John Thornburg
Headmaster
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Dear Families,
My oldest son is a better-than-average distance runner. Even as a young boy, his friends could not keep up with him. He loved to run and one day mapped out a half-mile loop by our house to race his friends. We planned a “race day” and invited about six of his friends to come over and participate on a Saturday afternoon. Each time a friend arrived, my son would run the course to show them where it went. By the time the last friend arrived he had run close to three miles to show his friends the course. By the time the actual race occurred, my son was so tired he finished in last place. He was simply worn out.
I will always remember the expression on his face as he crossed the finish line...it was a look of frustration and bewilderment. I walked over to speak with my son, and he did his best not to cry. I comforted him the best I could. He had always beat his friends in long races and he found his loss difficult to comprehend. I explained to him that every time he ran the course, he used up a portion of his energy and there was simply not enough left for him to run his best race.
It is very difficult when we find ourselves worn out and feeling like we are out of energy - especially when we need it the most. Like the process used by manufacturers to plan production, we too have a finite capacity. In good faith especially when we need it the most. In good faith we need to judiciously decide where and how we spend our time and effort so that we can run the "right" race. I think of my son’s experience as it relates to the words of Christ from Hebrews 12:1 when He says, “… since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” It is important we always focus our energy on the things that matter the most.
My son's experience allows us to reflect upon our daily “race.” Are we saving enough time and energy for those things that really matter or are we ending the day with the same feeling my son had after he lost? In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are told, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
May we all trust in our Lord to guide us on our daily course.
As always, thank you for your support,
John K. Thornburg
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Monday, November 8
Day 7
COVID-19 Testing in the Gym - 7:00 AM
Canned Food Drive
Tuesday, November 9
Day 1
Wednesday, November 10
Day 2
Report Cards Emailed
Parent Teacher Conferences - 3 - 5 PM and 6:30 - 8 PM
Thursday, November 11
Veterans Day - No School
Friday, November 12
Professional Development Day - No School
ALS Walk - 12 - 3 PM
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Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Francis Stanton - Theology Teacher |
Dear Malden Catholic Community,
My name is Francis Stanton and I am joining the MC school community as a Theology teacher and wrestling coach. This will be my ninth year as a teacher, having served as a Theology teacher/campus minister at other schools such as Presentation of Mary Academy and Arlington Catholic.
Immediately prior to joining MC, I took a short break from teaching, accepting an opportunity to assist with fundraising and media outreach for the Harvard Catholic Center in Cambridge. This opportunity took place during the height of the pandemic. I learned a lot in the process and developed many new skills. However, I missed being away from the classroom.
I am thrilled that my life’s journey has landed me here at Malden Catholic; I enjoy taking part in the student's spiritual journey and I would like to use my position as a Theology teacher to further assist in the shaping of their minds and their hearts. In the time I have been at MC, it has become clear that there is a strong and unique commitment among the Malden Catholic administration and faculty to develop scholars as well as saints. I am very much in support of this mission and hope to help students get into Harvard as well as Heaven.
God Bless!
Mr. Stanton
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COVID-19 Update
Our weekly testing identified two positive cases of COVID-19 from extracurricular activities and Halloween parties. These individuals have been notified and close contact tracing has been conducted. As a result, several students have been quarantined.
As the weather grows colder and activities move indoors it is important that families practice the health and safety protocols outlined in our Fall Re-entry Plan.
We are reviewing our academic support process for students who are quarantined, and we expect to have a revised structure as MC enters the 2nd quarter. We are also reviewing our cafeteria protocols and will be revising those as well to provide more space between students during lunch and additional spaces indoors for eating. We plan to communicate any changes next week and implement them the following week.
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Monday Morning Testing for Unvaccinated Students
Malden Catholic will continue to use PCR surveillance testing. Testing opens at 7 AM and students will enter through Door 7 to the gym. Students who arrive after 7:45 AM and have a first period class will be assigned a detention.
