|
Dear Xavier Families,
It was another great week for the Xavier community, one that reflected the energy, achievement, and spirit that defines life on Randolph Road.
Last Saturday, our indoor track and field team captured the Southern Connecticut Conference Championship. The title marks their fourth in the last five years and the 70th overall SCC championship for Xavier athletics. We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches for continuing a tradition of excellence that stretches across generations. In an exhilarating fashion, the Falcons won the SCC Championship in the final event!
Earlier this week, we announced our Second Quarter Honor Roll. Congratulations to the 376 students who earned recognition for their hard work and dedication in the classroom. Their commitment to academic excellence is a testament to the culture of discipline and pride that lives in our halls every day.
Our clubs and student organizations continue to make an impact beyond campus. On Tuesday, members of the Hispanic Student Association visited St. John Paul II School, where they taught students traditional Latin dances including bachata, salsa, and merengue. It was a joyful opportunity to celebrate culture, build connections, and share leadership with younger students in our community.
On Thursday evening, the School Counseling Office hosted a Sophomore Parent and Student Night. It was a well-attended and informative event that provided families with helpful guidance as students continue planning their academic journey. We are grateful to our counseling team for supporting families with clarity, care, and expertise.
This Saturday, 30 Xavier students and seven adult chaperones will depart for our annual mission trip to Guatemala, marking the largest group from Xavier to take part in this life changing experience. During the trip, students will help build three homes, deliver groceries to families in need, and spend meaningful time with students at Kairos Christian School. Father Jeffrey Ellis, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Norwich, will be traveling with the group and celebrating Mass each day, grounding the trip in prayer and reflection. The other adult chaperones include Ms. Megan Keefe, Mr. Paul Kieda, Mr. David Applegate, Brother John Sullivan, C.F.X., Mr. Peter Lyons, and Price Savini '25. This mission is a powerful expression of Xavier's commitment to service, faith, and global brotherhood, and we keep our travelers in our prayers as they prepare to serve.
As February vacation approaches, we wish all of our Xavier families a safe, restful, and relaxing break. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our school community.
I wanted to share this Sunday's Gospel from Matthew 5: 17-37.
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna."
"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.' But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.' But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean ''No' Anything more is from the evil one."
In this Sunday's Gospel from Matthew, Jesus challenges his disciples to understand that faith is not just about following rules on the surface, but about transforming the heart. He reminds them that he has come to fulfill the law, not erase it, and that true righteousness goes deeper than outward behavior. Anger, dishonesty, and selfish desire are not small matters. They shape who we become and how we treat one another. Jesus calls his followers to reconciliation, integrity, and purity of intention. He asks them to be people whose words can be trusted and whose relationships are grounded in respect and mercy.
At Xavier, this message speaks directly to our mission of forming young men of character and faith. Education here is not only about academic excellence, but about shaping the heart. We encourage our students to take responsibility for their actions, to seek reconciliation when relationships are strained, and to live with honesty in their words and choices. When our community strives to let our "yes" mean yes and our "no" mean no, we build trust, brotherhood, and a culture rooted in Gospel values. This passage reminds us that holiness is lived in everyday decisions, in how we treat classmates, teachers, teammates, and family, and in the quiet commitment to do what is right even when no one is watching.
Mr. Cerreta '01
President, Xavier High School
______________________________________________________
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
- Friday, Feb. 13: Deposits Due for the Class of 2030
- Saturday, Feb. 14: Guatemala Trip Begins!
- Monday, Feb. 16: President's Day (NO SCHOOL / OFFICES CLOSED)
- Monday, Feb. 16: Start of Winter Break
- Wednesday, Feb. 18: Ash Wednesday
- Sunday, Feb. 22: First Sunday of Lent
- Monday, Feb. 23: CLASSES RESUME
- Wednesday, Feb. 25: Early Dismissal (12:30 PM)
- Thursday, Feb. 26: Early Dismissal (12:30 PM)
- Thursday, Feb. 26: Parent Teacher Conference (1:00 PM - 5:30 PM)
- Friday, Feb. 27: Senior Service Hours Due
- Sunday, Mar. 1: Second Sunday of Lent
- Monday, Mar. 2: AP Applications Assessment Week Begins
- Tuesday, Mar. 3: Spring Freshmen Leadership Day (11:55 AM)
- Thursday, Mar. 5: Mini Open House (6:00 PM)
- Friday, Mar. 6: AP Applications Due
- Friday, Mar. 6: Spring Musical at Mercy (7:00 PM)
______________________________________________________
FROM THE FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE
- Financial Aid applications for the 2026-27 academic year are still being accepted. For those seeking financial aid for the 2026-2027 academic year, we invite you to complete the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. The application can be accessed at https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3CHKL. Financial aid at Xavier is awarded to families with demonstrated need, ensuring resources are thoughtfully allocated to those who require assistance. Families facing temporary financial hardships are encouraged to contact the Head of School to discuss special arrangements. ______________________________________________________
FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
- The 2026-27 one-page school calendar is available HERE. A full calendar will be made available later this spring.
