President's Update

Dear Families,

Mary-Anne Di Marco, our Director of International Programs, hosts our annual International Thanksgiving Meal. The event occurs in November after school and offers our students (international and domestic) an opportunity to enjoy traditional and international Thanksgiving-themed food. It is a wonderful time as our community comes together to enjoy food and time together.   

This year was no exception.  We had a great student and faculty/staff turnout. The food was exceptional, as many individuals went through the serving line several times. I want to give a special thank you to Mrs. Di Marco for hosting this special event each year. 

My role at the event was to serve green beans. It’s probably the least popular food station. As much as I tried to convince hungry students (and some faculty/staff) to take some beans, many passed by to the turkey, stuffing, gravy, and Chinese dumplings. The great thing about buffet-style offerings is we get to take what we want and skip over those less desirable items.   

Life is not offered to us buffet-style. We are offered those things we enjoy or want at times, but there are other times we receive green beans or something even less desirable. A plate of green beans can make it difficult to make sense of life when we are hoping for turkey, stuffing, and gravy. If only we could speak to the cook and have permission to go through the line again. 

In the Old Testament, the story of Job tells us of a man who received more than his share of green beans. At first, he did his best to thank God for life’s good and difficult things. Eventually, he came to a point where he wondered why he had even been born. Then, after over thirty chapters of his friends telling him his difficult life was due to his lack of faith, Job demanded an audience with God. He wanted to ask God why his life had become so difficult. 

To Job’s surprise, God shows up. He gives Job a tour of the natural world to show God’s infinite wisdom and power throughout creation. Job’s response to God is below: 

I know that you can do anything and that no one can stop you. You ask who it is who has so foolishly denied your providence. It is I. I was talking about things I knew nothing about and did not understand, things far too wonderful for me. 

Though I can’t tell you why life gives us green beans, after spending time with God, Job tells us that He is limitless and His ways are higher than ours. We are finite, and He is infinite. God has a design and plan for all of creation based on His love for each one of us. For some reason beyond our comprehension, it may include green beans. 

Sincerely,

John K. Thornburg 

At a Glance

Monday, November 27

No Classes/Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, November 28

Day E

Giving Tuesday

Lancer Santa Toy Drive Begins

Wednesday, November 29

Day D

Praying of the Rosary - 7:25 AM

Thursday, November 30

Day C

Midpoint Second Quarter

Delayed Start - 9 AM

The warning bell will ring at 8:55 AM and the first class of the day will begin at 9 AM. LBK transportation will run on its normal schedule.

Pizza & Prayer - 5 PM

Friday, December 1

Day B

St. Francis Xavier Feast Day Mass

All students must arrive to school in Mass Day attire. 

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.

What's New?

Founder's Week - 11.28 to 12.1 

MC’s XBSS/Lancers United Team, in consultation with MC's Administration, has arranged the following activities for Founder's Week which honors the legacy of Xaverian Brothers Founder Theodore James Ryken. Over the course of the week, we will thematize one of the Xaverian spiritual values each day in prayer and in Theology classes.

Tuesday, November 28 

• Morning Prayer with the Xaverian Spiritual Values
• Activity: Trivia Contest

Wednesday, November 29 

• Activity: Scavenger Hunt
• Waffles for students in the cafeteria (Salute to Belgium!)

Thursday, November 30 

• Pizza & Prayer - 5 PM

Friday, December 1

• St. Francis Xavier Feast Day Mass 
• Presentation of the Ryken Award to a Faculty or Staff member 
• Recognition of Faculty/Staff Anniversary Years

All Week Events

• Homeroom Xaverian Poster Competition - Pizza party for the Homeroom with the best poster!
• Letters of Appreciation - Students will write letters to the Xaverian Brothers in MC's Campus Ministry Center 

Lancer Santa Toy Drive - 11.28 to 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 from Tuesday, November 28 to 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.

Giving Tuesday - 11.28 

Giving Tuesday is celebrated this year on Tuesday, November 28. Please consider giving generously to the Malden Catholic Fund on 11.28 through this link.

Tuition alone does not cover the cost of a Malden Catholic education. Like all independent schools, Malden Catholic relies upon the generosity of our alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends to help close the gap between operating income and expenses. Support the Malden Catholic Fund this Giving Tuesday and provide MC with these essential unrestricted funds.

Delayed Start of School - 11.30 at 9 AM 

Please note that there will be a delayed opening for a Faculty/Staff Meeting on Thursday, November 30. School will begin at 9 AM, and LBK transportation will run on its normal schedule. 

MC Parent Club: Wreath Decorating and Bow Making Get-Together - 12.5 at 6 PM 

Come join the Christmas festivities on Tuesday, December 5 at 6 PM for a fun Wreath Decorating and Bow Making Get-Together hosted by Nurse Paquette. The group will decorate live evergreen wreaths and learn how to make spectacular bows. Please bring a potluck appetizer. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Nurse Paquette P'02, '07 at [email protected].

