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Dear Families,
When was the last time you felt dreadfully unprepared for something? It’s not a great feeling, is it? There are, of course, those occasions when we don’t have much of a chance to prepare: that sudden, unpredicted downpour on what had been a beautifully sunny afternoon; that serious medical diagnosis that comes out of left field; that unexpected skidding off the road on a patch of ice. These are categories of “surprise,” and we can only pray for God’s grace or our own resilience to get through them. There are so many other occasions, though, where we are unprepared for things that are totally predictable, things that we may even expect! Yet, we’re not ready. Why, we wonder? Could it be laziness? Lack of attention? Disinterest? We’re too busy with other things? There could be a long list of possibilities. One that we teachers sometimes see in the classroom is the case of the student who prepares for the wrong thing: the test is on Chapters 4 and 5, and the student prepares for Chapters 3 and 4. Whoops!
Last Sunday we began the season of Advent, the start of the Church’s new liturgical year. Advent challenges us to be prepared, but, more importantly, to be prepared for the right thing! “Advent,” we know, means “coming” or “arrival,” and in our religious context, the season alerts us to two “comings,” the arrival of Jesus at Christmas and the coming of Jesus at the end of time. We can think of “the end of time,” of course, in a couple of ways. There’s the end of all creation, sometime, we assume far, far in the future, when Jesus comes as King and Judge. And, then, there’s the personal end of our earthly journey…our death. Perhaps you’ll agree that there’s no room for “Whoops!” when we meet our Maker. Are we ready? The Scriptural readings for the season remind us to be alert, not to fall asleep, to be ready when the Master, unannounced, returns to the house.
What are we preparing for over the next three weeks? It’s a tough question to ask during what are unquestionably the busiest weeks of the year. But maybe that’s precisely why it’s important to ask. Is God our highest value? In the midst of all the pre-Christmas scurrying, we need to be preparing for the right thing: opening our hearts to the God who loved us enough to become human and living the message of love that He taught. In doing that, we’re ready for His 2nd Coming, too! That’s the long-view we try to teach in our MC Theology classes.
We enjoy lots of fun music special to Christmas. How about for Advent? For me, the traditional “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” captures the mood of the season. So does a Curtis Mayfield spiritual done by The Impressions in the ‘60’s. Give it a listen here! Happy Advent.
People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel’s humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord.
Sincerely,
Br. Thomas Puccio C.F.X., Ed.D., H'18
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Monday, December 11
Day D
Grade 10 Boys Retreat
Tuesday, December 12
Day C
Grade 10 Girls Retreat
Wednesday, December 13
Day B
Praying of the Rosary - 7:25 AM
MC Christmas Concert - 6 PM
Thursday, December 14
Day A
Friday, December 15
Day H
Weekly Mass - 7:25 AM
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We are providing the MC weekly dining menu in the President's Update to make it easier for students to plan lunch throughout the week. The menu is also available through the Malden Catholic Mobile App along with easy access to the online portal for adding money to student lunch accounts. | |
School and College Counseling | |
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AFL-CIO Scholarship Exam at Malden Catholic
Deadline to register: Friday, December 22
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO and affiliated unions are proud to award financial resources each year to high school seniors pursuing trade union programs or college/university study. Individual awards range from $500 to $16,000. To qualify, Seniors must take a Labor History exam. Information on the Scholarship and Exam can be found through this link. The exam will be administered during the school day and during
the week of February 6 at Malden Catholic.
Please register for the 2023 - 2024 MA AFL-CIO Scholarship and Labor Education Program Exam through this link. Resources for the exam can be found here:
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Junior Class College Planning Kick-off and College Admissions Panel - January 18 at 6 PM
The Junior Class Parent/Guardian College Admissions Panel and Kick-Off event will be held on Thursday, January 18 at 6 PM in the MC cafeteria. This event will include a question-and-answer session with a college admissions panel, provide the framework of the admissions landscape, an overview of the entire college application process, as well as other information that will make applying to college easier.
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Transcript Release Forms
All seniors planning to apply to a college with an early to mid-January deadline must complete the Transcript Request Form to guarantee that school counseling materials can be sent out prior to Christmas break. Seniors have access to the form via their Malden Catholic email.
College Acceptances
MC School and College Counseling would like to remind Grade 12 students to update Naviance with college acceptances. Please reach out to Ms. DelGenio with any questions at [email protected].
