500,000.

After starting his own consulting sole proprietorship in 2024, Kevin Vulin returned to Xavier as an assistant varsity basketball coach.

1996

Marvin Thomas serves as the corporate work study relationship manager at Cristo Rey New York High School.

1997

John Murillo was recently promoted to ocean marine production III underwriter at Tokio Marine America in

’89 Jersey City. He has worked at the company for three years and serves the southeast U.S. region.

2001

On March 4, Brian Krist was elected as a Regent of the University of the State of New York by concurrent resolution of the New York State Legislature.

He took his at-large seat immediately upon his election.

2002

In January, Greg Barbaccia assumed the role of the United States Federal Chief Information Officer, overseeing the implementation of secure, reliable, and high-performing technology across the federal government. Prior to joining the White House, Barbaccia served in multiple leadership positions in the commercial technology sector where he executed robust information security strategies and implemented advanced analytics and security solutions at scale. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a U.S. Army Intelligence veteran, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

San Iswara was recently named co-chief operating officer for the Rockefeller Global Family Office, where he has worked for the past seven years. He continues to live in New York City with his wife, Rebecca, and two sons, Winston and Wyatt.

1.

3.

4.

6.

2.

Golden Knights Luncheon

5.

May 2, 2025 Xavier High School

7.

8.

1. James Love ’64, Jim Vavrina ’64, Stephen Farrell ’64, Rene Perdreaux ’64, Bob Persichette ’64, and Bob Steeves ’64. 2. Bob Reinhart ’69 P’94 ’99 and Maureen Reinhart P’94 ’99.

3. John Moccia ’72 P’05 ’08, Leo Matthews, Ed Matthews ’72, Dr. Franklin Caesar ’72 P’00, Nick Scerbo ’72, Tom Healey ’72, and Peter Marzullo ’72. 4. Dan Rodriguez ’58 and Michael Crish ’26.

5. Jack Raslowsky, Fr. Ken Boller, S.J., and Tom Keaveney ’63. 6. Walter ’55 and Anne Dauerer. 7. Pat Cavanagh ’74, Joe McGrane P’20, and Dr. Ed McManus ’74. 8. Msgr. Bob Thelen ’63, Mike Ford ’63, Pete Canning ’63, Kevin Cuddihy ’64, and Fr. Dan Murphy ’65.

XAVIER MAGAZINE

55

CLASS NOTES

1.

2.

3.

’09

’08 2007

4.

’12 5.

Major Michael Nilsen, USA will return to the U.S. in July after three years serving with the U.S. Army in Germany. He has been executive officer for the 3rd Dragoons Wolfpack of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and has written five recent unclassified papers about his service that have either been published or submitted to Army journals.

2008

’13 1. Fr. Nicholas Colalella ’08 celebrating Mass.

2. Major Stephan D’Urso, USA ’09 and Colonel Geoff Cole, USA ’95.

3. Chloe and Madeline Hickey, the wife and daughter of Matthew Hickey ’10.

4. Captain Jared Jerrick, USA ’12.

5. Giovanni Rocco ’13.

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Fr. Nicholas Colalella is the parochial vicar of Our Lady of Hope Church in Middle Village.

He serves as coordinator of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s apostolate to Italian immigrants and as chaplain to Archbishop Molloy High School.

2009

Two alumni played key roles in the coordination, planning, and execution of the 60th Presidential Inauguration in January—which faced significant changes, including the absence of the traditional outdoor parade.

Major Stephan D’Urso, USA, served as deputy chief of the training exercise branch for planning, coordinating, and conducting rehearsals for all inaugural events. Colonel Geoff Cole, USA ’95 served as task force grant commander responsible for executing all components of planning, screening, and execution of the Inaugural Parade. Their dedication, leadership, and tradition, instilled in the heritage of the parades executed during their time at

Xavier, played a vital role in the success of these events.

José Miranda serves on the board of South Brooklyn Sanctuary, a nonprofit that trains everyday New Yorkers to provide support to immigrants who cannot afford attorneys.

