John Thornburg
Headmaster
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Dear Families,
Happy New Year!
In the fall, I traded my 2004 Toyota Tundra for a newer, more reliable vehicle. Although the old truck still made the daily commute to MC, I could tell that it was beginning to struggle. The new vehicle came equipped with updated technology (even though I did really miss the truck's cassette tape player.) With the technological advancements, such as a camera that helped me back up and a hatch that opened with the push of a button on the key fob, I quickly forgot about old truck and transitioned into driving the updated vehicle.
One rainy morning, my wife informed me that the back hatch was raised. Unfortunately, I was not accustomed to the new bells and whistles and had inadvertently hit the hatch button on the key fob before going to bed the night before. This resulted in a dead battery! No problem. I figured that I would simply use my wife's car to jump the new vehicle.
I ran out into the rain while my wife watched from inside. I connected jumper cables to both cars and pushed the start button, but nothing happened. I tried again and still, the vehicle did not turn over. Frustrated, I drove the other car to school.
That night, I called a neighbor to help. Together, we spent thirty minutes trying to get the car to start to no avail. I thanked my neighbor and then went inside to search the Internet for a solution. After an hour of surfing, I still could not find an answer. My new vehicle sat in the driveway, dead.
My wife recommended I call a road service to help. I resisted her suggestion for a day because it hurt my pride to admit that I needed help. However, I finally made the call. A young man in disheveled overalls showed up at my door. I was not impressed with his appearance, but he walked over to my car, hooked up his cables and the car immediately turned over and started. I was astounded.
I reflected on what had just happened. My best efforts had failed to provide my car with the power it needed. My faith rested in my ability to supply the power, but I needed to reach out to right person with different abilities to help solve my crisis.
It made me think about how often this situation was mirrored in my spiritual life. How often did I try to do things on my own and get frustrated by the results instead of calling on Him who has the ability and power to provide the answers we seek. Our Lord Jesus Christ "is not a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses..." (Hebrews 4:15). He understands and is "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46). Just like the young road service guy, Christ says, "I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..." (Revelation 3:20).
May we all remember the strength and power Christ provides as we enter the New Year.
John K. Thornburg
P.S. I hope you had a wonderful break and are ready to return to school this week. As a reminder, Monday, January 3, will be a COVID-19 testing day (no classes). Please refer to the schedule below.
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Monday, January 3
Day 4
No classes - but work will be assigned by teachers
Required COVID-19 Testing for all Students, Faculty and Staff - Gym - see schedule below
Tuesday, January 4
Day 5
Wednesday, January 5
Day 6
Thursday, January 6
Day 7
Friday, January 7
Day 1
Praying of the Rosary - 7:30 AM
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Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Tara Mancini - Controller |
Dear Malden Catholic Community,
I am excited to have joined Malden Catholic as the Controller. After graduating from Suffolk University in 2003, I spent seven years with East Boston Savings Bank as the Accounting Supervisor. More recently, I’ve spent the past eleven years as the Accounting Manager for Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides in-home services to older adults and adults living with disabilities.
I currently reside in Peabody with my husband Joe (MC '00), our son Jake and our daughter Maddie. We also have an energetic boxer puppy, Jax, who keeps us all entertained.
Being part of an organization that puts great emphasis on community, family and faith is important to me. Having my husband a Malden Catholic alumnus made the transition into the school even more meaningful. I look forward to growing professionally in the finance department at Malden Catholic and bringing my skills and past experience to my new position.
I look forward to being a part of the Malden Catholic community for many years to come.
Mrs. Tara Mancini
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No Classes on Monday, January 3
Please note, classes will NOT meet on Monday, January 3. Teachers will be assigning work for students through LancerLink and/or Google classroom. Students are required to complete all assignments.
Testing Schedule Based on Grades, Homerooms and Divisions
· 8 - 8:45 AM - Faculty and Staff
· 9 - 9:30 AM - Grade 9
· 9:45 - 10:15 AM - Grade 10
· 10:30 -11 AM - Grade 11
· 11:15 - 11:45 AM - Grade 12
Testing will be conducted in the gymnasium and students are to utilize the normal entry procedures - the Boys Division will enter through door #11 and walk to the gymnasium and the Girls Division will enter through door #1 and walk to the gymnasium.
The testing area will be separated by homerooms. Students will be directed to their designated tables, complete the test, wait for results, and then exit the school.
Please arrive during your assigned time. Remember that you must wear a mask that fully covers your nose and mouth, and maintain social distancing of at least three feet.
After the testing, all students will leave the property. Students will NOT be allowed to stay for later practices or games after testing. The school will reopen for co-curricular activities at 2:30 PM.
If a student does not attend our testing initiative, he/she will be required to obtain his/her own COVID-19 test and submit the results to the Nurse’s office before returning to school.
Tested Positive in the Past 3 Months
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 3 months and the Nurse’s office has been notified- YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS TEST. You will most likely still be positive. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 3 months and you have not notified the Nurse’s Office - YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS TEST, but you do need to contact the Nurse’s Office with the information. You need to contact either Nurse Paquette or Nurse Olive at [email protected] or [email protected] .
