Headmaster Update
John Thornburg
Headmaster
thornburgj@maldencatholic.org
Dear Families,

One morning on my typically smooth morning commute, my drive was interrupted by a large pothole. It was approximately four feet long and four feet wide and caused up to eight drivers to be out of commission with flat tires. As a result, there was a one-mile backup of cars trying to squeeze from two lanes into one. Some of the drivers waited patiently in the open lane while the less patient drivers pushed to get as far as they could in the closed lane before forcing their way into the open one. This massive merge caused a variety of scenarios with angry gestures and lots of horns honking. Unsuspecting obstacles tend to bring out the worst in people. Thankfully, I managed to summon enough patience during the twenty-minute delay caused by congestion to not lose my cool.  

It is frustrating to lose valuable time or to have plans change due to uncontrollable circumstances. The Book of Ecclesiastes addresses the phenomenon of life's potholes along our journey. The author says life is "hevel," a Hebrew word that means "smoke" or "vapor." This is an oversimplification, but the author tells us that life's circumstances are fleeting and subject to change, just like smoke or vapor. One moment the circumstances are there, and the next, they are gone, or something else has replaced it. This applies to both the good and the bad in our lives - both the easy commute and the trip with the pothole. This simply is how our world works.  
 
Yet, above our fleeting circumstances, which we cannot control, our God is in control. And although we will never fully understand why certain things happen, the author of Ecclesiastes assures us that God does, and we can continue to trust Him. We cannot avoid the potholes of life, but we can trust our Lord to guide us through them. May we all continue to support each other as we journey together as a school community.  

Thank you for your support,
 
John K. Thornburg
At a Glance
Monday, September 27
Day 1
Unvaccinated Student PCR Testing | 7 AM
MCLI for Senior Boys | 8 AM

Tuesday, September 28
Day 2
MCLI for Senior Boys | 8 AM

Wednesday, September 29
Day 3
Club Fair for Grade 9 Students and Transfer Students in Grade 12 during last period.

Thursday, September 30
Day 4
Club Fair for Grade 10 and Grade 11 Transfer Students during last period.

Friday, October 1
Day 5
Praying of the Rosary 7:30 AM
MC Spotlight
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Stephen Baccari E.D. - MC Director of Campus Ministry and Theology Teacher
Dear Malden Catholic Family, 
 
After graduating from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in California, I attended the University of California at Berkeley (CAL). After spending five years at CAL where I was a member of the Golden Bears baseball team, I began a 27-year career in the airline industry and became a successful sales and marketing executive.

God however, had another plan in mind for me. I earned a master's degree in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University and then began a career teaching Theology, working in campus ministry, and coaching baseball at Salesian High School in Richmond, CA, Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, and Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco. Eventually I entered the doctoral program in Catholic Educational Leadership from the McGrath Institute for Jesuit Catholic Education at the University of San Francisco and then found an ideal home on the East Coast teaching Theology, working in campus ministry, and coaching baseball at Malden Catholic!
 
As part of my plan for MC Campus Ministry this year, I will empower students and the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools (XBSS) student leaders to take a more active role in all of Campus Ministry's activities. This includes reengaging MC students in the school's chapter of Habitat for Humanity which provides students with the opportunity to build homes for people in need. Campus Ministry also will continue to support ALS with the up-coming virtual ALS Walk in October, the school's Make-a-Wish chapter, and various other forms of servant leadership in our community.

In addition, a large part of the Campus Ministry's role will include working with the Theology department to streamline the Christian Service program.  

Interacting with the students and parents at Malden Catholic has been an extraordinary privilege in my life and look forward to an exciting year ahead!

Dr. Baccari
 
Dr. Stephen Baccari E.D.
What's New?
New Registration Link for PCR Testing. Plus, MC Partners with Curative to Offer No Cost COVID-19 Testing for the Community
Monday Morning Testing for Unvaccinated Students - NEW REGISTRATION LINK FOR PCR TESTING
Thank you to all who participate in our Monday testing. Moving forward we will be doing a much more streamlined and efficient testing procedure utilizing a PCR test. We have tested over 440 individuals with only one positive case. With such successful numbers, we can now move to PCR surveillance testing. Testing will open at 6:30am and students will enter through Door 7 to the gym. Please check-in at the testing tables, do a self-swab test and drop the test in a box. Students do not have to wait for test results but may proceed to their first period class. Students who arrive after 7:45am and have a first period class will be assigned a detention. Test results will be returned within 48 hours. 