2010

Matthew Hickey and his wife, Chloe, are architects who live in Lower Manhattan.

Patrick Nilsen recently began a new position as associate II at Greenhill & Co. Greenhill was acquired by Mizuho Financial Group, a Japanese megabank, following a strategy to expand its investment banking business in the United States.

In April, Euroy Smith began working at Raytheon as a cyber strategic architect manager. He served as one of the keynote speakers at the Brooklyn Jesuit Prep gala in May.

2012

Chase Cantatore graduated from Rutgers Law School in May 2025 and is scheduled to sit for the New Jersey bar examination.

Captain Jared Jerrick, USA is finishing his final year in the U.S. Army, where he has spent the last few years leading one of the topperforming recruiting companies in Florida. He recently celebrated his 30th birthday in Guyana—his first time celebrating at home in two decades—and continues to stay involved in community service through his annual

’10 Christmas toy drive, now in its 15th year. Jerrick welcomes connections from fellow Xavier grads and is grateful for the values instilled on 16th Street that continue to guide him today.

2013

Spectrum NY1 meteorologist Michael Autovino was honored to be the first Principal for the Day at his alma mater, St. Athanasius Catholic Academy in Brooklyn.

He spoke about his career and participated in the “Are You Smarter than a Meteorologist?” challenge. “It was such a great day in the community,” he writes.

After working in Cincinnati’s local government for nearly a decade, Giovanni Rocco decided to spend a year working on farms and ranches around the world. He began his journey on a small ranch in Canada, then worked on large-scale cattle ranches as a cowboy in Montana and a gaucho in Argentina. He concluded his time on a wheat farm in April before returning to New York City for law school.

2015

Harry Cooke and Adam Lyons co-starred in an offBroadway production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V at the American Theater of Actors from April 2 to April 19.

2017

Nicholas Tucker has completed his second year of a doctoral program in mental health counseling at Pace University in Pleasantville.

/// JESUIT PROFILE

Brendan Gottschall, S.J. and Patrick Nolan, S.J.

BY ASTREA SLEZAK

N

early 17 years into his Jesuit

reached out to the Society of

life, Fr. Patrick Nolan, S.J.

Jesus,” said Nolan. “One day at

has found himself back

my corporate sports marketing

on 16th Street—living

firm, I finally got up the courage

upstairs in the Xavier Jesuit

to email the Jesuit vocation

Community. Nolan is in his first year serving

director. That message led me

as provincial assistant and director of

to a conversation with Fr. Steve

vocations for the USA East Province of the

Schoenig, S.J. We talked about

Society of Jesus.

why I might want to explore

Nolan shares responsibility for Xavier’s

this path. I told him I’d been

weekly Thursday 7:30 a.m. Mass with Fr.

given a lot in life and that I had

Brendan Gottschall, S.J., assistant director

this persistent feeling toward

and promoter of vocations for the USA

something deeper.”

East Province. Together, they are part of a

Nolan was ordained in 2018.

team that accompanies young men who are

Gottschall was ordained in 2024.

discerning a call to Jesuit life.

Xavier actually played a role in both

Now, they work to engage young adults in retreats, namely

Nolan’s and Gottschall’s decisions to enter

Hearts on Fire, a day-long retreat with

the Society of Jesus.

the goal of integrating spiritual lessons into their daily lives.

Both Nolan and Gottschall aim to help students, including Sons of Xavier, extend their spiritual learning outside the classroom—to teach them ways to engage with God in their everyday lives.

Gottschall said that more than 100 young people have participated in the retreat so far.

“We believe these retreats are tapping into a deep desire among young adults, and especially alumni of Jesuit high schools, to have a spiritual experience of their Catholic faith, similar to the experiences they might have had on retreats in high school or

Gottschall’s first experience meeting a

college,” he said.

to meet alumni of all of our Jesuit high schools at their colleges. One gets a strong sense of how much the nowcollege students appreciated their Jesuit education,” said Gottschall. “I feel like every time I meet a Xavier alumnus and mention John Pignone, S.J.’s name, his face lights up and he has some story to tell about Mr. Pignone as his football coach.

