Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26:
On January 8, 2025, the Kellenberg family came together in prayer for this year’s first XLT. But this XLT wasn’t any ordinary New Year XLT, it was the first XLT of the Jubilee Year, the Year of Hope. This XLT was extra special to all who came together to celebrate the beginning of what is expected to be a wonderful year.
Kellenberg hosts monthly XLTs which begin with a communal dinner and is followed by an hour of adoration. Every month XLT has a different Kellenberg speaker, and this month attendees were lucky enough to have Kellenberg’s principal, Brother Kenneth Hoagland, S.M., speak.
His speech focused on the fact that 2025 is a Jubilee Year. Bro. Ken explained that with a Jubilee Year doors become open to all of us, the first door being Jesus Himself. He explained how Jesus wants us to come to him and take a step through the door of faith.
Continuing, Bro. Ken transitioned to the second door, explained in the Book of Revelations. With this door, Jesus is knocking on it, but it is up to us whether or not to answer. This image inspired a quote by St. Augustin, “The same God who created you without you cannot save you without you.” Bro. Ken ended his portion with a call to answer the door. He invited everyone to make the decision to answer the knocking at the door and grow closer to Jesus.
Bro. Ken loves attending monthly XLTs, and said, “XLT is one of the most outstanding opportunities available to our students, to grow in their love for Jesus Christ and the Eucharist. It’s always so edifying to see the student response to XLT every month.”
Students look forward to XLT just as much as teachers. Junior Kristen Gomez shares, “I really enjoy not only hanging out with my friends but also being able to go to Adoration with them.”
Don’t forget to join Kellenberg for adoration every month on Wednesdays from 6-8.
