President's Update

Dear Families,

For several summers, I served as a counselor for an adventure camp for middle and high school boys. One of my roles was to oversee the “Canoe Challenge.” The boys were organized into teams and the challenge was to canoe as fast as possible out to a specific point (marked by a buoy) and then back again. Our goal was to teach the campers the importance of teamwork in the spirit of competition. The students who coordinated their efforts typically did the best. 

A fleet of canoes was staged at the shore, each with two paddles and two life preservers. I would give the boys simple instructions and then shout, "GO!" and the fun would begin. The boys would scramble into the canoes while trying to choose a partner and strap on a life preserver. Sometimes while launching the canoes, the boats would capsize if the boys tried to get in at the same time.  It was fun, chaotic and filled with life lessons.

I followed the fleet of young paddlers in a motorized safety boat as the boys furiously dug into the water and padded as fast as they could. Some remembered their paddle stroke instructions and how to work with their partner... others did not. It was easy to tell which boys understood the methods for proper canoe teamwork. It was my job to provide suggestions to the stragglers regarding how to improve their overall progress and make sure one paddler didn't start blaming the other, which happened often.

During one of the challenge competitions, I noticed a canoe veer off course and head back toward shore. I drove my boat over to the campers and reminded the boys that they had to get the canoe back on the course.

They responded with, "Yes, sir. No problem."

I motored my boat back to the main group who were starting to round the buoy. When I looked up, I noticed my off-course canoers were still off-course. Somewhat chagrined, I drove back to them and sternly instructed them to get back on course.

"Sorry sir. We will right away," they replied.

This time I followed them to make sure they were moving the correct direction. Even though they paddled hard, the boat circled right back to the same spot. They looked at me with desperation on their faces and started paddling even harder. They did another complete circle. It only took me a moment to identify the issue - they were both paddling on the same side. Before I could say anything, they said,

"Sir, you gave us a canoe that doesn't go in a straight line."

The two young boys did not realize that their combined efforts made them to go in circles. They both had the best intentions and wanted to head in the correct direction, but their one-sided efforts resulted in returning to their starting point. They either did not understand or did not listen to the base instructions. After I reminded them of the basic principles, the two boys successfully completed the course in their canoe.

As I thought about this story, I reflected for a moment on where my "canoe" is headed. Every day has its own set of challenges. In my attempt to paddle through these challenges and work with others, I asked myself - do I really take time to reflect on the direction of my efforts or do I blame others or my circumstances? It's not easy to keep the bigger picture in mind when we are paddling on a lake, the group is pulling ahead and we are falling behind. Proverbs (3:5-6) reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Thank you for your support,

John Thornburg

At a Glance

Monday, May 22

Day H

Tuesday, May 23

Day G

Wednesday, May 24

Day F

Delayed Start - 9 AM

Thursday, May 25

Day E

Fine Arts Night - 7 PM

Friday, May 26

Day D

Weekly Mass - 7:20 AM

Dress Down Day - $5

Monday, May 29

Memorial Day - No Classes/Offices Closed

MC Weekly Dining Menu

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. Search for "Malden Catholic" in the app store on your phone.

What's New?

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Over 1,000 students, faculty/staff and guests gathered on Saturday in the Doherty Gymnasium to celebrate the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony. All of our events can be viewed on MC's YouTube channel. Photos from the event can be seen by scanning the QR code below or by texting the code - 29168GY23 to the number 90738.

MC Parent Book Club - 5.24 at 6:30 PM

The MC Parent Book Club will be held on Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30 PM at MC in the Campus Ministry Center. The May MC Book Club will be discussing The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li, a magnificent, beguiling tale winding from the postwar rural provinces to Paris, from an English boarding school to to the quiet Pennsylvania home where Agnès can live without her past. The Book of Goose is a haunting story of friendship, art, exploitation, and memory by the celebrated author Yiyun Li.

Please R.S.V.P. to Vange Egizi at [email protected] if you can attend.

Fine Arts Night - 5.25 at 7 PM

Join us for Fine Arts Night on Thursday, May 25 at 7 PM in the Thomas '66 and Olivia McDonough Performing Arts Center. This Broadway-themed event will feature student art and performances from the Malden Catholic Art Department including student singers, dancers, visual and digital artists.

Dress Down Day - 5.26

MC will have a dress down day on Friday, May 26 for all students, faculty and staff. All proceeds will benefit the Malden Catholic Good Neighbor Fund to support local charities. Please bring a $5 donation if you would like to participate.

The Class of 2023

We are delighted to share the Malden Catholic Class of 2023 matriculation plans for the following year. Please see the attached links featuring our Senior class.

Check out the Girls Division Senior Matriculation page and the Boys Division Senior Matriculation page on the MC website.



Any Grade 12 students who have not contacted their school counselor and updated their Naviance account with all college decisions including acceptances, deferred, wait listed and denied should do so ASAP. Please reach out to Mrs. DelGenio with any questions at [email protected].