This kind of reminder of the cura personalis they received at their Jesuit high school keeps alive the community of Xavier and all Jesuit schools.”

Both Nolan and Gottschall aim to help students, including Sons of Xavier, extend their spiritual learning outside the classroom—to teach them ways to engage

Jesuit was at Georgetown. There, he also

Nolan added: “The Hearts on Fire

met students who had attended Jesuit high

retreats provide a spiritual recharge.

schools. One such student was Fr. Kieran

Through stories and Scripture-based

Halloran, S.J. ’10. “Kieran and I became

most?” are questions that Nolan said

reflection questions, young people are

friends, and I still remember when he told

are important for young adults to reflect

invited—in an accessible and welcoming

upon. “Retreats offer a compass and remind

me he was going to become a Jesuit. I

way—to recall who they were meant to

them that God is always near, waiting with

was surprised and excited because I had

be, how God has formed them, how God

open arms.”

decided to apply as well,” said Gottschall.

remains a faithful friend even when they

Following his graduation from Loyola

stumble, and how God invites and charges

vocations to the Society of Jesus. For

Maryland in 2001, Nolan began considering

them to imagine a hope-filled future.”

young men discerning a call to Jesuit life—

a Jesuit vocation. During that time, he lived

In addition to retreats, Nolan and

whether as a priest or a brother—resources

with God in their everyday lives.

“Where am I headed? What matters

In all of this, they also seek to promote

and worked near 16th Street, so he would

Gottschall regularly visit young alumni on

and personal stories are available at

attend daily Mass at the Church of St.

their college campuses.

beajesuit.org. For those interested in future

Francis Xavier. “It was at Xavier where I first

“It has been a really positive experience

retreats, visit jesuitseast.org/events.

XAVIER MAGAZINE

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50th Reunion

2.

May 2-3, 2025 Vintage Green and Xavier High School

1.

4.

3.

6.

8.

5.

1. The Class of 1975. 2. Mike O’Keefe ’75, Peter Rolla ’75, and Kevin O’Keefe ’76. 3. Terrence Culpepper ’75, James Verra ’75, and Joan Verra. 4. William Albert ’75, Kevin Loftus ’75, William Cox ’75, and Luke Lamberson ’75. 5. Joe Buongiorno ’75, Charles Arcodia ’75, Jim Palumbo ’75, and Kevin Loftus ’75. 6. Steve Vincent ’75, Richard McGeary ’75, and Andrew Laurence ’75. 7. Miguel Fittipaldi ’75 and Jim Hillman ’75. 8. Dr. John Muller ’75, Steve Scaglione ’75, Anthony Murljacic ’75, Jim McGrath ’75, John Kirk ’75, Andrew Laurence ’75, and Richard McGeary ’75.

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7.

1.

2.

UPCOMING EVENTS

3.

JERSEY SHORE RECEPTION Belmar Fishing Club July 10, 2025

ROCKAWAY RECEPTION Clark Residence July 29, 2025

’18

’19

4.

’19

5.

QUOGUE RECEPTION Surf Club of Quogue August 14, 2025

CAPE COD RECEPTION Black Cat Shack Out Back August 16, 2025

ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE Xavier High School October 18, 2025

’19

’23

1. Dr. Francis Corrado ’18. 2. Ensign Matthew DuBois, USN. 3. Parker Gooden ’19 and Nicholas Sclafani ’19. 4. Julian Navarro ’19 and John Hallinan ’71. 5. Liam Travis ’24, Patrick McCann ’23, and Christian Rosowicz ’21.

2018

Earlier this year, Francis Corrado, valedictorian of the Class of 2018, earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan.

He received the highest GPA award as well as the Thomas D. Rowe Award for leadership and outstanding service to the college. He is now completing a post-doctoral fellowship with Eli Lilly at their headquarters in Indianapolis, serving as a clinical research scientist in immunology.