- We're excited to announce our Second Quarter Honor Roll! To view the list, click here.
- With winter weather upon us, please note Xavier High School's notification procedures and our policies for cancellation of school and for make-up days. The information can be found here.
- The Xavier Robotics Summer Camp is open to all students currently in grades 5th through 8th. The camp is from 9:00 am to noon on July 13-17 at Xavier and costs $300. More details and the registration form can be found HERE.
- Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 26 from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. Parents will have the option of meeting with teachers and school counselors in person or remotely via Microsoft Teams. Signups for conferences will be required regardless of the type of conference chosen. Conference slots will be 10 minutes in length and will be filled through a first-come-first-serve process. Information regarding conference signups will be e-mailed to parents on Friday, February 20.
______________________________________________________
FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
- All home athletic events for the sports of Basketball, Hockey, and Wrestling require purchase of admission through our online ticketing platform GoFan. Please click here to purchase your tickets or season pass.
- Spring Sports Registrationis open! If your son plans on playing a sport this spring, he must be registered through Arbiter Registration, even if he has already played a sport this school year. As a reminder, please make sure the nurse has a copy of your son's most recent physical. Physicals are valid for 13 months from the date of the exam. You can register your son here.
______________________________________________________
FROM THE HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
- Tickets, sponsorship, ad and general support opportunities are now open for your consideration to help us make the 34th Annual Black and White Auction a success and a night to remember! This year's event, presented in partnership with the Atlas Outdoor Living Company and the beautiful Woodwinds in Branford, CT will offer six hours of good food and beverages, exciting prizes and prize drawings and of course time for dancing!
We are excited to introduce the start of the Xavier HSA's Impact Award program at this annual event. The XHSA's Impact Award honors an individual whose selfless generosity, leadership, and dedication have made a lasting and indelible impact on our sons, helping shape their character, direction, and future. We are honored to announce that the inaugural recipient of the Xavier Impact Award is Mr. Rich Feitel, The Director of Alumni and Development. Details of the Honoree Program can be found on the Auction website.
Please share the details with your family and friends and invite them to share this community celebration and fun(ds) raising. All are invited!
______________________________________________________
- As a friendly reminder, the service requirements for each respective class, as well as the due dates, are as follows:
- CLASS OF 2026: 30 hours due FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
- CLASS OF 2027: 35 hours due FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026... 30 additional senior hours will be due MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2027
- CLASS OF 2028: 40 hours, due WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1st, 2026... 40 additional hours due SENIOR YEAR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1st 2028
- CLASS OF 2029: 40 hours due sophomore year, THURSDAY, APRIL 1st, 2027... 40 additional hours due senior year, THURSDAY, MARCH 1st 2029
If your son needs service hours, opportunities remain listed and the list is frequently updated OnCampus (under NEWS and FEATURED CONTENT). To view this more easily, CLICK HERE or just scan the QR Code hung around school.
- This year's JUNIOR RETREAT takes place March 12-14, 2026 at the Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center in Litchfield. The theme is An Upperclassmen Journey: becoming a leader. There are a limited number of spots. You can register your son today in the OnCampus Parent Portal.
______________________________________________________
FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE
- Parents of Seniors - Scholarships are listed in Naviance. Look through to find ones relevant to your son.
- Parents of Juniors - Be sure your completed Record Release form and Parent Brag sheet are turned into the School Counseling office.
______________________________________________________
FROM THE ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
- Tickets are $100 each. Only 800 will be sold and the winner takes home 25,000 dollars.
- Ticket numbers will be sent via email. When purchasing a ticket, you must provide an email address. Ticket numbers will not be sent out in the mail.
- The drawing will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8 at Xavier High School. You do not need to be present to win, but you must be at least 18 years old to purchase.
- Purchaser of the winning ticket is responsible for all taxes. In accordance with IRS regulations, all state and federal taxes will be withheld by Xavier High School.
______________________________________________________
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT
- ASSE International is partnering with Xavier High School to welcome international high school exchange students, ages 15-18, into your family and create bonds that will last a lifetime. Hosting an international student offers a unique cultural exchange experience for both the student and your family. To learn more about hosting an international exchange student click here or contact Chris Sansone, Director of Enrollment.
______________________________________________________
|
