President's Update
Dear Families,

Each summer, my dad would take a week’s vacation at a resort near Bemidji, Minnesota. Red Squirrel resort was located on Lake Plantagenet and offered a variety of water activities – swimming, fishing, sailing and boating. My mother, concerned for our safety, would give us a speech about the dangers of the water, which included a tale about a young man who drowned in just a cup of water. Her speech made quite an impression on us. We never ventured out of the shallow water.

My mother eventually realized that her cautionary tales had resulted in her son being a nine-year-old who could not swim. When we returned home, she enrolled me in swimming lessons. Despite the instructor's great effort and encouragement, he could not get me to go underwater and I failed the class. Undaunted, my mother found a swimming instructor with a more militant approach at a local YMCA. As part of the instructor's plan, he made his swim students jump off the diving board into the deep end at the end of the lesson series to demonstrate what the students had learned.

The fateful day came. The other dutiful students walked to the end of the diving board and jumped. They hit the water with a splash and quickly bobbed back up to the surface as their parents applauded. Finally, it was my turn. The instructor gave me the order to “jump.” I refused. Sensing my fear, he told me that I could trust him. Diving into the water, he waited for me below the board. Then, he barked the order and I jumped.

I immediately sunk to the bottom and after several seconds felt the instructor grab my arm and pull me to the surface. Together, we swam to the side of the pool. Although I failed my first attempt to jump off the diving board, my fear of water started to dissipate and was replaced with trust in my swim instructor. I knew he would be there when I needed help, allowing me to move forward more confidently. After that day, I quickly learned how to swim.

Someone once told me faith is placing our trust in something (or someone) else, allowing us to overcome our fear. The Bible says faith is “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith allows us to move past fear (false evidence appearing real). The object of our faith is paramount. My faith rested upon the character and expertise of my swim instructor, which allowed me to jump off the diving board. I was still afraid, but no longer distrusting myself or my abilities.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect object of our faith. Hebrews tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet did not sin. Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

When we find ourselves in hard circumstances, where we that feel like we are standing on the edge, unable to swim through life’s challenges, let us remember the presence of Our Lord, waiting as we jump and with us while we swim.

Thank you for your support,

John Thornburg
At a Glance
Monday, October 17
Day G

Tuesday, October 18
Day F

Wednesday, October 19
Day E
Praying of the Rosary - 7:25 AM

Thursday, October 20
Day D

Friday, October 21
Day C
Weekly Mass - 7:20 AM
School and College Counseling
College Visits
College representatives have been visiting MC on assigned days beginning at 2:25 PM and will continue to visit until early December. We encourage all Grade 11 and Grade 12 students to sign up to meet the representatives in advance in Naviance or with their school counselor.

Monday, October 17
Le Moyne College
 
Tuesday, October 18
Lasell University
 
Wednesday, October 19
Adelphi University
Sacred Heart University

Thursday, October 20
University of California-Santa Cruz
Roger Williams University
 
Friday, October 21
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Northeastern University

Financial Aid Webinar
MEFA, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, will be hosting live Financial Aid 101 webinars on a weekly basis from September 28 through early December this year. Webinars will occur during both daytime and evening hours, featuring subject matter experts from MEFA. Families can view webinar dates and times and register on mefa.org.

Transcript Release Forms
Seniors can access Transcript Release Forms on the MC website through this link.
What's New?
Student Verification and Handbook Acknowledgement Forms - 10.17
Homeroom student verification and handbook acknowledgement forms were distributed in homerooms this week. A parent or guardian will need to review these forms and provide updates, corrections and signatures. Students (who must sign the form as well) will need to return the signed forms to their homeroom teachers by Monday, October 17.
Grade 9 Student Council - 10.17
Students who are interested in running for Student Council President or Vice President of the Freshman class should email either Mr. Jacobsen or Ms. Sheila Foley sfoley@maldencatholic.org or Mr. Jacobsen tjacobsen@maldencatholic.org by Monday, October 17.
Baby Clothing Drive - through 10.21
Campus Ministry will be collecting new, unused baby clothes for infants under 18 months up to children of age five until Friday, October 21. The clothing items received will be donated to Housing Families Inc. in Malden. Packages of diapers are also welcome! All donations can be made in either the donation bin in the main lobby or in the Campus Ministry Center.
Grade 9 Student Retreat - 10.24 and 10.25 at 8 AM
Next week, MC's freshman class will experience a Grade 9 Retreat Day. The Girls Division will participate in the retreat on Monday, October 24 and the Boys Division will experience the retreat on Tuesday, October 25. Students will not attend classes these days, and the retreat will allow Grade 9 students to have a day of reflection, prayer, games and community interactions. Students will participate in a set of forums designed to help them get to know the Xaverian Mission, the school and one another better, while strengthening their relationship with God.
MC Parent Book Club - 10.27 at 6:30 PM
The MC Parent Book Club Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 PM at MC in the Campus Ministry Center. The October MC Book Club will be discussing Still Life by Louise Penny, a mystery about the killing of a well-loved artist Jane Neal in the residents of Three Pines - a place so free from crime it doesn't even have its own police force.