Any Sons of Xavier interested in the pharmaceutical industry or the University of Michigan can contact Corrado at fcorrado@ umich.edu or on LinkedIn.

2019

In March, Ensign Matthew DuBois, USN graduated from the Submarine Officer Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut. He previously graduated from Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. He is now deployed to Norfolk, Virginia, assigned to the SS Montpelier.

Patrick Scariano writes that his essay, “Properly Partitioning Prejudice: Analyzing Mixed Brady and Napue Claims,” was published in Fordham Law Review Volume 93.

Nicholas Sclafani and Parker Gooden traveled to Portugal together late last year. Sclafani

lives in Chicago and works for JPMorgan. Gooden lives in New York City and works for Växa Partners. The two make an effort to see each other a couple of times a year.

Julian Navarro and John Hallinan ’71 participated in an America Media pilgrimage along the Camino Ignaciano in Spain in April.

2023

In December, Patrick McCann, Christian Rosowicz ’21, and Liam Travis ’24 attended the Holy Cross Rugby Football Club’s 27-22 victory over Duke University in the National Collegiate Rugby Final Four in Houston, Texas.

HALL OF FAME DINNER

Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers October 24, 2025

TURKEY BOWL

Jack Coffey Field, Fordham University November 27, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. RECEPTION Army and Navy Club December 3, 2025

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR THE LATEST EVENT UPDATES

XAVIER MAGAZINE

59

FORMER FACULT Y NOTES

Major Ron Grandel, USA (Ret.)

Cindy Castro

“It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since I last walked the halls of Xavier. Since my retirement in June 2024, I’ve spent five glorious weeks in my beloved Normandy, traveled to Puerto Rico several times, visited Greece with family, and am presently planning a trip to Bayonne, France, and Northern Spain,” Cindy Castro writes. “It has been such a gift to be able to travel during the off season and not face the crowds. I look forward to visiting some national parks in the near future and doing some hiking in the U.S. I also really appreciate the extra time that I have to engage in personal growth. I have been writing, reading, and biking.

I’ve also been busy with various projects in my home and garden and look forward to creating a mini-botanic garden right in my backyard. And finally, it’s been a great pleasure to keep up my friendships with my Xavier family and friends. My former students are always in my thoughts and I wish them well on their life journey. Hugs from Brooklyn!” Castro can be reached at castrocyril.c@gmail.com.

When Major Ron Grandel left Xavier in June 2004, he wanted to be closer to his widowed mother in Pennsylvania.

He took a job near Chambersburg in the central part of the state at a small, 110-yearold residential state school that provided free tuition and boarding to approximately 300 state veterans’ children in grades 3 through 12. Grandel became superintendent of Scotland School for Veterans’ Children and led the school until the state closed it in 2010 for financial reasons, leaving him to finally, in his words, “retire retire.”

He and his wife, Lisa, retired to central Virginia, in the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, after the passing of his mother. Grandel became active in the community by serving as a volunteer leader at the local library, a docent at the Stonewall Jackson House Museum in Lexington, and a volunteer at nearby grade schools, assisting teachers with math and reading for grades 2-5.

Grandel continued his love of running until 2006, then turned to walking. He added pickleball to his interests until medical issues forced him to give that up.

He has had to give up his library and museum pursuits as well, but his love of reading has never waned. He continues to read both nonfiction and fiction, especially mysteries and classics. He has started or joined several book clubs over the years, and he still belongs to a mystery book club on Zoom.

Grandel enjoys watching English soccer, baseball, golf, and pickleball on TV. He also enjoys visiting Facebook and Instagram and following family and friends, especially his ex-students from Xavier and Scotland School. He can be reached at rlgrandel@ gmail.com.

Maureen and Bob Reinhart ’69 P’94 ’99

“Retirement has been very good to us these past 5+ years,” Maureen and Bob Reinhart shared. “Traveling has occupied a large part of our time, both here in the States and overseas. We have visited Alaska, California, Florida, and even cruised on the Mississippi River. Our international trips have brought us to Germany, Ireland, France, Portugal, and the Scandinavian countries. In our travels we have

met Xavier parents and spent time with former colleagues.