2022 - 2023 Yearbook Purchase for Grades 9 - 11 - 6.5

Any students in Grades 9 - 11 who are interested in purchasing a 2022 - 2023 yearbook, please create a Jostens account and order your yearbook through this link. The deadline to order a yearbook is Monday, June 5. (The cost for Senior yearbooks are included in Senior fees that were collected at the beginning of the school year.)

MC's Day of Giving Back - 6.8

Be sure to mark your calendar for MC's Day of Giving Back which will be held on Thursday, June 8. Our goal is to provide as many students as possible the superior quality education that Malden Catholic has to offer. This special day creates opportunities for the next generation of Lancers!

Register for MC Summer Camp 2023!

Summer is right around the corner! Malden Catholic is once again pleased to offer onsite sports camps and classes this summer. These classes typically fill up quickly, so be sure to enroll soon!

Register today on the MC website to secure your sport in MC Summer Sports Camps and engaging classes in HSPT Test Prep, Math and more!

What's Happening Around MC?

Senior Week

Over the past week, the Class of 2023 celebrated their academic achievements and participated in a variety of fun social events including Senior Prom, end-of-year Awards Ceremony, Senior Luau at Kowloon, Senior Breakfast and Prayer Service, Baccalaureate Mass and Malden Catholic's 88th Commencement Ceremony. Photos from Senior Week can be found on MC's SmugMug album through this link (password - maldencatholic99).

Make-A-Wish Ice Cream Social

Sports

MC Baseball Team Honors Veterans for Memorial Day

In honor of upcoming Memorial Day, MC's baseball team and coaches visited Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden and adorned the veteran graves with flags as a heartfelt tribute to all those who served.

6th Annual Alumni Lacrosse Game - 6.3 at 11 AM

The 6th Annual Alumni Lacrosse Game will be held on Saturday, June 3 at 11 AM on the Brother Gilbert Stadium Field. Please email Mr. Matthew O'Neil at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Spring Sports Awards Night - 6.8 at 5:30 PM

Spring Sports Awards Night will be held on Thursday, June 8 at 5:30 PM in the Doherty Gymnasium followed by team award breakout rooms. All students must arrive at the event in Mass attire.

Fall Sports Registration is Now Open!

Registration for Malden Catholic fall sports is now open. All parents/guardians must register students through Family ID at https://hello.familyid.com/ prior to tryouts.

Monday, May 22

3:15 PM Girls Varsity Golf Away at Stoneham Oaks

4:00 PM Boys Varsity Tennis @ Arlington HS

4:00 PM Girls Varsity Softball @ Academy of Notre Dame Tyngsboro

4:00 PM Boys JV Baseball @ Revere High School

4:00 PM Boys Varsity Baseball @ Revere HS

5:00 PM Boys JV Lacrosse @ St. Mary's

5:30 PM Girls Varsity Lacrosse Home vs St. Mary's Varsity Only (Senior Night)

7:00 PM Boys Varsity Lacrosse @ St. Mary's

Tuesday, May 23

4:00 PM Girls Varsity Tennis Home vs Archbishop Williams HS/MS (Senior Night)

4:00 PM Girls Varsity Softball at Endicott College vs Marblehead (Senior Night)

Wednesday, May 24

3:00 PM Girls Varsity Golf @ Academy of Notre Dame

4:00 PM Girls Varsity Lacrosse Boston Latin School

4:00 PM Girls JV Softball Home vs Marblehead HS

4:00 PM Girls Varsity Tennis Home vs North Quincy High School

4:00 PM Boys Varsity Tennis @ North Quincy HS

6:00 PM Boys Varsity Lacrosse @ Boston Latin School

Thursday, May 25

TBA Girls Varsity Outdoor Track OPEN

3:00 PM Girls Varsity Golf Home vs Notre Dame Academy

4:00 PM Boys Freshman Baseball @ Billerica Memorial High School

4:00 PM Boys Varsity Tennis @ Waltham HS

4:00 PM Boys JV Baseball Home vs Billerica Memorial High School

4:30 PM Girls Varsity Lacrosse @ Georgetown MS/HS

4:00 PM Girls JV Softball Home vs Lynnfield HS

4:00 PM Girls Varsity Softball Home vs Lynnfield High School

5:00 PM Boys Varsity Rugby Home vs Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

6:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Home vs Billerica Memorial High School (Senior Night/Blackout Game)

7:00 PM Boys Varsity Lacrosse Home vs Boston College High School

Friday, May 26

No events scheduled

Saturday, May 27

TBA Girls Varsity Outdoor Track OPEN

9:30 AM Girls Varsity Softball OPEN Bishop Fenwick

10:30 AM Boys Varsity Baseball @ St. John's Prep School

10:30 AM Boys JV Baseball @ St. John's Prep School

11:45 AM Girls Varsity Softball @ Bishop Fenwick