Please contact Vange Egizi at: vangiemassagain@yahoo.com or Brother Puccio tpuccio@maldencatholic.org if you are interested in attending.
College Financial Aid/FAFSA Review - 10.27 at 6:30 PM
The College Financial Aid/FAFSA Review will be held on Thursday, October 27 in the MC cafeteria.

Amy Piantedosi, Director of Student Financial Counseling at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will present the College Financial Aid Process and FAFSA Review at MC on Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. The presentation will include an overview of the college financial aid process, FAFSA examination, and a question and answer session.
Pep Rally/Blackout Football Game - 10.28
MC will be hosting a pep rally and Blackout football game on Friday, October 28 at 6 PM at Malden Catholic in support of Project Blackout. Project Blackout is a student centered nonprofit group dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer in New England communities.

Blackout Cancer T-Shirts
The Blackout Cancer t-shirt sale is an integral part of Project Blackout’s annual push to unite communities and raise awareness of pediatric cancer. Next week, MC's Athletics department will begin t-shirt sales in the athletics office during the school day for $15/shirt by cash or check made payable to Malden Catholic. Students and faculty/staff are asked to wear their Blackout t-shirt to school and to the Blackout football game.
President's Holiday - 11.28
During Mr. Joe O'Donnell's '62 visit last week, President Thornburg granted a surprise schoolwide President's Holiday for Monday, November 28. This will provide an extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend. There will be no school for students, faculty or staff on that day.
Welcoming the New MC Parent Club Facebook Group Administrators
We are delighted to introduce our new MC Parent Club Official Facebook Group Administrators - Jo Newhouse P'25 and Kristy Perry P'25, '23 who will serve as parent liaisons for the MC Facebook page. Jo and Kristy are available to answer parent inquiries and supply information regarding school events and activities to Facebook Group members throughout the year. Jo is the parent of Matthew Newhouse '25 and Kristy is the parent of Madison Perry '25 and Jillian Perry '23. We are very grateful for their assistance this year with the group.

You can join the Official MC Parent Facebook Group through this link.
What's Happening Around MC?
Wear Pink Day - Breast Cancer Awareness
Malden Catholic Open Houses
MC Art Exhibit
Brother Edward Rice, CFX, and his sister, Faith Rice, generously agreed to display 15 original framed paintings along MC's Marilyn's Way which is located on the first floor corridor of the Girls Division.

Brother Rice has worked in a variety of media over the span of fifty years including printmaking media of etching and silkscreen printing, oil painting and watercolor painting. Brother Rice said "I like to think that my paintings invite quiet reflection while also leading the viewer to find beauty in the details of nature that are often overlooked. I also hope that my work will bring the viewer beyond the recognizable to a place where serenity and joy may be sought and experienced."

Faith Rice developed an interest in visual art at an early age and participated in and received recognition in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards as well as through other regional exhibits. Faith said "I am drawn to doing portraits, discovering that something of the inner soul and character of the person comes forth in the final rendering. My hope is that the viewer can perceive some of these same qualities in my work."

We thank Brother and Faith Rice for allowing MC to exhibit their beautiful pieces of art!
La Colaborativa Check Presentation
This week, MC's La Colaborativa Club presented a check for $3,100 to the organization's Executive Director, Gladys Vega. La Colaborativa's MC Club President, Alonda Enciso Torres '23, along with the club members had spearheaded fundraising initiatives throughout 2022 that included candy gram sales, dress down days and more. Congratulations to all who have contributed to the club's success!
The Malden Catholic Fund
The Malden Catholic Fund benefits every student and makes it possible to continually enhance academic innovation, arts and athletic programming, faculty excellence, tuition assistance and scholarships at our school. Our goal is to raise $1.2M for the Malden Catholic Fund, with our current families contributing $100,000 of this amount.

This year, Sallyann (Dimeco) Fama GC '56 and Dr. Eugene Fama '56, the 2013 Nobel Prize winner in Economics Sciences, have offered to match the first $100,000 of parent gifts. Like you, Sallyann and Dr. Fama, who is often called "the father of modern finance," believe in Malden Catholic and know that a gift/investment today will enhance your Lancer’s future.

Plus Ultra Awards
Plus Ultra Awards
MC launched a new monthly initiative to recognize students and faculty members who have gone Plus Ultra, "more beyond," and exemply the Xaverian charism. This month, Malden Catholic is proud to recognize the following individuals who have demonstrated one of the following five spiritual values - humility, simplicity, compassion, trust and zeal. Congratulations to all!

