As Thomas Campbell once said, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

On Friday, November 20, Xavier High School celebrated their annual Thanksgiving/Memorial Mass. This event honored those who have passed in the Regis, LaSalle and Xavier communities while giving thanks to the blessings  within the Xavier community. 

This Mass paid tribute to the people who had passed and their families. During the Mass, a slideshow played with the names of the deceased to honor and pay tribute to them. 

One family in particular tells of the importance of this event to them. Their late daughter, Mary Breitbach, was a student of the class of 1979 at Regis High School. 

“It gives us a great way to remember what all the benefactors, alumni and staff who have gone before have meant to Xavier High School and all of Catholic education,” Kitty Breitbach, mother of the late Mary Breitbach, said. “Mary was always a great supporter of Catholic education and loved her experience at Xavier High School. With all the restrictions on our activities this year, it is a blessing to be able to keep this tradition alive in the best way that we can.”

Additionally, this event gives the student body and staff of Xavier High School an opportunity to give thanks for their blessings around Thanksgiving time. 

Usually, this event is held in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium and the doors are opened to other members of the Xavier community outside the student body and faculty to partake in. However, this year, the format of the Mass changed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

“For the Thanksgiving/Memorial Mass, we live streamed to the entire school during house time,” Xavier’s Campus Ministry Director Jody Esker said. “The livestream was available for people in our Xavier community who were outside the building. This was a great way to unite in prayer.” 

Give thanks and rejoice for what God has given and remember the angels from the community who have joined God above.