No Cost COVID-19 Morning Testing at MC
Testing is available on Mondays from 7 AM - 3 PM, Wednesdays from 9 AM - 5 PM, Thursdays from 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturdays from 8 AM - 4 PM. You can schedule an appointment through this link: https://cur.tv/malden.
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This year, many colleges have elected to visit Malden Catholic in person, along with several schools that will be visiting virtually. We encourage all Grade 11 and Grade 12 students to sign up in advance in Naviance and attend these visits, which will be held at 2:20 PM on the following days:
Quinnipiac University
Monday, November 8 - Room #106
University of Rhode Island
Monday, November 8 - Room #121
Colby-Sawyer College
Tuesday, November 9 - Room #106
Wheaton College
Tuesday, November 9 - Room #121
Manhattanville College
Wednesday, November 10 - Room #106
Trinity College Dublin
Wednesday, November 10 - Room #121
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Hugh O'Brien Leadership Seminar Essay are due on Tuesday - 11.9 |
The 2022 MA HOBY (Massachusetts Hugh O’Brien Leadership Seminar) will be held in person at Bentley University on June 10-12, 2022. Four seats are currently available for Grade 10 students (2 for boys and 2 for girls) to represent Malden Catholic at the event.
To apply, please write a 500 word essay on the following topic: "Describe the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being a leader at Malden Catholic and the community." Essays are due to the School Counseling office by Tuesday, November 9. They can be brought to Mrs. DelGenio’s office or emailed to her at [email protected].
The winners will be selected by the School Counseling Office and the Administration. Students will be notified on November 12th. Please apply only if you can commit to attending on the June 10-12 dates.
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Student/Parent Handbook Signature Required - 11.10 |
Malden Catholic's Parent/Student Handbook is on the MC website. All parents and students are required to read the document and complete the signature form that was distributed to students on Friday in homeroom. The form must be signed by both a parent and the MC student to confirm that they have read and understand the MC Handbook terms.
The signed form must be returned to homeroom teachers by November 10. The Handbook can be found through this link: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1634752744/malden/soqriiwzawqvdn13jmjv/MCHandbook20212022.pdf
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Parent/Teacher Conferences - 11.10 |
Malden Catholic's Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, November 10th from 3 - 5 PM and from 6:30 - 8 PM. English, World Languages and Human Performance teachers will be in the cafeteria. STE, Theology, Social Studies, Math, Arts and Music teachers will be in the gym. Conferences will be approximately 5-minutes. Parents who need additional time should schedule an appointment for a private teacher conference.
The following guidelines apply:
- Sign-up is not required.
- Only one parent may attend. We need to minimize the number of guests in the building.
- Students may not attend.
- All parents who attend must wear a mask.
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If you feel ill, please do not attend. You may schedule a private teacher conference.
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ALS/MS Walk for Living - 11.12 from 12 -3 PM |
The ALS - MS Walk for Living supports The Leonard Florence Center in Chelsea and the MC ALS - MS Walk for Living will take place this Friday, November 12, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on the track of Brother Gilbert Stadium. Students can still register online for $15 with the “Malden Catholic” Team. Please make sure your name is visible on Team fundraising page. Adult registration is $20. Brother Thomas Puccio is listed as MC Team captain. Every dollar raised goes directly to support the financial needs of the Center, which provides 24/7 care for those living with ALS or Multiple Sclerosis. As an added incentive, students will receive one (1) Christian Service hour for each hour they walk the track.
ALS has touched the lives of many in our Malden Catholic community. This summer we mourned the death of Tim Paquette ’07, son of Nurse Elizabeth Paquette and Swim Coach Rick Paquette. Some of you may have seen recent media spots on Chris Snow (MC ’99), bravely living through his several-year ALS diagnosis as normally as possible with family. Xaverian Brother Joseph Comber, recently deceased, lived his last three years at the Leonard Florence Center, with the care of Brother Timothy Hoey, former MC Social Studies Chair. Through this Walk we honor Tim, Chris, Brother Joe and their companions Every single dollar raised goes directly back to patient care and programs for the ALS and MS residents at Leonard Florence.