PLEASE NOTE THIS NEW REGISTRATION LINK: Use this link to sign up for PCR Testing - https://curative.com/sites/31801/walkup. Everyone has already been registered in the Curative system by participating in the testing over orientation, so you need to only make an appointment for a test.

No Cost COVID-19 Morning Testing at MC
Malden Catholic requires that all unvaccinated students continue to take a COVID-19 test every Monday. Recently, MC has expanded the testing service, partnering with Curative, an essential health services provider, to offer COVID-19 testing at no cost for all families in the community. Tests will be taken at MC's testing kiosk located behind the school, and results will be delivered electronically within 24 - 48 upon receipt of the sample at the lab.

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. For more information, visit curative.com.
2021 - 2022 Student Council
Congratulations to the members of the 2021 - 2022 Student Council! This year, the following students will represent the student body:

Grade 12
  • Francesca Callahan
  • Kelis Bragg
  • Amy Nguyen
  • Kylie Bragg
  • Vincent Carbone
  • Hugh Murphy
  • Aidan Martin
  • Brendan Scibelli
Grade 11
  • Madelyn Ragucci
  • Lily Nguyen
  • Josh Lopresti
  • Aiden Balandan
Grade 10
  • Luna Murray
  • Kayla McAuliffe
  • Ortello Hamilton
  • Cullen Mustone
Grade 9
  • Kiara Capalino
  • Monica O'Brien
  • Michael Casey
  • Kealy Coulter

Congratulations to all of the elected members! This is going to be an incredible year!
Malden Climate Forum 2021 - 9.30 at 6 PM
In support of the City of Malden, MC will be hosting the Malden Climate Forum 2021 on Thursday, September 30 from 6 - 8 PM in the cafeteria.

The purpose of the Malden Climate Forum 2021 is to address stormwater flooding challenges, bring attention to the vulnerability of Malden (in particular the east side of Malden) to flooding and sea level rise resulting from climate change and bring together Malden residents and representatives of organizations who can form a strong coalition to address the impacts of flooding and sea level rise within the Saugus Watershed. 

At this event, Malden Catholic will be presented with a certificate recognizing the school, the students and the MC Green Team for their community service efforts in caring for and protecting the environment in and around Malden. This includes the continuing work of the students who dedicated their time over the spring and summer to promote cleaning the area around the Malden River.

Limited seating is available for attendees. To attend remotely, please send an email to: swinslow@cityofmalden.org
Senior College Planning Event and College Visits
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.

Marist College
Monday, September 27 - Room 106
Salve Regina University
Monday, September 27 - Room 121
Catholic University of America
Tuesday, September 28 - Room 106
Saint Joseph's University
Tuesday, September 28 - Room 121
Boston College
Wednesday, September 29 - Room 124/125
Colby College
Wednesday, September 29 - Room 121
Assumption University
Thursday, September 30 - Room 121
Western New England University
Thursday, September 30 - Room 106
Champlain College
Friday, October 1 - Room 121
University of Dallas
Friday, October 1 - Room 106
Boundless Summit - October 12 at 4 PM
Boundless Summit, sponsored by Fidelity, provides students in the Girls Division a fresh perspective on the endless paths that students can take after high school through active engagement, learning exercises and an inspiring keynote speakers. The Summit will be hosted via Zoom on Tuesday, October 12 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM. Please register through this link.

Please note: if you attended a previous Summit in 2021, the agenda will be the same and there will be another event for high school students coming in November.
2021 Alumni Soccer Game - 10.18 at 6 PM
Malden Catholic will host the 2021 Alumni Soccer Game on October 18 from 6 - 9 PM on the Brother Gilbert field. If you are interested in joining in the fun, please email Scott Elias at hats1595@aol.com. 
What's Happening Around MC
35th Annual Malden Catholic Golf Classic
Cheers to Lancers of Golf! A sell-out crowd of over 130 MC parents, alumni and friends gathered last Thursday at the Bradford Country Club for the 35th Annual Malden Catholic Classic. Great company, enthusiasm and the ability to support a beloved cause made for a perfect day!