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Grade 10 Student Retreat - 12.11 & 12.12 | Next week, Grade 10 students will experience a Retreat Day. The Boys Division will participate in the retreat on Monday, December 11 and the Girls Division will experience the retreat on Tuesday, December 12. Students will not attend classes on these days. The retreat will provide students with a day of reflection, prayer, games and community interactions. Students will participate in a set of forums designed to help them understand the Xaverian Brothers Mission and the school, while getting to know each other better as they strengthen their relationship with God. | |
Christmas Concert - 12.13 at 6 PM | Seats for the MC Christmas Concert are now sold out. The Christmas Concert will be held on Wednesday, December 13 at 6 PM and the event will be livestreamed on MC's YouTube Channel for those who would like to watch the concert remotely. | |
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Lancer Santa Toy Drive - through 12.14 | |
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is an organization that works in partnership with families and communities north of Boston to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. MC has been supporting DCF for over 30 years and we look forward to continuing this holiday tradition. The 2023 Lancer Santa Toy Drive will run until Thursday, December 14.
Please drop off new, unwrapped toys in the MC sleigh in the main lobby. The toys will be picked up by DCF following the Christmas Prayer Service in December. All donations will be given to DCF Metro North in Wakefield.
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MC Travel Club Tour of Italy Parent Meeting - 12.14 at 6 PM | |
The MC Travel Club will be taking a trip to Tuscany and Rome, Italy, during April Vacation, from April 12 - April 20, 2024, and all students, parents, alumni, and faculty/staff are invited to join!
The 9-day, 7-night tour will visit Montecatini, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Siena, San Gimignano, and Rome. The cost for the trip is $4,799 per person if paid by cash/check or $4,899 if paid by credit card. A deposit of $699 is due on January 3.
There will be an informational meeting for parents on December 14 at 6 PM in the Performing Arts Center. More information can be found on the MC website through this link.
Please contact Mr. Caristinos at [email protected] or Mr. O'Connor at [email protected] with any questions.
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XBSS Student Leadership Retreat Application - Due 12.15 | |
Our Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Office annually invites each sponsored school to name 6 Grade 11 student-representatives for a Leadership Retreat which will be held March 3 - 7, 2024 in Connecticut. The retreat intends to inspire a year-long team commitment to service and mission-driven action in the spirit of the Xaverian Brothers.
Grade 11 students who would like to apply can find more information on the qualifications and commitments of an XBSS Leader on the MC website through this link.
Applications can be downloaded here and are due by Friday, December 15 to Brother Puccio at [email protected].
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Posadas Navideñas Celebration - 12.15 at 3 PM | |
Between December 16 and December 24, towns and villages across Mexico celebrate “Posadas Navideñas,” traditional Christmas parties, which recall the events leading to the nativity of Jesus. The MC Foreign Languages Department, supported by Campus Ministry and the Latinx Club, is hosting a MC Posada, on Friday, December 15, at 3 PM and all are welcome to attend.
“Posada” is Spanish for “inn.” The celebration enacts the journey that Joseph and Mary had to make to Bethlehem. Participants act as pilgrims journeying with Mary and Joseph as they look for lodging, and they are turned away at “the inn.” When they are finally given permission to stay in a stable, there is a celebration with singing, breaking a piñata, and eating (hot chocolate and snacks). Participants will assemble outside the chapel, process down the main corridor, with some singing of Spanish litany and make their way to the cafeteria for piñata and snacks.
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Lancers in College Day - 1.4 at 3 PM | The second annual Lancers in College Day for the MC Classes of 2020 - 2023 will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 1:30 PM - 4 PM in the cafeteria. We will distribute the 2023 yearbooks and alumni can catch up with former classmates, teachers and administrators. Please register by January 4 through this link. | |
MC’s 18th Annual Gala Celebration Tickets on Sale | |
Tickets for Malden Catholic's 18th annual Gala celebration are selling fast! General admission Gala tickets are $200/person through January 31. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly and the ticket price will increase to $250/ticket on February 1, so be sure to purchase your ticket soon! Please use the attached link to purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor.
The event will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Encore Boston Harbor and includes dinner, the Plus Ultra Award presentation and dancing. We are delighted to celebrate this Gala's Plus Ultra Honoree who personifies the Xaverian Brothers' pillars and remains dedicated to the Malden Catholic mission - Dan Passacantilli '90.