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COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Van at MC - 11.15 |
To provide the greatest possible protection for our community, the MGH/Brigham Mobile Vaccination Van will be parked adjacent to the tent at Malden Catholic for COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots on November 15. Both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters doses will be available. Individuals who have received a Moderna vaccine may receive a Pfizer booster after 6+ months.
Please email Nurse Paquette if you are interested in receiving a vaccine or booster at [email protected]. Walk-ups are welcome!
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Make-A-Wish Club Ice Cream Fundraiser - 11.15 |
We are delighted to announce that Malden Catholic's Make-A-Wish Club will begin fundraising for the next 2021/2022 wish by selling Philip R's Ice Cream Bon Bons for $15. To place an order, please use this link: https://www.icecream-desserts.com/contact/
Orders are due by Monday, November 15th and pickup will be on Friday, November 19th at 2:15 PM in the back parking lot. All orders must be prepaid via Venmo to Philip Rotondo - @PhilipRs. If you have any questions, please contact Philip Rotondo at [email protected].
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Photo Retake Day and Senior Portraits - Rescheduled for 11.17
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Students in Grades 9 - 12 who did not get a photo for their ID cards or would like to retake their photos will be able to do so on Wednesday, November 17 at 8 AM. If your son or daughter would like to have their photo taken, please email Mrs. Andrea Tracey at [email protected] by Monday, November 15. Students must receive permission from a parent/guardian to retake their picture.
For anyone who has not yet taken a Senior portrait, please sign up for a time through this link:
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Bread of Life Food Drive - 11.22 |
Malden Catholic is once again supporting the excellent work provided by Bread of Life, a faith-based ministry serving the communities north of Boston. Beginning Wednesday, November 3 and running through November 22nd, MC will collect non-perishable food items to help support Bread of Life's mission to "to feed the body and nurture the soul." Please leave your donation in one of the boxes near the reception desk. |
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What's Happening Around MC? |
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The Malden Catholic Daily Announcements are shared with students in homeroom each day as an informative reminder regarding clubs, student activities and daily events. We have now included the Daily Announcements on the navigation bar of the Malden Catholic website so that parents and students will have access to the content that is shared each day in school.
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Malden Catholic students are required to perform an increasing amount of Christian Service hours each year. Throughout the year, students are asked to record their hours on the Mobile Serve app. We have included a short list of potential organizations for students to contact to volunteer for service opportunities.
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Quest Bridge National College Match Finalist |
Questbridge is a non-profit organization that helps high-achieving students gain admission and scholarships to 45 of the country’s top-ranked colleges. Angie Mejia ’22 was named a National College Match Finalist through Quest Bridge.
Questbridge, as well as their college partners, look at many different factors when assessing a student's academics, including grades, class rank, high school courses taken, standardized test scores, writing ability, teacher recommendations, and other markers of talent and motivation. Congratulations to Angie on her outstanding achievement!
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Last Friday students enjoyed an end-of-Quarter break from classes, and faculty and staff trekked up to Endicott College in Beverly to enjoy a reflective pause from the race that the school year becomes once the “starting gun” sounds in late August! More than a pause, though, a Faculty-Staff Retreat is an important grounding in what we are about. It’s a “Mission tune-up”!
Malden Catholic is one of thirteen Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools in the United States. Four others in Massachusetts include St. John’s (Shrewsbury), Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood), St. John’s Preparatory School (Danvers), and Lowell Catholic. While each school has a unique history and mission, we all share in the educational vision of the Xaverian Brothers. We note in our guiding document “Partners in Mission” that from the founding of our first school in Louisville, KY, in 1854, till now, “a Xaverian education emphasized two principal coordinates of Catholic identity: the formation of students in faith and the love of God, and a strong academic program to prepare them to make their contribution to our world. Students in Xaverian schools come to discover God in the ordinary events of their lives, as Xaverian education continues to inspire lives of learning, faith, and service.”
