These days, Sister Mary Xavier speaks softly as caregiver to the elder Sisters at Villa Clare.
Jeanne in 1987
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A Soft-Spoken Voice Still Echoes
jeanne madej | st. francis academy (bethlehem) 1987
Our alumnae to honor members of the School Sisters of St. Francis who touched their lives back then
and who they consider to have been especially influential in who they are now.
THEN
“Sister Xavier was the principal of St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem, Pa. (SFA), where I was part of the last graduating class in 1987. Throughout my life, I have looked back upon my days at SFA with fondness for the special place it was. Sister Xavier was the matriarch of that special academy. She always treated the girls with love and respect and taught us that sometimes speaking more quietly rather than yelling louder over the noise around — and there was a lot at an all-girls school — is the most effective way to be heard. I can still picture her saying, “Girls, girls, girls” in ever-quieter tones to get our attention amid the chaos.
Although I have not always been able to remember that lesson in moments when I most need it, I do often reflect on how much more effective I might have been had I employed her lessons. I am still influenced by her kind manner, calm demeanor and love 34 years after having graduated. What a gift!”
now
Retired from a career in finance, Jeanne lives in New York City with her husband and two children, ages 15 and 12. Sister Mary Xavier went on to serve at general minister of the Sisters’ international congregation, as well as in other ministerial roles. These days she is back on the old SFA campus, caring for the elder Sisters at Villa Clare.
Jeanne as an SFA cheerleader
Sister Mary Xavier remains quiet among the chaos of an SFA day
