Advancing Xavier
HAP’s GREATEST BELIEVER Rev. D. Michael J. Flynn, S.J. 1941–2012 More than 30 years after he left 16th Street, the legacy of the late Rev. D. Michael Flynn, S.J., endures at Xavier High School. The Jesuit who was synonymous with Xavier’s Higher Achievement Program (HAP) passed away on July 27, 2012. “He embodied the HAP program. It had no greater believer,” said Rev. Donald Gannon, S.J. HAP provides academic and extracurricular enrichment for 7th and 8th graders regardless of financial status. Its mission fit Fr. Flynn’s gifts and talents perfectly. HAP was founded in 1964 at Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J.; its spread would dramatically reshape the socioeconomic makeup of Jesuit secondary schools. At Xavier and many other schools, HAP is a life changing experience. Last summer, more than 200 young men took part and were introduced to Xavier teachers, students and fellow participants throughout New York City. A gifted and loving pastor, Fr. Flynn headed numerous parishes serving primarily Hispanic communities. He spent many summers in Santiago, Chile immersed in the culture and Spanish language, which supported his outreach work in New York. Fr. Flynn was also a member of Xavier’s religious education department from 1972–1980, and he witnessed the way HAP opened Jesuit schools up to diversity. Countless alumni like Joe Nardiello ’80 recalled the Jesuit’s compassion, humor and concern for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. “He was incredibly personable,” Mr. Nardiello said. “He had the perfect balance of goodness and humility.” Ken Ng ’80 was recruited by Fr. Flynn into Xavier’s HAP program prior to attending Xavier. Years after graduation, he and his wife, Lucy, reconnected with Fr. Flynn. The friendship led to Mr. Ng’s baptism in the Catholic Church, with Fr. Flynn as his sponsor. A familial relationship continued until Fr. Flynn’s passing. “Lucy and I discovered that he made everyone feel special and loved,” Mr. Ng said. “Fr. Flynn was a wonderfully concerned and loving man with enormous capacity to care for others.” Fr. Flynn left Xavier in 1980 and served as director of vocations for the New York Province of the Society of Jesus until 1986. He was named director of the Hispanic Lay Leadership Program in 1997. He also served as pastor of Nativity Church on Manhattan’s Lower East
Side and St. Mary of the Assumption and Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedict on Staten Island. In 2011, he began a new assignment at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Hempstead, Long Island. “A few years ago, during one of our short visits, Mike shocked me,” Mr. Ng said. “After having run three parishes, Rev. D. Michael J. Flynn, S.J. attending to the vocation of others, establishing numerous programs, and teaching at Xavier, he wondered if he was doing enough with his life. Fr. Flynn changed my life completely.” Fr. Flynn was memorialized at Xavier High School with a scholarship founded by Ken Ng ’80. To learn more about the Fr. Flynn scholarship, visit xavierhs.org/Flynn.
REACHING OUT TO RAISE FUNDS 2013 Phonathon raises $125,000 for Annual Fund More than 2,000 calls went out to alumni, donors and friends during the annual Xavier Phonathon, January 29–31 and February 12-13. For the volunteers that make calls on Xavier High School’s behalf each year, the effort is about more than raising money. “After Beefsteak, it’s my favorite alumni event,” said Jim Gildea ’70. “I look forward to re-connecting every year with classmates and raising awareness of Xavier’s financial needs.” Phonathon volunteers play a central role in helping Xavier reach its Annual Fund goal of $2.1 million. Calls to date raised $125,000 in pledges — a significant percent of the overall Annual Fund goal. “The work these SOX do really makes a difference in the opportunities for our young men here at Xavier,” said Director of Development Mark Mongelluzzo. “And the enthusiasm of our parents is just great.” This year also marked the return of Frank Leahy ’41, who has volunteered for nearly every Phonathon since the inception of the Annual Fund in 1982. “He’s 89 and the epitome of ‘loyal son and true,’” Mr. Mongelluzzo added. “You gotta love a guy like that.” Wrap-up Phonathon will take place March 19. E-mail mongelluzzom@ xavierhs.org for more info. Xavier Magazine
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