Feeling Like a Hawk for a Day!

PHOTO: Appleton Post Crescent

BY: Evan Siegel

This past Wednesday evening I had the privilege of offering the Commencement Address for the 2009 Graduating Class of Xavier High School in Appleton. Surprisingly enough, I knew a decent number of graduates given some of them were either sons or daughters of my college classmates (wow!) or they are brothers and sisters of current Saint Norbert students. This address would also give me the opportunity to thank Xavier for sending so many good young people to SNC. It seems as though Xavier's annual loss is often St. Norbert's gain.

Before becoming pastor, I often had the privilege to celebrate Mass for the ACES Xavier Community -- that is, six years ago now. It has been wonderful to reconnect with fantastic people like System President Tony Abts, Principal Matt Reynebeau and Campus Minister Sarah Simon -- all extraordinarily good people. It would also be an unexpected opportunity for me to rub elbows with very good men like powerhouse-pastors and friends Fathers Jerry Foley, Dennis Ryan, Tom Farrell, Mike O'Rourke and Don Zuleger, to name a few.

Last year I was privileged to give the address at Wisconsin Rapids Assumption High School. At that event, I met a few students who would eventually become Green Knights. Those young folks have been a great shot in the arm for us at Old Saint Joe's; I hope and suspect the Xavier Hawks will be just as present at the college church as are the Assumption Royals. In fact, a few of the Hawks already worship at the 7 PM Mass -- together with their parents and siblings. So from my point of view, St. Francis Xavier can keep pointing north -- directing the Appleton students to Saint Norbert College where the Hawks are in our midst; let's continue to "Give them a shepherd's care!"