Please Comply With the Following Prior to Arriving at School
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Take your temperature in the morning. If it is 99.9 or above - STAY HOME
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If you have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days - STAY HOME
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If you or anyone in your home has been ill within the past 14 days with the following symptoms: - Sudden loss of taste or smell, fever, cough, shortness of breath, severe headache or gastrointestinal distress and/or if you or anyone you have been in contact with has these symptoms - STAY HOME
Masks
The proper wearing of masks is extremely important in order to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, faculty, staff and the administration will be enforcing a strict mask policy beginning January 4th. All students are required to wear masks properly which means completely covering the mouth and nose. Students are also responsible for providing their own masks.
Interested in a COVID-19 Vaccination or Booster?
If you are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot, please contact the MC Nurses at [email protected] so that the school can determine the community's interest in a mobile clinic.
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No Cost COVID-19 Testing at MC
The COVID-19 Testing Kiosk located in Malden Catholic's back parking lot will be open from 11 AM - 4:30 PM on Monday, January 3 and from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM on Tuesday - Saturday. You can schedule an appointment through this link: https://cur.tv/malden.
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Coats for Kids and Families - through 1.7 |
Coats for Kids and Families will be collected through January 7. Students are encouraged to bring in gently used coats (for any age) until January 7, 2022. All coats collected will be cleaned by Anton's Cleaners then given to people in need of warm coats during the winter months. Collection boxes will be located in the lobby. This is an ideal time to look in your closet and donate a coat that you no longer wear.
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MC Parent Council - 1.11 at 6 PM |
On January 11 the MC Parent Club will meet at 6 PM in the cafeteria to kick off the new year and discuss information regarding our annual Woman’s Day of Recollection that will be held on Sunday, March 6. Please mark your calendar and join us!
Official Parent Facebook Group
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What's Happening Around MC? |
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School and College Counseling |
Grade 11 Leadership Program
MC's School and College Counseling invited 13 Admissions Counselors from a variety of colleges and universities to facilitate mock admission reviews as part of MC's Grade 11 Leadership Program during the week prior to Christmas break.
Admissions Counselors, including representatives from NEARR (New England Area Regional Representatives) presented sample college applications to Juniors in small groups. The students reviewed the cases and learned about the process and criteria schools use to evaluate candidates.
We would like to thank the following colleges and universities for participating in the event: Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Curry College, Lasell University, Merrimack College, Assumption University, Regis College, Boston University, UMASS Dartmouth, UMASS Boston, Assumption University, Salve Regina University, and Roger Williams University.
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This Christmas, the Malden Catholic Choir, Drama students, A Cappella Singers and the Malden Catholic Dance Company thrilled the audience with an outstanding Christmas Concert performance! The Choir and Drama students performed the Christmas Cantata “The Advent of Hope, The Birth of Peace," the MC A-Cappella Singers performed traditional Christmas favorites such as "Carol of the Bells" and the MC Dance Company showcased choreography to beloved Christmas classics. It was a wonderful evening and we would like to congratulate everyone on a job well done! You can watch the concert through this link.
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La Colaborativa Candy Cane Grams |
This year, students were able to purchase a "Happy Holidays" greeting and candy cane for $1 during lunch periods and nearly five hundred candy cane grams were sold! All proceeds benefit La Colaborativa, an organization that empowers Latinx immigrants to enhance the social/economic health of the community. Candy canes will be distributed to homerooms during the week of January 3. |
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MC Student Council sponsored Christmas Spirit Week and celebrated the last week of school with colorful socks, red, white and/or green shirts and ugly sweaters. We loved seeing everyone's very creative holiday attire! |
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Student Council also sponsored a Homeroom Door Decorating event during the month of December. The students made the Malden Catholic hallways merry and bright with these artistic creations. The Boys Division winner was Room 101 and Girls Division winner was Room 129. Congratulations to all who participated!
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Boys' Division Winner
Room 101
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Girls' Division Winner
Room 129
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International Student Holiday Gathering |
Malden Catholic international students who are from The People's Republic of China, South Korea, Vietnam, Europe, Brazil and Russia gathered in the courtyard together before break in the courtyard for a fun Christmas celebration.
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We would like to thank the MC Campus Ministry team for a beautiful Holiday Prayer Service! At the event, Malden Catholic presented the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Representative, Catherine Michaud, with over 100 toys from MC's Santa Toy Drive!
Students also received a surprise visit from Santa Claus, who stopped by to wish the entire Malden Catholic student body a very Merry Christmas!
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Top Scoring NE Math League |
Congratulations to Courtney Casaletto, Eavan Flood and Huy Le, MC’s top scorers in the November New England Mathematics League contest. The next Math League contest will be held on Tuesday, January 11th in Room 207 after school. New members are welcome! |
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New Year Reflections
I enjoyed an early Christmas present this year – attending a Boston Ballet performance of The Nutcracker. Proof of vaccination and the wearing of masks were required at The Opera House, and I was wearing one of my Malden Catholic masks. Though I didn’t intend to be advertising, wearing “MALDEN CATHOLIC” across one’s face tends to draw attention. I had one brief, passing hello from someone heading home in opposite direction at an Orange Line station and then two conversations while I strolled through the Opera House hallways before curtain. In each case, I had heard a voice say “Malden Catholic” in a cheerful tone. So, I’d stop and introduce myself. One greeting was from a woman whose husband is an alum, Class of ’91, and whose son is a current MC hockey player. I knew the husband from 30 years ago but had not yet met the son! The other greeting came in form of a question from a woman usher: “Malden Catholic, you guys still good in hockey?” she asked as she handed me my program. “We are,” I said. She continued, “I’m from South Boston, and we used to play you guys back in the 80s. Great school!” “It is!” I smiled.