MC Parent Book Club Christmas Party - 12.6 at 6:30 PM

The MC Parent Book Club Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 PM at MC in the Campus Ministry Center. The December MC Book Club will be discussing The Twelve Topsy Turvy Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson, an easy-to-read delightful Christmas story.

Book Swap

Please bring a wrapped book for the Christmas Book Swap.

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

Christmas Concert - 12.13 at 6 PM 

On December 13 at 6 PM, the Malden Catholic Performing Arts Department invites you to attend the annual MC Christmas Concert which will be held in the Thomas ’66 and Olivia McDonough Performing Arts Center. 

You won't want to miss this exciting performance from the Malden Catholic Drama Club, Malden Catholic Choir and the Malden Catholic Dance Company! Seats are limited, so please reserve your spot through this link.

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 March 12 - March 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 MC cafeteria. 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.

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. 

Semi-Formal, Junior Prom & Senior Prom - 3.2, 3.22 and 5.11

The dates for the Semi-Formal, Junior Prom and Senior Prom have been added to the MC calendar.

• Grade 9 & Grade 10 Semi-Formal Dance - Saturday, March 2 at 7 PM at MC
• Junior Prom - Friday, March 22 at 6:30 PM at Spinelli's in Lynnfield
• Senior Prom - Saturday, May 11 at 6 PM at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown

For more information, please visit the Student Essentials page or the Senior Events & News page on the Malden Catholic website.

MC’s 18th Annual Gala Celebration Tickets on Sale

Tickets for Malden Catholic's 18th annual Gala celebration are now available through this link. 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!

The event will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Encore Boston Harbor and includes dinner, the Plus Ultra Award presentation and dancing!

Please visit our Gala website for more information about our Gala and/or Sponsorship opportunities. If you are interested in donating items, services or experiences valued at $500 or more to the Gala online auction, please contact Sarah Hamilton at [email protected]. We greatly appreciate your support!

What's Happening Around MC?

Make-A-Wish Granting Ceremony

Make-A-Wish® of Massachusetts and Rhode Island was presented with $11,373 from MC's Make-A-Wish Club to grant Evan's wish for a trip to Disney World® Resort. This is the club's 5th wish granted in 5 years! Mayor Christenson and Make-A-Wish Community Senior Manager of Corporate and Community Partnerships, Mariama Sano joined us for this special day. Great job, Lancers!

Thanksgiving Prayer Service

Malden Catholic students and faculty/staff came together for a Thanksgiving prayer service before the holiday.

Plus Ultra Awards - October

Each month, faculty and staff are asked to nominate students, faculty, or staff who they feel have done something to personify one of the five Spiritual Values of Humility, Simplicity, Compassion, Trust, and Zeal. The idea is to recognize members of our community who go More Beyond and exemplify our motto Plus Ultra. Malden Catholic is proud to recognize the following people for going More Beyond.

This month’s Plus Ultra Award recipients are:

Humility - Quinn Olbrot '25

Simplicity - Regan Lee '27

Compassion - Ronan Sanzone '26

Trust - Jenna Lapenta '24

Zeal - Mr. Alex Kissel

Sports

Fall Sports Awards

Congratulations to our student-athletes who were recognized at last week's Fall Sports Awards Night! Photos from the event can be found on MC's SmugMug through this link (password - maldencatholic99).

Winter Sports

Winter Sports Tryouts

Wrestling

• 11.27 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM
• 11.29 - 12.1 from 4:30 PM - 6 PM

Girls Basketball

• 11.27 - 11.29 from 2:45 - 4:15 PM (JV and Freshman)
• 4:15 - 5:45 PM (Returning Varsity, Juniors, and invited Underclassmen)

Boys Basketball

• 11.27 at 5:45 PM (JV and Freshman)
• 7 PM (Varsity)

Girls Indoor Track

• 11.27 from 2:45 PM - 4 PM at Brother Gilbert Stadium

Boys Indoor Track

• 11.27 from 2:30 PM - 4 PM at Brother Gilbert Stadium

Girls Ice Hockey

• 11.27 at 5 PM at Malden Valley Forum Rink
• 11.28 at 6 AM at Malden Valley Forum Rink
• 11.29 at 6 PM at Malden Valley Forum Rink

Boys Ice Hockey

• 11.27 - 11.29 at 2:40 PM at Malden Valley Forum Rink

Boys Swimming

• 11.27 from 3 PM - 4:10 PM at Mystic Valley Pool

Winter Cheer

• 11.29 from 6 PM - 8 PM in the MC cafeteria
• 11.30 & 12.1 from 2:45 PM - 4:45 in the Doherty Gymnasium

Senior Athlete Banners

Senior Athlete Photos

Senior Athlete photos will be taken afterschool on Monday, December 4 at 2:30 PM in the Athletics hallway. Seniors must be in their home uniforms.

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 Athletics Director, Bill Raycraft at [email protected].