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Xavier High SchoolNews2

The XpressBi-weeklyXavier High School 6300 42nd St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52411Volume 14 Issue 13

On April 11, Xavier High School hosted its third annual Grandparents Day Mass. Grandparents were invited to attend a light breakfast and social. This was followed by a welcome from Mr. Goldsmith, who talked about the Xavier experience from the perspective of a teacher, and from Father Thompson, who discussed the importance grandparents have as faith role models for their grandchildren. Then the grandparents and the students attended Mass with the rest of the school in the gym.

In 2010, when the first Grandparents Day Mass beganwas held about 100 grandparents attended the Mass. Last year, over 300 grandparents joined their grandchildren at Xavier, and this year was no different with around 300.

The idea for Grandparents Day Mass came from seeing that other schools like Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa and elementary schools received great responses from similar activities.

Grandparents financially support Xavier and are important faith role models for their grandkids. "Unlike parents, who can be here all the time, grandparents can't come to give opinions, to ask questions, and to learn," Jody Ruff, of the Xavier Foundation, said. "Celebrating Mass together is a great experience."

Xavier has gotten a great response since starting the annual Grandparents Day Mass. "The grandparents love it, they always get very excited. They are grinning ear-

Xavier celebrates grandparents

to-ear," Ruff said. This year, there was a drawing

for a couple of copies of a book written by Lorrenne Mulherin, who wrote Grandma Mulherin's Book of Blessings. Mulherin wanted to encourage other grandparents to write down their stories to share with their children and grandchildren. Freshman Julie Woods’ grandparents, Mike and Jo Ann Woods, of Coggon Iowa,

attended Xavier’s Grandparents Day Mass for the first time. “They had only ever been to Xavier twice before so they wanted to get more involved in our lives,” Woods said. “They both enjoyed how enthusiastic all of the students were. They enjoyed it so much that I am practically positive that they will come again.”

Top Left: Senior Collin Neuhaus and his grandmother enjoy Grandparent’s Day.Bottom Left: Junior Meagan Hoffman and her grandparents take a picture during Grand-parent’s Day. Sammi Shepherd Photos

Carolina VonKampenNews Writer

Top Right: Junior Michaela Pow-ell and her grandmother pose for a picture.Bottom Right: Junior Reggie Schulte and his grandmother stand for a photo after the Grandparents Day Mass. Sammi Shepherd Photos