These encounters got me thinking about the passage of time. As we start a new year, we often do pay attention to the mysteries of time’s passing in our lives. If I were to ask one of my students today, “In 30 years?” I wonder what they would say. Probably, “God only knows!” And they’d be right!
The Catholic celebration of The Epiphany, known to some of us as “Little Christmas,” when the three Magi arrive to pay homage to baby Jesus, invites a similar question. Whom will this little baby become? The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” or “appearance.” The adoration of the Magi – sometimes described as wise men, or kings, or philosophers from far-away places – signals that Jesus is already “manifesting” his divinity in a way that intends to draw people from all corners of the world. It’s curious how, within several weeks of Christmas, the Gospels jump some 30 years – from Bethlehem to the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River and to the wedding feast at Cana. The post-Christmas Epiphany season unites these three events when the divinity of Jesus first “appears” through his humanity, and Jesus manifests himself as Son of God. We know almost nothing of the intervening 30 years, do we? What ordinary tasks, what daily labors, what family visits and recreations filled his days?
As our MC students return to school this week, there’s the excitement of New Year beginnings, the youthful promise of unknown tomorrows, a new semester poised in readiness, college acceptances to celebrate, homework to be done, tests to be taken, athletic contests to battle, charitable services awaiting volunteers, relationships to build, life-lessons to learn. The ordinary, yes, ….. but, oh how extraordinary! Each new day invites transformation and growth! Whom will our students be in 30 years? How do their actions today shape their tomorrow? How will they “manifest” the divine in them? It’s all Mystery – of God’s unfolding plan. Our prayer is that Malden Catholic set them on good pathways. The glory of Christmas is that God is among us… divinity has touched us and our world. Our Creator blesses each of us with just such a spark of divinity and calls on us to manifest that light to others. May we shine it, and may God grace our New Year with peace, health, and light. Happy New Year from Malden Catholic!
Brother Thomas Puccio, CFX, Ed.D.
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Malden Catholic Leads the Way for Boys’ Basketball |
The Malden Catholic Boys' Basketball team was featured in the Boston Globe for a 77-50 win over Charlestown High School on December 13, 2021. Malden Catholic's K.C. Ugwuakazi and Jahmari Hamilton-Brown led the way with 19 points each. Way to go Lancers!
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Christie Serino Christmas Classic |
As part of the annual tradition, The Malden Catholic community honored the late Mr. Christie Serino Jr. at the Christie Serino Christmas Classic on Monday, December 27th. We welcomed members of the Serino family who joined us for the puck drop, and tournament participants included MC, Austin Prep, St. Mary's High School and Franklin High School.
Chris Serino was the Athletic Director and Head Hockey Coach at MC when he passed away in October of 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Coach Serino’s determination, commitment and love of the game made the Malden Catholic hockey program one of the best in New England. The Malden Catholic community and hockey world will be forever grateful to Coach Serino.
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Monday, January 3
TBA Girls Varsity Indoor Track
Tuesday, January 4
3:30 PM Girls Freshman Basketball St. Mary’s Jr/Sr High School-Lynn
4:00 PM Boys Varsity Indoor Track @ Tri-County Invitational
6:00 PM Girls Varsity Ice Hockey @ Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover
Wednesday, January 5
CANCELLED 4:00 PM Boys Freshman Basketball @ Charlestown High School
3:30 PM Girls Freshman Basketball Home vs Georgetown MS/HS
4/5:30 PM Boys JV and Varsity Basketball Charlestown High School
5/6:30 PM Girls JV and Varsity Basketball Home vs Georgetown MS/HS
6:00 PM Boys Varsity Wrestling @ Xaverian Brothers High School
Thursday, January 6
3:15 PM Boys Varsity Swimming Home vs Catholic Memorial School
7:00 PM Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Home vs Boston Latin Academy Boston Latin Academy/Fontbonne
Friday, January 7
4:50 PM Boys Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Home vs Catholic Memorial School
Saturday, January 8
9:20 AM Boys Freshman Ice Hockey Home vs Austin Preparatory School
10:00 AM Boys Varsity Indoor Track @ Auerbach Freshman/Sophomore Meet
10:00 AM Boys Varsity Wrestling Home Quad Meet 9:00/10:00 AM MC, Roxbury Latin, Wilmington, and Peabody/Saugus (9 AM Weigh-In)
10:30 AM Boys Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Home vs St. John's High School
11:40 AM Girls Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Brookline High School Home
Sunday, January 9
10:30 AM Girls Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Home vs Martha's Vineyard Reg High
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