Unbeknownst to most, events such as Kairos, Community of Faith, all-school Mass and prayer days require significant effort and planning. Those behind it are the campus ministry: Kaiti-Lynn Beazley, Sister Yolanda Mendoza, Noah Minton, Danielle Lambert and Father Elario Zambakari.
“The campus ministry is in charge of the school’s spirituality,” Zambakari said.
One important point to note is that Xavier’s theology department and Xavier’s campus ministry are two separate entities.
“Usually, we’ll meet with me, Mrs. Lambert, and Mr. Minton to talk about how the Masses are going to go, and other things like that,” Beazley said.
Although several members of the campus ministry are also theology teachers, they allow for the intense planning required for Xavier’s liturgical events to occur during break, lunch and after school.
“A lot of the day-to-day is kind of behind-the-scenes planning work,” Minton said. “I’ll spend some time during my off-period, as well, trying to write the afternoon prayers.”
On actual Mass days, however, things look a bit different.
“The night before an all-school Mass, usually we’ll come at 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. and set up for Mass,” Beazley said. “Mr. Minton, in the morning of Mass, comes in around 7:00 a.m. and gets everybody prepared.”
Events such as these exemplify Xavier’s Catholic traditions and help Xavier women grow in their Catholic faith.
“We have seen girls who have come in as freshwomen,” Zambakari said, “and by the time they are seniors, they have completely changed. They have started a relationship with God.”
Minton elaborated on this idea, claiming that it not only grew the girls closer to God, but him, as well.
“I’m around students who love the Lord; I’m around teachers who love the Lord; and, here at a Catholic school, I’m just around the Lord a lot,” Minton said.
It is for this very same reason that the Xavier community continues to grow stronger day-by-day.
“You are who you spend your time with. Your community dictates who you become,” Minton said.