When we’re not traveling, we spend time with family and friends. Being able to watch our grandchildren grow is a blessing.

Life is good!”

Fr. Anthony SooHoo, S.J.

“Since 2017, I have been teaching in the faculty for Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Our students come from around the world and many are preparing to teach in seminaries or theology centers in their home dioceses,” Fr. Anthony SooHoo, S.J. writes. “My courses involve classes in ancient history and languages, including Egyptian hieroglyphics, Akkadian cuneiform, and biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. On the weekends, I help out at the Oratorio del Caravita, which offers liturgies for the Anglophone community here in Rome. During the year, it’s a pleasure to welcome student groups from our Jesuit high schools who visit Rome on pilgrimage and who come to see the rooms of St. Ignatius or the relics of St. Francis Xavier.”

SooHoo can be reached at apsoohoo@biblico.it.

Jesuit Jubilarians Xavier celebrates those who mark milestone anniversaries in the Society of Jesus this year: former history and religion teacher Fr. Louis Garaventa, S.J. (60 years in the Society), Fr. Bill Cain, S.J. ’65 (60 years in the Society), Fr. Marc Roselli, S.J. ’73 (50 years in the Society), Fr. Robert Kennedy, S.J. ’51 (60 years in the priesthood), former headmaster and president Fr. Ken Boller, S.J. (50 years in the priesthood), former Xavier Jesuit Community superior and trustee Fr. Tom Feely, S.J. (50 years in the priesthood), Fr. John LaRocca, S.J. ’63 (50 years in the priesthood), and current Xavier Jesuit Community superior and trustee Fr. Tom Benz, S.J. (25 years in the priesthood).

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MILESTONES

Greg ’69 and Gail Belli with Bob O’Grady ’69 and Janie Rivera

Oliver Knox, son of Kieran Wilhelm ’01

Maeve Eleanore, granddaughter of Jim Menendez ’81

Brandon Sapienza ’17 and Abigail Miller

Weddings

Engagements

On February 15, Patrick Steffens ’11 married Allison Swift in Montecito, California. They were joined by more than a dozen Xavier alumni who traveled west for the celebration.

Brandon Sapienza ’17 became engaged to Abigail Miller on February 22.

Bob O’Grady ’69 married Janie Rivera in Arizona in October. Greg Belli ’69 and Gail Belli were among the guests.

Billy Collins ’14 married Angela Kokis on April 25 with fellow Xavier alumni by his side.

Sean Sullivan ’13 and Carly Gertler were engaged in February. The wedding will be held in December in Baltimore.

Births

Dr. Joseph Juhász ’57 recently welcomed his sixth grandchild, Ezra Lindo Juhász-Wood.

On January 14, Paul Demartini ’64 and his wife, Martha, welcomed a new grandchild, Asher Francis, born to their daughter, Katherine, and her husband, Joseph.

Dr. Michael Entrup ’75 recently welcomed his first grandchild, Gabriella Sloane Pinsky.

Jim Menendez ’81 and his wife, Mary Ellen, welcomed their first grandchild, a girl named Maeve Eleanore, on March 2, 2024.

Kieran Wilhelm ’01 and his wife, Andrea, welcomed Oliver Knox Wilhelm on July 23, 2024.

Desmond Peter, son of Shane Lavin ’03

Shane Lavin ’03 and his wife, Bridget Mahoney, welcomed their second son, Desmond Peter Lavin, on September 18, 2024. Desmond weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and measured 21 inches long. “Big brother Niall is thrilled to have a new playmate,” Lavin writes.

José Miranda ’09 and his partner, Michelle, recently welcomed their first child, Thiago.

Taylor Conlon ’10 and his wife welcomed a daughter, Rosie Patricia Conlon, on March 25.

XAVIER MAGAZINE

61

The Death of St. Francis Xavier, a limestone relief panel that depicts Xavier’s 1552 death from fever with China in his sights, is on display in Cook Library. The relief was the gift of Fr. Joseph McShane, S.J., former president of Fordham University.

