SXU to Host 2019 Mission Day on March 27
Each spring, Saint Xavier University (SXU) celebrates Mission Day, a University-wide observance focused on the closing phrases of the University Mission Statement. It is the call to educated persons to "serve wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good."
Mission Day spotlights the University's core values of service, excellence, hospitality and integrity through the presentation of three service awards to individuals who exemplify these fundamental tenets of the SXU community. These annual awards include the Saint Xavier University Award for a faculty member, the Sister Isidore Perrigo, R.S.M. Award for a staff member and the Mother Paulita Morris, R.S.M. Award for a student. Award recipients are selected by committees of their peers from nominations submitted by members of the University community. The annual awards presentation ceremony, attended by family members and guests of the recipients as well as members from across the SXU community, is the centerpiece of each Mission Day and is followed by a reception.
Coordinated by the Office for Mission and Heritage, Mission Day complements another University tradition, Spirit of Mercy Day in September. Both of these annual events enrich the University community by attending to the essentials of SXU's Catholic identity, Mercy heritage and educational mission.
This year's Mission Day will also be marked by the re-dedication of the Mercy Heritage Walk. Opened in 2000, the Mercy Ministry Center and McDonough Chapel have been central to Saint Xavier University life for 19 years. In the last two decades, the walk has deteriorated and the etched names of Sisters of Mercy who have served at SXU since its move to the 103rd Street campus in 1956 have become completely unrecognizable. In an effort to continue to honor the original donors to the Mercy Heritage Walk and to restore and expand the walkway, a new design has been created. Inlaid in the walkway will be large granite pieces that will include an engraved Mercy Cross followed by the University's founder, Mother Frances Xavier Warde, as well as the names of the five sisters who established the Sisters of Mercy in Chicago in 1846. All the Sister of Mercy past presidents of the College-University will be inscribed along with the engraved statement: Dedicated in grateful appreciation to all the Sisters of Mercy who served at this campus. The renovated Mercy Heritage Walk attests to Saint Xavier's strong Mercy heritage and SXU's commitment to honoring the enduring legacy of Mercy.
Mission Day will be March 27, 2019. Mass will be held at noon in McDonough Chapel immediately followed by the re-dedication of the Mercy Heritage Walk. The Mission Day Award Ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room. All are encouraged to attend and further share your SXU spirit into the evening by joining friends, peers and community members for the We Are SXU Day Social at Gilhooley's starting at 5 p.m.