Returning champions, Dr. Bruce Doyle P 2021 and his team, finished first with -16. The tournament also provided a special opportunity to celebrate the legacy of the late Carl Mata 1967. Carl’s widow, Maureen Mata GC 1969 and his sons, along with beloved friends from MC and GC Classes of 1969 were in attendance

The generous support of our participants as well as the Lancers of Golf Sponsors resulted in raising over $23,000 for student scholarships at Malden Catholic. Malden Catholic would like to acknowledge event sponsors: Rosemary and Jim Phalen GC 1969, Century Bank, Danvers Ford, Tarpey Insurance, Focus Technology, RSM US, LLP, Rockland Trust, Arthur DeBenedictis, CPA, Paul Gillespie, Esq., The Undefeated MC 1965 Football Team and Malden Catholic Hockey 2021-2022.  
Excellence in Acting Awards
The Massachusetts High School Drama Festival is a competitive program that includes 112 one-act plays produced by members of the surrounding Massachusetts public and private high schools. In the 2021 festival, Michael MacCuish '22 and Emma Lafontaine '23 both received the Student Excellence in Acting Awards in the preliminary round! Congratulations!

This year, Malden Catholic’s Drama students will again represent the school in the festival on March 5, 2022.  
Leadership Speaker Series Welcomed Kyle Willkom
As part of the Malden Catholic Leadership Speaker Series, keynote speaker Kyle Willkom spoke to the student body on September 22. He wowed the crowd with entertaining stories and messages of positivity, action and the true meaning of leadership.

Kyle is the author of several bestselling books, including Action Packed Leadership - Empowering High School Students to Think Positive, Take Action, and Create Change. Kyle, thank you for reminding us as a community that every day we have the opportunity to make others feel important!
Keynote Speaker - Kyle Willkom                    
Sports
Fall Season
The first matches of the year are now underway, and you can find the schedule on the Malden Catholic website. Take a look at this amazing Homecoming video! If you are not able attend MC football games live, they will now be livestreamed on MC’s new Athletics Live YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/.../UC5DF8zwNCz.../featured
Monday, September 27
Boys Varsity Golf Home vs Boston College High School | 3:30 PM
Girls Varsity Field Hockey vs Greater Lowell Tech High School (Away) | 4:00 PM
Girls Varsity Soccer Home vs Austin Preparatory School | 4:00 PM
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer Home vs Austin Preparatory School | 5:30 PM

Tuesday, September 28
Boys Varsity Golf @ St. Bernard’s HS | 3:30 PM
Boys Varsity Cross Country Home vs St. John's Prep School | 4:00 PM
Boys Junior Varsity Soccer Home vs Catholic Memorial School | 4:00 PM
Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball @ Cathedral High School | 4:00 PM
Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Cathedral High School | 5:15 PM
Boys Varsity Soccer Home vs Catholic Memorial School | 6:00 PM
 
Wednesday, September 29
Boys Varsity Golf @ Wakefield Memorial High School | 3:00 PM
Boys Junior Varsity Golf @ St. John's Prep School | 3:00 PM
Girls Varsity Cross Country Home vs Mount Alvernia High School | 3:45 PM
Girls Varsity Field Hockey Home vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham | 4:00 PM
 
Thursday, September 30
Boys Junior Varsity Golf @ Boston College High School | 3:00 PM
Girls Varsity Soccer Home vs Mount Alvernia High School | 3:45 PM
Boys Varsity Golf Home vs St. John's Prep School
| 3:30 PM
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer @ Mount Alvernia High School | 3:45 PM
Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball @ Notre Dame Academy--Hingham | 4:00 PM
Boys Junior Varsity Soccer @ Boston College High School | 4:00 PM
Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Notre Dame Academy--Hingham | 5:15 PM
Boys Varsity Soccer @ Boston College High School 4:05 PM Away | 5:45 PM
Boys Reserve Football Home vs St. John's High School | 6:00 PM

Friday, October 1
Boys Junior Varsity Golf Home vs St. John's Prep School | 3:30 PM
Boys Varsity Football @ St. John's High School | 6:00 PM

Saturday, October 2
Boys Junior Varsity Football Home vs St. John's High School | 10:00 AM
Girls Varsity Soccer @ Stoneham High School | 2:00 PM
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer @ Stoneham High School | 2:00 PM