Faith

Campus Ministry offers many programs to help foster the spiritual development of the Xavier community. This year’s activities include:

  • Prayer to begin and end the school day
  • Mass before school on Fridays at 7:00 a.m
  • Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays
  • Monthly All School Liturgy
  • Advent and Lent Reconciliation services
  • Liturgy Committee
  • Liturgy Singers
  • Lifesavers (Respect Life Committee)
  • Community Service Day
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Teens Encounter Christ Retreats (TEC)
  • Kairos Retreats
  • Class Retreats
  • Mission trip
  • And much more!

Campus Ministry Mission Statement

Through worship, service, and Christian leadership, the Xavier Campus Ministry Department strives to assist each student to a deeper understanding of our Catholic faith and a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

Philosophy

Xavier High School is a part of the tradition and mission of the Roman Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Dubuque. As a part of that tradition we are committed to:

  • Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus in a Catholic faith filled environment that motivates each student, staff member, parent/guardian and supporter to share in that mission.
  • Developing each person’s spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical gifts
  • Respecting each individual person’s unique value and talents
  • Building God’s kingdom through service to our community, nurturing family relationships, and modeling Christ in our everyday actions
  • Creating an atmosphere of justice and trust through embracing the Gospel in our decisions and actions
  • Fostering stewardship through personal commitment, responsibility, and accountability to one another and to our world
  • Providing a learning atmosphere where creativity and innovation are honored and celebrated

Liturgy Committee/Liturgy Singers

The students on this committee plan and implement all Masses, Reconciliation services, Stations of the Cross, prayer services and all other spiritual events. They serve in all Liturgical roles including readers, servers, ushers, sacristans and Eucharistic Ministers.

The Liturgy Singers lead the student body and faculty in the songs and sung acclamations during the Liturgy. Students that play instruments are also part of this ensemble for music ministry.

Lifesavers

The XHS Lifesavers group focuses on defending the basic rights of those who are weakest and most marginalized: the poor, the homeless, the innocent unborn, and the frail and elderly who need our respect and our assistance. Through educational events, charitable efforts, times of prayer, and opportunities for public witness, they bring attention to this important issue. Such initiatives are integral to supporting the Church’s ongoing effort to help build a culture in which every human life without exception is respected and defended.

Lifesavers activities 2011/2012:

  • 40 Days for Life – Praying the Rosary outside of Planned Parenthood September 28-November 6. 3:00 p.m.
  • Respect Life Week – October 24-28. Activities include:
    • 400 white crosses representing the 4,000 lives lost each day to abortion in the US
    • Chris Stefanick, Pro-Life Speaker, Monday, October 24. 10:00 a.m.
    • Baby Shower for Birthright and Aid to Women
    • Dress in Black Day as a witness to the lack of respect for life in today’s culture
  • March for Life in Washington DC in January 2012

Mission Trip

Each year Campus Ministry students embark on a trip to an area where there is need, either because of poverty or a natural disaster, to assist with whatever is needed. The team begins and ends the day with prayer and spends the day working in the community.

In June of 2011 we had our annual Campus Ministry Mission Trip. Eighteen Xavier students from all grades and adult chaperones Mrs. May, Mrs. Esker, Lisa and Tony Bejarno, Steve Schraeder and Jim Gignac  attended Catholic Heart Work Camp in Denver, CO. Catholic Heart is a very special program that is attended by students from schools throughout the US. Students spent the week working in for the elderly by doing such tasks as interior and exterior painting, cleaning, yard work and landscaping. After the work day there was free time for interacting with other students and attending Mass. In the evening there was Spiritual programming which included Christian music, witness talks, inspirational video clips and skits. One night the students participated in communal Reconciliation followed by a time of reflection. The weekend closed with Mass for all students, leaders and organizers of the retreat. This was a wonderful experience which allowed the students to serve others but also to interact with other Catholic youth and to be fed spiritually.

Weekly Mass

During the school year Mass is held in the Chapel on Friday at 7am.