News Detail
Xaverian Holds Awareness Day Presentations
On Thursday, March 10 all Xaverian students attended Awareness Day presentations. This month’s theme was Social Justice.
Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc., presented to students in Grade 7. Helping Hands has helps adults with spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments throughout the U.S. live more independent and engaged lives. They do this by providing them, free of charge, with a unique service animal: a highly trained service monkey to help with their daily tasks. These animals bring more than just a willing set of nimble hands to their recipients. The presentation included a live Skype call with a trainer and monkey from the local monkey college.
Students in Grades 8 and 9 viewed last year’s spring musical Fiddler on the Roof. The play centers on the Tevye family, a Jewish family living in the town of Anatevka, in the Russian Empire, in 1905. Anatevka is broken into two sections: a small Orthodox Jewish section and a larger Russian Orthodox Christian section. Tevye notes that, "We don't bother them, and so far, they don't bother us." Throughout the story, Tevye (breaks the fourth wall) by talking at times, directly to the audience or to the heavens (to God), for the audience's benefit. Much of the story is told in musical form. Students were asked to reflect and look for scenes where compassion and understanding were shared between neighbors and family members of differing viewpoints.
Josh Chochrek, Brendan Fallon, Zach Zollo and Aidan Coia led a panel discussion for students in Grade 10. Each student has participated in service/justice opportunities Xaverian offers. Chochrek talked about is experience on the Global Encounter trip to Ecuador, Fallon on his experience in Camden, NJ, Zollo on the trip to Bethlehem Farm and Coia on X-CEL and X-ACT.
Students in Grade 10 listened to a presentation from Dan Cummings ’99, the founder of Journey Forward. Dan broke his neck at the age of 19 years old, becoming a C6 quadriplegic. He was told that he would never walk again and would be lucky if he could ever feed himself again. Dan made a promise to himself that he was going to do whatever it took to walk again. Eventually, his journey took him to California. This is where he began work at a specialized rehabilitation center where he underwent an intense exercise based program. Dan spent four years in this program. He completed the program approximately seven years after doctors told him that he would never walk again. Dan walked out of those doors in California and brought the program home to Boston. Thus beginning, the program Journey Forward. Dan continues to be a leader for all those affected by paralysis.
To conclude the presentations, Grade 12 students participated in a presentation by Fr. Puopolo ’67. A member of Xaverian’s first graduating class, Fr. Puopolo discussed the ten principles of Catholic Social Thought. He also reflected on his work as a Xaverian Missionary, the pastoral circle and its application among students in Sierra Leone.
Xaverian Brothers High School
Phone: 781-326-6392
Fax: 781-320-0458
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EIN (Tax ID Number): 04-2314036
Fax: 781-320-0458
Directions | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
EIN (Tax ID Number): 04-2314036
Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.
