2003 Vol.73, No. 3 Xavierite

              Inside
THIS ISSUE
SAB
activities
begin
Page 3
Johnny
Cash
1932-2003
Page 8
Cougars
lose to
Wisconsin
Page 16
NEWS
FEATURES
SPORTS
Saint Xavier Accepts The "Challenge to Unity"
By Becky Hicks
Deputy News Editor
"I don't seem to have the answers, I'm looking, forI don't seem to have the words to
say,when I want to smile but I just have to
cry when I want to laugh, but I just have to
ask God why We see a Nation who's lost its
way, so we get down on our knees and pray
for the people who aren't coming home, and
for those who have to walk life alone"
- Joel Slater
A Residential Life RA, Tiffany Richardson
started off the ceremony, "As we gather tonight, we ask that you open your hearts and
minds in reflection and prayer. On September 11, 2001, our country went through
something that united us for a moment as a
nation, as a family, and as America. Tonight
we, the department of Residential Life, challenge you to unity.
"We challenge you tonight to unite, not just
tonight, but for the rest of our years at Saint
Xavier University. We challenge you when
you leave to promote unity everywhere you
go. The lives lost on September 11 should
keep us together, for they are watching over
us. praying for us, and hoping we become
one nation under God.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said, every
student on their feet, their hand on their
Students reflect at 9/11 Memorial (Photo courtesy of the Xavierite)
chest, and loudly with pride began, "I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United States
of America..."
Robin DaSilva then asked the students and
faculty to remain standing as she sang "My
Country 'Tis of Thee." The lit candles flickered in the night, and the crowd began to
lightly sing along, as if praying through already written prose.
"What I encourage everybody to think about
now, what I've been thinking about the past
couple days as we have been coming towards this, is that what have we taken from
this, how are we going to represent those
people that we have known that are gone
now? Are we going to represent them in
mourning and sorrow? From the ashes we
rise new life, something new needs to grow
in place of this," Stephanie Wright said.
Wright then sang a haunting rendition of The
National Anthem that silenced the crowd
and sent chills down their backs..
Then members of the Residential Life staff
came up to the microphone and read statements like "In the mists of hunger and war,
oppression and tyranny, doubt and despair,
fear and betrayal, you will celebrate the
promise of service and freedom, faith and
compassion, joy and loyalty," asking the
crowd to respond to their challenge with "I
accept the challenge."
The students and faculty were then asked to
place their lit candles on the steps in front
of the Mary statue.
When they walked back to their spots, everyone held hands and reflected in silence
before a group of students sang, "I pray for
you, you pray for me, I love you, I need you
to survive. I won't harm you with words
from my mouth, I love you, I need you to
survive."
Mark DeMott closed the ceremony with his
reflection of the evening and a closing
prayer. "We might be inspired by those who
were so courageous two years ago on this
day, that we might truly have the courage
not to just be a nation united, but to truly be
a world united. To truly be united as the
people that God has created us to be."
Mercy Week Kicks-Off Next Week At SXU
By Christina Cucci	
Contributor
September 24th is Saint Xavier University's
annual Mercy Day, only many people may
not know that the university devotes an entire week to celebrating Mercy Week.
First and foremost, this day is mainly attributed to mark the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy
and honor Her; Mary, Mother of God, under that title. It is further the Anniversary
of Sisters of Mercy founder, Catherine
McAuley's opening of the first House of
Mercy in Dublin, Ireland in 1827. In 1846,
it was Mother Frances Xavier Warde, who
led a group of five sisters to Chicago where
they opened Saint Xavier Academy, and
began nursing the sick and those who could
not afford health care.
In a passage entitled, "A Vision Of Our
Catholic Identity" found in the SXU Handbook, Mercy is regarded not only as an act
of physical aid, but also as an act of love
and consideration for individuals less fortunate and for one another, in general, as
God's children on earth; "As a Catholic
university of the Sisters of Mercy of the
America, Saint Xavier shares in the commitment to as in solidarity with the economically poor of the world, especially women
and children. The commitment to Mercy
means that we all care that all our students
develop a voice in the conversation of the
contemporary world, that we care that they
achieve competence and pursue excellence
in the arts and sciences, and that they infuse
personal and professional practice with the
spirit of liberal learning. The hospitality and
compassion which marked the work of
Catherine McAuley should be reflected in
the life of the University community, the
character of its education, and in its many
services to the community."
Sister Mary Loftus, an RSM for Mercy Care
at Saint Xavier, seemed to deem this message true when she explained, "People attend SXU for a solid education. They're
here for a liberal arts education or to get a
good preparation for their profession, but
because this is a school sponsored by the
Sisters of Mercy, all our challenged to give
their energy and gifts to extend God's mercy
to the world."
While speaking with Sister Mary Loftus at
length, she told of the various events that
would take place during Mercy Week (Sept.
23-25), but further indicated that most would
be intended for faculty and staff only.
The outset event will be hosted at the year's
first Public Discourse which will take place
on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
in the "Back Room" of Gilhooley's Grande
Saloon. On Wednesday, Sept. 24th, Mercy
Day itself, faculty and staff will be provided
with breakfast and a lecture on Mercy Tra-
Sean Gross colors with Service Club (Photo courtesy of Sisters of Mercy)
ditions from 7:15-8:30 p.m. in SXU's
Bishop Quarter Room. Finally, on Thursday, Sept. 25th from noon to 1:15 p.m.
SXU's Main Reception Room will host a
Luncheon and lecture on Mercy Traditions.
Sister Mary Loftus expressed how she
would like to see more events for students
to attend during Mercy Week in the future.
Still, on Wednesday all are invited to the
McDonough Chapel for Liturgy at noon and
a Prayer Service at 2:00 p.m. Prayer cards
are available for all in the Diner.
When understanding the Mercy Tradition in
the SXU community, the main question
posed is where or how is the Mercy evident
at SXU and where is it lacking? Jon-Pierre
Bradley, a 2nd-year student at SXU explained what the University might do to
enhance our Mercy identity; "the SXU community is so closely-knit and there is so
much friendship here, it makes it almost impossible not to want to show Mercy to one
another. From the tutoring programs offered, to the teachers and students themselves I feel that Saint Xavier creates a very
positive atmosphere which makes showing
and obtaining Mercy that much more accessible."
"Mercy" Continued on Page 3