October Plus Ultra Awards:
  • Cullen Mustone ’24 - Zeal
  • Moamel Al-Azzawi ’24 - Trust
  • Yolandy Vargas ’24 - Compassion
  • Madelyn Ragucci ’23 - Simplicity
  • Mr. Gregory Lee - Humility
Moamel Al-Azzawi ’24 - Trust

Malden Catholic Administration stated, "XBSS schools have often described trust as the 'meeting place of mind and heart, faith and courage,' and this has been the case for Mo since his first day as a transfer student earlier this year. Mo has embraced the MC community, worked hard, and developed great relationships with his peers and teachers. In AP Seminar, Mo went out of his way to prepare a prayer for the class inspired by his faith tradition and opened himself up to questions from his peers about his upbringing in Iraq and his faith practice as a Muslim. Mo handled all of the questions with respect and candor and in so doing, created a classroom atmosphere that was open, honest, and supportive. The way he has fully embraced his peers amidst newness and uncertainty makes him most deserving of a Plus Ultra Trust award for September."
Yolandy Vargas ’24 - Compassion

Malden Catholic Admissions commented, "Yolandy is no stranger to the Admissions department. She has always volunteered to help at Admissions events and is a true leader. She has the ability to recruit volunteers and assign duties to them. She pays attention to detail, finishes what she starts and is dependable. On the day of the McDonough Theater dedication, Yolandy volunteered as a greeter at the door. When the concert started in the theater, all of her peers left their posts to see the see the performance. She was the only student who stayed behind to greet latecoming visitors. During tea time, she mingled with the guests and assisted the elderly back to their tables with their plates and teacups. At the end of the day, when everyone left to go home, she alone remained until 4 PM to help me with packing up four hundred pieces of fine China we rented for High Tea. She is my go-to student whenever we need help."
Madelyn Ragucci ’23 - Simplicity

Malden Catholic Administration said, "Maddie is a great example of simplicity because she consistently will work for the common good over her own individual gain or attention. Maddie’s teamwork, leadership, and dynamic with her classmates highlights how selfless she is."
Cullen Mustone ’24 - Zeal

According to Malden Catholic Administration, "Cullen showcases zeal in his enthusiasm for the school, his fellow students and the various MC events that happen over the year. Cullen is positive, uplifting, and supports so many aspects of Malden Catholic."
Mr. Gregory Lee - Humility

Malden Catholic Administration stated, "Mr. Greg Lee has been a wonderful addition, and an integral member of our Malden Catholic community. He truly understands our mission and objectives. Simplicity, Humility, Compassion, Trust, and Zeal are part and parcel of his inner being. On a day-to-day basis, he infuses a hospitable and wonderful presence and upbeat personality to all at MC, all in a very intentional, kind, gentle, and genuine manner. Consistently and purposefully, he makes it a point to welcome and to understand each student, always creating a friendly and considerate disposition, while offering, when necessary, wise, practical, and valuable commentary and lessons. You would be hard-pressed to find a more caring and nurturing individual who always sees the goodness and abilities in each and every student, faculty, and staff member; and he does this from a most thoughtful and spiritual lens. Always willing to lend a helping hand, we are a most blessed community to have his presence at our school.”
Sports
Fall Sports
The Malden Catholic Varsity Letterman Jacket Store is now open until October 28. The Holloway Navy Varsity Letterman Jacket may be purchased through Brine Sports and will have an anticipated delivery date of sometime in December. Jackets are customizable with the number and choice of sport.
Monday, October 17
3:45/5:30 PM Girls Varsity/JV Field Hockey @ St Mary’s Jr/Sr High School-Lynn
4/5:15 PM Girls JV/Varsity Volleyball Home vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
4:00 PM Boys Freshman Soccer Home vs St. John's High School
6:00 PM Girls JV Soccer Home vs Notre Dame Academy—Hingham

Tuesday, October 18
3:00 PM Boys JV Golf Home (Patriot GC) vs Catholic Memorial
4:00 PM Boys JV/Varsity Soccer @ St. John's HS
4:00 PM Boys Varsity Cross Country @ Catholic Memorial School Bus TBD
4:00 PM Girls Varsity Soccer @ Northeast Metro Regional Vocational
4:00 PM Girls Varsity Field Hockey Home vs St. Bernard’s HS

Wednesday, October 19
3:00 PM Boys JV Golf vs St. John's Prep (Far Corner GC)
4:00 PM Boys Freshman Soccer @ St. John's HS
4:00 PM Girls Varsity Cross Country Home vs Mount Alvernia HS
4/5:30 PM Girls Varsity/JV Soccer Triton Regional High School

Thursday, October 20
4/5:15 PM Girls JV/Varsity Volleyball Home vs Cathedral High School Dig Pink Game
4:00 PM Boys Freshman Soccer St. John's Prep School
4/6:00 PM Boys JV/Varsity Boys Soccer Home vs St. John's Prep School

Friday, October 21
4/5/6:15 PM Girls Freshman/JV/Varsity Volleyball Home vs Ursuline Academy
6:00 PM Boys Varsity Football Catholic Memorial School Home

Saturday, October 22
10:30/12:00 PM Girls Varsity/JV Soccer Home vs Stoneham High School
2/3:30 PM Girls Varsity/JV Field Hockey Home vs Hamilton-Wenham Regional