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XAVIER MAGAZINE

In Memoriam Alumni

James Wittick ’48, 4/14/22

Dr. Michael Lazzopina ’41, 8/4/21

Raymond Boyd ’49, 7/5/16

Alessio Matera ’41, 9/21/20

Vincent Kane ’49, 3/23/24

Leo Tarpey ’41, uncle of James McIntosh ’72, 8/28/06 John Cashman ’44, 3/26/18 John Goldsmith ’45, 9/1/24 Hon. Leo McGinity ’45, brother of Kenneth McGinity ’49†, 12/14/24 William Reiner, Sr. ’45, 5/17/21 Dr. William Eckhardt ’46, 11/8/04 Joseph Gerardi, Jr. ’46, brother of George Gerardi ’50, 2/2/25

Paul Cavanagh ’49, 12/4/24 Joseph Libbon ’49, 2/28/09 CAPT James Rooney III, USCG (Ret.) ’49, 6/15/22 Thomas Buttling ’50, 7/20/19 Ronald Catlin ’50, 4/18/22 Donald Kapp ’50, 2/18/11 Hon. Thomas Nuss ’50, 1/14/25 Dr. Terence O’Flanagan ’50, 1/18/21 Lawrence Olvany ’50, 10/31/19

Albert Hicks ’46, 7/2/21

Dr. Richard Sheehan ’50, 2/19/25

W. James Martin ’46, 5/15/21

Victor Stronski ’50, 4/11/24

Charles Lattarulo ’46, 11/29/23

Dr. Robert Tormey ’50, 11/6/09

Donald Pascale ’46, 5/4/07

Dr. Thomas Walsh ’50, 4/24/22

Dr. Anthony Sarro ’46, 12/20/24

James Whelehan ’50, 9/25/24

LTC James Connolly, USMC (Ret.) ’47, 6/19/19

Arthur Cecala ’51, 9/4/18

Dr. James McMahon ’53, 4/19/20 Norman Melbinger ’53, 3/19/22 Richard Muller ’53, 4/4/20 COL Albert Pagani, USAF (Ret.) ’53, 12/5/18 John Heelan, Jr. ’54, 5/5/24 Kenneth Thumser ’54, 6/3/24 Dr. John Calogero ’55, 10/25/24 Kenneth Corman ’55, 4/24/16 William Gesek, Jr. ’55, 10/4/17 Joseph Haller, Jr. ’55, 4/14/20 Dr. Donald Kissinger, Jr. ’55, son of Donald Kissinger 1927 P’55†, 11/25/24

Parents Dorothy Rogers P’65 ’69, mother of James Rogers ’65 and Casey Rogers ’69, 12/4/24 Rita Orlando P’80, mother of Anthony Orlando ’80 P’17 and grandmother of David Orlando ’17, 12/31/24 Rosalie Parmach P’88 ’90 ’94, mother of Michael Parmach ’88, Anton Parmach ’90, and Dr. Robert Parmach ’94, 4/15/25

Edward Gardner ’57, 2/3/25 COL Jerome Modolo, USAF (Ret.) ’57, 7/18/00

Eugene Guarneri P’93, father of Robert Guarneri ’93, 2/4/25

Joseph Sayour ’57, 1/21/25

Paul Ferrara P’98, father of Christopher Ferrara ’98, 6/17/24

Alexander Colletti ’56, 2/7/22

Thomas Cody ’59, 3/5/25

James Devine ’51, 1/8/16

Hon. Thomas Crean ’59, 4/6/25 Neal Hunt ’61, 1/1/24 Dr. F. Paul Esposito ’62, 12/1/24

Donald Fagan ’47, 3/28/18

LTC Paul Grace, USA (Ret.) ’51, cousin of Daniel Grace ’55, 2/24/16

Raymond Huggard ’47, 1/14/14

Dr. James Doyle ’47, 3/1/25

Vincent Jouvenet ’01, 11/17/21

Eileen McConeghy P’90, mother of Kevin McCormack ’90 and aunt of Sean McConeghy ’99, 1/25/25