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What's Happening Around MC? | |
Parent Club Wreath Decorating & Bow Making | |
Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass | |
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Theodore James Ryken Award | Congratulations to Ms. Jeanne Lynch-Galvin P'16 on winning Malden Catholic's 2023 Theodore James Ryken Award! | |
In recognition of the devotedness of the adult members in Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools, the Theodore James Ryken Award has been established to recognize an adult member of the school community who by his or her commitment and dedication lives the mission of the Xaverian charism of education.
For over 13 years, Jeanne has consistently embodied the charism and spiritual values of the Xaverian Brothers, both in the classroom and, most recently, in MC's Girls Division Leader role. She takes time to develop relationships with students, faculty, staff, and parents, wholeheartedly supporting our students’ efforts in their classrooms, playing fields, and cocurricular endeavors. As a professionally competent and talented educator, Jeanne goes "Plus Ultra" - More Beyond by incorporating personal dignity and integrity into their curriculum. As an administrator, she incessantly requires that each student attain a level of personal success and excellence. We are grateful for Jeanne's contribution to our school community and the significant impact she has made on the school's success!
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Last week, MC's AP Physics classes visited Walt Disney World® Resort and completed various activities to explore the physics behind the park's rides. They also attended the Youth Teamwork Training Workshop at EPCOT and worked with Disney Imagination Campus educators to understand Disney's core values with use of effective business practices used by the cast members. This was a great trip enjoyed by all! | |
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Hugh O'Brien Leadership Seminar Ambassadors | Congratulations to this year’s HOBY Ambassadors who will be representing Malden Catholic at the 2024 MA HOBY (Massachusetts Hugh O’Brien Leadership Seminar) at Bentley University on June 7-9, 2023 - Maeve Hurley '26, Liv Lopresti '26, Philip Thompson '26 and Cole Tucker '26. Way to go! | |
Girls Basketball Bake Sale and Dedication Game - 12.12 at 6:30 PM | |
On Tuesday, December 12, at 6:30 PM, MC's Girls Varsity Basketball team will be holding a dedication game for athlete mental health awareness in recognition of one of MC's newest clubs, Morgan's Message.
Morgan’s Message is an organization that aims to expand the conversation on mental health by normalizing discussions surrounding mental well-being. The organization strives to equalize treatment for physical and mental health in athletics and eliminate the mental health stigma in the student-athlete community.
The team will also host a bake sale during lunches from December 6 - December 11, as well as during the basketball game on 12.12.
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Winter Sports
Stay updated on the athletics schedule and events by visiting the MC website or subscribing to text alerts through this link.
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Monday, December 11
5 PM Boys JV Basketball vs Lowell HS
6:30 PM Boys Varsity Basketball vs Lowell HS
Tuesday, December 12
3:15 PM Boys Varsity Swim vs East Boston HS
3:30 PM Girls Freshman Basketball vs Bishop Fenwick
5 PM Girls JV Basketball vs Bishop Fenwick
6:30 PM Girls Varsity Basketball vs Bishop Fenwick
Wednesday, December 13
6 PM Girls Varsity Ice Hockey vs Bishop Feehan
6 PM Boys Varsity Wrestling @ Burlington HS
8:15 Boys Varsity Ice Hockey vs Lynnfield HS
Thursday, December 14
2:40 PM Boys Freshman Ice Hockey vs St. John's Prep
3:15 PM Boys Varsity Swim vs Xaverian Brothers HS
Friday, December 15
5 PM Girls JV Basketball @ Westford Academy
5 PM Boys JV Basketball vs Newton South HS
6:30 PM Girls Varsity Basketball @ Westford Academy
6:30 PM Boys Varsity Basketball vs Newtown South HS
Saturday, December 16
TBA Girls Varsity Ice Hockey @ Cheverus HS (Portland, ME)
9 AM Boys Varsity Wrestling @ Anthony Lisitano Memorial Wrestling Tournament, 7:30 AM Weigh-In
10:30 AM Boys Freshman Ice Hockey vs BC High
Sunday, December 17
7:45 PM Girls JV Ice Hockey @ Andover HS
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Senior Athlete Banners
Senior Banners may be purchased from Dracut Threads through this link. Banners will require a two-week turnaround. The banners will be hung for the fall season and then hung outside with the senior banners from all the seasons. Seniors will be able to take their banners home following graduation. Any questions about Senior Banners may be directed to Assistant Athletics Director, Matthew Blair at [email protected].
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