Thanksgiving Mass Celebration

Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 16th was a busy day on campus. Native American representatives performed ceremonial dance and songs, our food drive successfully concluded, and two students were recognized for their exemplary behavior.

Saint Pius X’s Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated jointly with representatives of the Native American Community Academy, the Santo Domingo Pueblo, the Native American Student Club, and with performances of the Zuni Pueblo. Their cultural displays underlined the diversity of our community, and that of the Native American students on campus. Though, the collaboration had another purpose, a food drive to benefit an emergency shelter.

Donations went to support the Barrett House, an emergency shelter that serves more than 300 homeless women and children each year. The shelter provides an average of 43,800 meals, 14,600 bed nights, and over 1,000 hours of case management a year. By the end of their stay, 85 percent leave with a job, an apartment, and an independent life. The goal of ten truckloads of food was in question near the deadline of Nov. 16th, but once again the SPX community came together, reached its goal, and surpassed it. Twelve truckloads of food were delivered to the Barrett House.

The celebrant of mass was also a special guest, Father Sean Garrity, class of 1976. “We offer you our deepest praise for these gifts of food that through your hands our students have brought here today. Bless us and this food which we share with grateful hearts with the less fortunate of our city,” said Garrity.

Following mass, two students were given special recognition. First, the Saint Pius X Hero Award was announced. It was created to award those who display courage and selflessness, both of which Domonique Sandoval, senior, exemplifies. Sandoval displayed these characteristics by saving the life of her younger brother who was bitten by two rattlesnakes. Alone with her brother while on a family picnic, she administered emergency first aid, carried him to the roadside, and waved down a car that took them back to their family. Thanks to Sandoval, her younger brother is alive today.

Next, the Albuquerque Football Officials Association, consisting of 115 statewide officials, recognized Noah Lucero, senior, for his sportsmanship, community engagement, and academics. The association took nominations from throughout the thousands of players they officiate, narrowed down possible recipients through interviews of teachers, administrators, and coaches, and then selected Lucero to award their 2017 Outstanding Sportsmanship Award and $500 scholarship.

Our students live up to the gospel teaching: "To those who have been given much, much is expected." (Luke 12:48)