Edward H. Murphy ’55, 6/29/23

Chester Dodge, Jr. ’51, 5/12/20

Joseph Cowden ’47, 2/10/20

John Serafinko ’95, 8/15/24

Thomas Winter P’01 ’04, father of Thomas Winter ’01 and Stephen Winter ’04, 2/12/25

George King ’51, 7/11/21

Lawrence Moringiello P’07, father of Douglas Moringiello ’07, 1/1/22

John McGuire ’47, 12/13/20

Charles Cangemi ’63, brother of Francis Cangemi ’61† and Paul Cangemi ’64, 9/17/24

Dr. Joseph Knott ’51, 7/29/08

Peter Smith ’47, 2/4/23

Frank Creamer, Jr. ’64, 5/17/24

LTC Donald Londahl-Smidt, USAF (Ret.) ’51, 5/17/22

Peter Costiglio ’66, cousin of Kevin McLaughlin ’74 and brother-in-law of Stephen J. Fogarty ’67, 3/17/25

Glenn Bergstol P’13 ’15, father of Dylan Bergstol ’13 and Matthew Bergstol ’15 and fatherin-law of Thomas Riches ’03, 4/29/25

Rev. Charles Snopek ’47, brother of John Snopek ’49†, 9/8/13 Harold Stanton ’47, 9/30/16 C. Philip Strakosch ’47, 12/5/16 Robert Bagnasco ’48, brother of Rev. Philip Bagnasco, Jr. ’44†, 2/8/25 James Dehn ’48, 8/26/07 Joseph DeRose ’48, 10/5/24 LTC John Emmerich, USAF (Ret.) ’48, 8/18/22

Stillman Loomis ’51, 1/23/23 Cornelius Morris ’51, 5/27/24 MAJ William Shea, USMC (Ret.) ’51, 2/3/24 Albert Sterlini ’51, 12/21/19 Alfred Trivilino ’51, 4/2/13 Dr. Bernard McQuillan ’52, 5/19/24 Charles Nicholson ’52, 1/3/14 Francis Notaro ’52, 7/15/20

Michael Gillen ’48 P’82, father of Thomas Gillen ’82, 6/2/23

William Reilly ’52, 10/25/14

Edward Loud ’48, 4/27/17

James Brew ’53, 3/27/19

Alphonsus Mitchell ’48, 2/15/25

Dr. Francis Hanigan ’53, brother of James Hanigan ’55 and cousin of Peter Hanigan ’51† and Charles Tooker ’49†, 7/9/21

Daniel Mulligan ’48, 2/26/20 Harold Walter ’48, brother of former faculty member Fr. Joseph Walter, S.J.†, 5/22/20

Matthew Vetri ’52, 10/15/24

Hugh Kelly ’53, 3/10/21

Charles Farrie ’68, 3/16/25 Michael Wilson ’68, brother of Thomas Wilson ’72†, 2/22/25

Jason Gill P’25, father of Aaron Gill ’25 2/16/25

Leo Sullivan ’72, brother of Christopher Sullivan ’67 and William Sullivan ’69, 3/13/25

Thomas Gibbons P’28, longtime college counselor, guidance counselor, teacher, and former Dean of Students, 5/25/25

Christopher Carey ’74, brother of Michael Carey ’80, 3/24/25

Spouses

Joseph Masterson, Jr. ’75, 4/7/20

Kristine Zingone, wife of Raffaele Zingone ’86, 2/18/25

Barnaby Miles ’75, 4/17/25 James Moore ’78, 4/13/25 Douglas Hildemann ’80, 4/16/25 Desmond Nelly ’80, 1/1/17 James Cahalan ’90, 3/3/25 Ryan Galicia ’90, 2/5/25

Friends Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U., president of Notre Dame School, 3/30/25 Sr. Dominica Rocchio, S.C., former trustee, 2/10/25

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BACK STORY

A Source of Vision

BY KIM SMITH

Jesuit theologian Fr. Walter Burghardt, S.J. ’31 once described prayer as a long, loving look at the real. The gift of the Spiritual Exercises that St. Ignatius wrote in a cave when blinded by his own scruples are exercises of prayer that help us to look at Jesus. And in that prayer, in that looking, we are able to develop a better vision of how to lead in the world.

