Friends,

1440 smiling faces, inquisitive minds, and passionate hearts have returned to the Boulevard! Last Tuesday, Principal Lewis and I had such an incredible time welcoming each boy back to their home away from home. It is always such a pleasure to see each student and share a brief moment of reconnection to hear what they did over the summer and what excites them about this upcoming year. As another school year begins, we are so incredibly grateful to be back on campus together as one entire school community. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and ensure best practices for the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

It is in our Jesuit identity to be present and reflective. We are contemplatives in action, able to react to even the greatest uncertainty because we are grounded in discernment and faith. Our students know this, and our alumni know this. When faced with challenge, we respond with courage.

Our young men experience this every day in the classrooms when they grapple with the many complexities of life. They experience it on the practice fields and stage when they summon forth their greatest effort to perform in their chosen craft. They experience it in serving others when they are called to break down barriers and develop bonds of radical kinship with our brothers and sisters.

This is the meaning of the magis. To not only endure challenge, but to transcend it. And last Friday, when we gathered as one BC High community with our Board of Trustees and hundreds of parents in attendance, we called on the Holy Spirit to aid and sustain us in this mission. We have begun an amazing Ignatian Year that promises to bring growth and renewed companionship to all of our students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, and friends as we work see see all things new in Christ. We can't wait to see what it has in store.

AMDG,

Grace Regan P'12

It was amazing to have our Board of Trustees on campus for Friday's Mass of the Holy Spirit. While here, Trustee Brian Lee '02 caught up with members of the Asian American Pacific Islander Collective (AAPIC). Brian and Trustee Fritz Friedman '68 have been incredibly involved in helping our students to express their identity and foster a positive cultural exchange with other school affinity groups. Together, Fritz and Brian have helped to found the Asian American Alumni Alliance, a national network of alumni who share an Asian heritage and a commitment to furthering BC High's Ignatian mission.

On Friday, Rev. Michael McFarland, SJ, Chair of the Board of Trustees, celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition in all Jesuit schools worldwide since 1548! We welcomed parents and guardians back to campus, blessed our new faculty, staff, and Board members, and in a beautiful outdoor Mass, Fr. McFarland centered us on the amazing global mission of the Society of Jesus that lives in so many peoples and places from Baghdad to Boston. All of us involved in this work are called to amazing things. We are called to serve, called to heal, and called to bring about God's Kingdom here on Earth. But as Fr. McFarland so aptly summed up, we just have to start by tearing down the walls that divide us.

We hope that the latest issue of BC High Magazine hit your mailboxes this summer and proved to be an enjoyable read wherever the season may have taken you! Inside, you'll find an exciting recap of the year on Morrissey Boulevard, from athletics to alumni events and more.

Importantly, our two feature articles cover stories about the future of our school. On page 4, we are pleased to introduce you to an incredibly diverse and impressive Board of Trustees in-depth, along with information about the school's Strategic Planning process. We were blessed with the opportunity to spend time together in retreat this summer to discern this critical work. On page 10, The Centers of Human Excellence are detailed, with insight into new programming and opportunities that will change the BC High experience.

*Editor's Note: Due to a database error, Richard Golden '88 RIP was not reflected in the In Memoriam list and John McElaney ’76 was listed among the deceased. We regret this error.

You’re invited to Alumni Homecoming & Family Weekend on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

We’ll kick things off with a Varsity Soccer match versus Fordham Prep and follow it up later in the day with a Varsity Football game against Canisius High School in what is sure to be a great day for Jesuit School athletics!

We’ll also be celebrating Grand Reunion for an incredible 18 classes (1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016).

With something for the whole family, we’ll have a Fun Zone including Inflatable Obstacle Courses, Arts and Crafts, Food Trucks, Music, Games, and more.

We are thrilled to welcome many schools from across Massachusetts this weekend for our annual school admission fair. While last year was virtual, we are excited to be hosting the fair in-person and outside. This is a tremendous opportunity for interested families at all stages of the process to meet and talk with representatives from a variety of schools with a wide range of offerings. If you or anyone you know is considering private education, we invite you to join us!

Our Open House programs include current students, alumni, faculty, staff, athletic coaches, and current parents who are eager to share their BC High story with you. For those who are looking for the most comprehensive overview of BC High, this is the event you want to attend. You will be able to tour our campus, learn about our academic and advising programs, our Centers for Human Excellence, and the many co-curricular opportunities available. Enrollment and financial aid questions will also be addressed.

Congratulations to the following list of inductees who will soon be enshrined in BC High history for their accomplishments in the Maroon & Gold - as well as our Hunter Man for Others and Cotter Courage Award recipients, who will be honored for the incredible community contributions. I look forward to celebrating with you in November!

Rev. John Predmore, SJ is offering a variety of programs for alumni, families, and friends in the BC High community. The first, a book review of Fr. John O’Malley, SJ’s book, “What Happened at Vatican II" is held on Zoom every Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. EDT.  

"What Happened at Vatican II captures the drama of the council, depicting the colorful characters involved and their clashes with one another. The book also offers a new set of interpretive categories for understanding the council’s dynamics―categories that move beyond the tired “progressive” and “conservative” labels. As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of the calling of the council, this work reveals in a new way the spirit of Vatican II. A reliable, even-handed introduction to the council, the book is a critical resource for understanding the Catholic church today, including the pontificate of Benedict XVI."

Passcode: 866898

 

Fr. Predmore's second program is a class called "Compassionate Communications in times of Difficult Conversations" held the first and third Wednesdays of Fall 2021 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.

 

This Wednesday online evening series uses Zoom to teach us how to keep ourselves balanced in the midst of difficult conversations. These conversations are ones in which we experience a power imbalance, negotiate and set boundaries, and deal with someone else’s anger. We will review deep-breathing techniques to listen meaningfully and to develop understanding. We will learn how to use right speech to sustain a fragile relationship.

 

Following a brief presentation, we will enter break-out rooms to interact with other participants about the materials presented. 

 

The presentations will last 50 minutes, and a time for questions and comments will follow. No artistic ability is needed for creativity assignments.

 

Your Eagles are back on the field! In a first week of highlights, Head Football Coach Ed Mantie's tenure began with a hard-fought game against King Phillip, Varsity Soccer notched a 3-1 season opener win vs. Central Catholic, and Cross Country took 1st, 12th, and 13th places in the 3x1.5 relay at Highland Park - the only school with 3 teams in top 15. Click here for a great post-race interview of the winning team. 

Be sure to follow BC High Athletics on Twitter, and visit our website to stay updated on schedules, scores, and more.