So, how does the mission continue with only 72 Xaverian Brothers in the United States, of average age 78, only 7 still active in school ministry – and 2 of those 7 at MC! By guidance of the Holy Spirit, of course, and a “sponsorship” initiative 40-years in the making, whereby the Brothers invited the laymen and women of their schools to be partners in mission, assuming governance, operations, and programming. We succeed because our faculty and staff, our trustees, our students, and you, our parents, understand the vital role each plays in maintaining the mission. Anchored in that mission, we welcome changing times.
The theme of our retreat, “Embracing Change,” had us focus on the imperative to live as comfortably as possible in a world environment that is volatile, uncertain, ambiguous, and rapidly changing. How does one find opportunity in change? More than an art or a skill, it is a faith response recognizing that through history – in both Old Testament and New – God has called His People to adapt with the challenges of the day. Malden Catholic, we know, has re-invented itself at least twice: once in our move from Highland Avenue to Crystal Street in 1968 and most recently in adopting a successful co-divisional model. No less dramatically, we have been nimble in making the best of our pandemic environment.
Not only on the institutional level though, but also on the personal we need to be at peace in change, to be a steady center with a world spinning around us, to be a stability for our students. We support one another professionally in doing this on days such as our Retreat, reminding ourselves that God is our core, our solid foundation. Our tools, faith, hope, and love, and the Xaverian spiritual values taught at all of our schools: humility, simplicity, compassion, trust, and zeal. So armed, we see God through the students we greet each day and through you and through each other. It’s a beautiful way of seeing the world, isn’t it! We closed our day with Mass, at the end of which we presented all new faculty and staff with a Bible to remind them that as ministers of our MC mission they will find strength and wisdom in God as he speaks to us in Scripture and through one another!
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By Brother Thomas Puccio, CFX, Ed.D. |
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Winter Sports Registration is now open at FamilyID.com
Boy’s Registration Link:
Girl’s Registration Link:
MIAA Tournament Dates:
Soccer Fall Tournament 2021
Girls Division 4
Preliminary Round thru Round of 8 (played at higher seed):
11/4/2021-11/13/2021
State Semi Finals (played at neutral sites):
11/16/2021-11/17/2021
State Finals (played at neutral sights):
November 19, 2021 - November 20, 2021
Volleyball Fall Tournament 2021
Girls Division 4
Preliminary Round thru Round of 8 (played at higher seed): 11/3/2021 - 11/13/2021
State Semi-Finals (played at neutral sites):
11/16/2021 - 11/17/2021
State Finals (played at neutral sites):
11/19/2021 - 11/20/2021
Cross Country Fall Tournament 2021
DIVISION 1 (Boys)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021 @ WRENTHAM DEVELOPMENT CENTER
10:00 a.m. Boys Division 1A 11:30 a.m. Boys Division 1B 1:00 p.m. Boys Division 1C
DIVISION 2 (Girls)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021 @ GARDNER GOLF COURSE
10:45 a.m. Girls Division 2A 12:15 p.m. Girls Division 2B 1:45 p.m. Girls Division 2C
Sectional Swimming & Diving Tournaments.
Girls Division 1
DUE TO SITE CRITERIA & CAPACITY LIMITATIONS, SPECTATORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
Division 1 & Division 2 Sectionals are being held at Worcester Poly Tech (WPI) on November 7, 2021.
State Swimming & Diving Tournaments
DUE TO SITE CRITERIA & CAPACITY LIMITATIONS, SPECTATORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT ANY OF THE VENUES.
The MIAA State Swimming Championships will be held at the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley.
Division 1 will be held on November 13, 2021 starting at 3:15 pm
Be sure to follow MC Athletics @MCAthletics1 for updates to tournament dates and locations.
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