Celebrating the Christmas Season at the Advent Prayer Service
Christmas truly is a wonderful time of year – and what better way to make the season just that much more special than sharing it with the Saint John’s community. On December 14, students, faculty, and staff gathered one final time before the Christmas break to celebrate the season at the Advent Prayer Service.
The service began with a homily offered by Father Jose Rodriguez, who encouraged everyone to find the joy within themselves this holiday season.
Christmas spirit filled the Salem Commons with musical performances from current students and faculty. Ben Sharf ’18, Mark Cheffers ’18, Peter Oliver ’18, and Miguel Lopez ’20 performed Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, which can be viewed by clicking here, the Saint John’s Choir performed Night of Silence, and Mr. William White ’83 and Tom Goodhue ’18 closed the service with Glory (Let There Be Peace).
This year, Tom Goodhue ’18 and Mr. Pat White graced the audience with their personal stories in reflecting on how God has entered their lives. Each thoughtful reflection reminded us to slow down in our everyday lives and appreciate nature, our families, and our health.
In reflecting on how much we have to be thankful for, the Saint John’s community partnered with the Main South St. Vincent de Paul Society and the South Worcester Neighborhood Association to provide Christmas gifts for families within the Worcester area. Senior Marc Durocher welcomed representatives from the associations, Amie Neville and Ronald Charette, and presented them with the gifts collected this year. Amie and Ronald’s words of thanks, again, remind us all how blessed we are to be a part of this wonderful community.
The service concluded with the much-anticipated presentation of the Xaverian Value Awards for Humility, Trust, Zeal, Compassion, and Simplicity. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
- Stephen Bucciaglia '18 - Xaverian Value Award, Humility
- Austin Parente '18 - Xaverian Value Award, Trust
- Jacob Hayden '18 - Xaverian Value Award, Zeal
- Joseph Walsh '18 - Xaverian Value Award, Compassion
- Surya Suresh '20 - Xaverian Value Award, Simplicity
To view more photos from the Advent Prayer Service, please click here.
From all of us at Saint John’s, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2018!