When I first encountered St. Ignatius, I was looking for something specific: a confirmation name. As a child of the 20th century, I sought it in a little book with faux blue leather and golden lettering proclaiming The Lives of the Saints. It was filled with fantastical stories—daring acts met often with dismally gruesome ends. As I sought a brave and noble saint to help guide me through my earthly life, I met St. Ignatius on a page when he was coming out of the cave. What I saw in the story of St. Ignatius was the story of a man who tried really hard, but he tried so hard, his own efforts got in the way of his seeing God at work in his life. He left that darkened cave of his scruples enlightened to see the world as full of God, because he let God in. I chose his name so that he might intercede for me and help me to see God in all things.

One of the ways that the Spiritual Exercises helps the seeker to see is by helping us remember what we need to look at—and that is to look towards God. The gift that the Spiritual Exercises has given me is the gift of conversation with Jesus, a reminder that seeking Jesus’ gaze is a worthwhile pursuit. Imaginative prayer, one element of the Exercises, is a very tender and beautiful way to encounter the 64

XAVIER MAGAZINE

Gospels, to actually see Jesus with our mind’s eye. Spending time in close reading and seeing myself walking next to Jesus and with the apostles gives me a proximity to the living Divine.

When I step away from the prayer, it becomes easier to seek that divine presence in the everyday.

My first attempt at this exercise was when I began spiritual direction years ago. The director invited me into the moment in John’s Gospel when Mary Magdalene seeks Jesus just outside the tomb on Easter. Mary, in a frenzied sadness at having lost her friend, turns to a man who asks her why she is weeping.

Mistaking him for a gardener, she asks the man in front of her to bring back her friend. She speaks about her love of Jesus without realizing she was speaking to Jesus. She couldn’t see him in her grief. Jesus responds by calling her by name, and in that moment of recognition, when Mary is herself seen by Jesus, and feels that gaze, her eyes are opened. This exercise let me pray with the laughter I see in Christ’s eyes, smiling at me, knowing he is there when I am uncertain. It is a good place for prayer when you feel out of touch or alone.

This Lent, a friend of Xavier, Fr. Kevin Spinale, S.J., opened the liturgical season with a Sunday homily that invited the congregation into the gaze between Peter and Christ after Peter’s third denial. That particular gaze contained Peter’s guilt and shame, and Christ’s recognition of that, along with his long loving look at the real of who Peter is, a loved sinner, like all of us. In that moment of prayer, I felt seen as Peter was seen, in the totality of my sin and belovedness. It was a great gaze in which to begin a Lenten season.

In that prayer, in that looking, we are able to develop a better vision of how to lead in the world.”

In each season of our lives, each season of the liturgical calendar, we are invited to meet that gaze of Christ. We are encouraged to show up just as we are and walk with Jesus in the Gospels. Maybe we are looking for something specific—like a confirmation name. Or maybe just looking at and with Jesus will help us see the rest of the world with the light outside the Easter tomb, to walk into our lives fortified with the vision of Christ’s constant presence for and with us.

Kim Smith is Xavier’s Headmaster. She is a graduate of Boston College and the University of Denver.

The Xavier Dramatics Society’s long tradition of excellence owes much to the dedicated faculty members who guide their efforts. In 1991, religion teacher Michael Wawrzynski marked his first show as XDS director and moderator in memorable fashion. A snowstorm canceled opening night of the classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, but the show went on thanks to a resilient cast and crew. “The fate of the show seemed up in the balance,” Edward Kiley ’91 wrote in that year’s yearbook, “but the cast came through and gave three hysterical performances.”

A Rich Partnership

Students in Xavier’s Holocaust Studies Program listen as Gavriel Rosenfeld, president of the Center for Jewish History, speaks in Cook Library.

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