Dear Families,
The finish line at the Wisconsin State Cross Country Meet has stringent guidelines. One of the policies that is vigorously enforced is that only competitors are allowed in the finish area. This prevents the "finishers" from backing up and preventing others from having a clear path across the finish line. Additionally, several race officials are stationed to act as security to prevent fans from entering the area as well.
One year, there was a young man who had run a difficult race. As he sprinted to the finish line, it was clear to bystanders that he had expended all his energy during the race. In fact, a few steps after crossing the finish line he collapsed. There he lay - while other runners passed him down the predetermined chutes.
While watching to see who might assist the young man, I noticed a woman arguing with a race official, attempting to enter the finish area. The race official was shaking his head and refusing her requests. By the distressed look on her face and gestures toward the young man on the ground, I assumed she was his mother.
The woman bolted under the security rope with a look of determination that only a mother could give and ran past the race official, knocking him to the ground. She reached her boy, crouched down and cradled him in her arms. The young man gave his mother a thankful but sheepish grin since after all, he was not injured but merely worn out from his race. The demonstration of this mother's extraordinary zeal has stuck with me over the years.
One of our Seniors, Niamh MacCumascaigh, during a presentation to our faculty and staff last month shared her perspective on the Xaverian value of zeal. Here are some of her remarks:
"Zeal is defined as great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. When you think of zeal, you might think of Friday night football games, pep rallies, or school spirit. But there is more to zeal than just inside of school. We exemplify zeal in our everyday lives. Our local heroes, such as firefighters, put their own lives in danger for their single-minded devotion to saving a stranger's life. If you have a passion for something, you have zeal, eagerness, and devotion to making a difference.
Many of us may be waiting for change to happen, waiting for some magical event to suddenly transform our lives for the better, but that doesn't happen until we are motivated to carve our paths, overcome our fears and be proud of who we are. Some of you may see zeal in competitive and unachievable ways, thinking, wow, I could never become an Olympic swimmer or a famous talk show host. That's because it doesn't start there; it begins at the bottom with stress, pain, and suffering.
Zeal starts within us. We choose our passions and motivations. What you do with those passions creates change, and I believe everyone in this room can use the Xaverian value of Zeal to impact the world positively."
Niamh's words echo the zeal demonstrated by the runner's mother – a single-minded devotion and action toward making a difference – this is one of our Xaverian values and Niamh remarks articulate the concept well.
Thank you for your support,
John Thornburg
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Monday, October 10
No Classes/Offices Closed - Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 11
Day B
Wednesday, October 12
PSAT (Grades 9-11) - 8 AM
Grade 12 Senior College Visitation Day
Thursday, October 13
Day A
Friday, October 14
Day H
Weekly Mass - 7:20 AM
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School and College Counseling |
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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.
Tuesday, October 11
George Mason University – Room 130
Thursday, October 13
Endicott College – Room 130
University of Maine – Room 129
Friday, October 14
Southern New Hampshire University – Room 130
Western New England University – Room 129
PSAT for Grades 9, 10 & 11 - Wednesday, October 12 at 8 AM
As part of our comprehensive school and college counseling program, Malden Catholic provides students with the opportunity to take the PSAT, also known as the Practice or Preliminary SAT. All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students are required to take the PSAT at MC on October 12. Parents do not need to sign up their student for the tests. Students will take the exam with their homerooms, and it will begin promptly at 8am. Students will be dismissed from the exam between 12 and 12:30 PM.
The PSAT covers two sections: Evidenced- Based Reading and Writing (sometimes referred to as the "Verbal" section) and Mathematics. Counselors will then use the scores to help students understand their current college preparedness including areas of strength and areas in need of improvement.
Grade 12 will use October 12 as a College Visit Day and will not report to school.
College Financial Aid/FAFSA Review - Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 PM
The College Financial Aid/FAFSA Review which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, October 5 has been rescheduled and will now 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.
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
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Malden Catholic Mobile App |
Don't forget to download the Malden Catholic mobile app as a convenient way to access MC information, events and calendar links. You can customize the app and the links so that the page suits your needs. Please note that student absences can also be shared with school Administrators through the MC app. |
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Baby Clothing Drive - 10.3 to 10.21 |
Campus Ministry will continue collecting new, unused baby clothes for infants under 18 months up to children of age five through 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.
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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.
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What's Happening Around MC? |
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Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser |
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Mr. Joe O'Donnell '62, an alumnus, friend and major benefactor, spent time with SFX students discussing "The Path to Success." He also addressed the student body with insights regarding how MC shaped his formative years. We thank Mr. O'Donnell for his time and amazing generosity! |
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MC's 4th annual "whiteout" LancerPalooza and Homecoming event was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came out, showed exceptional school spirit and joined us for an awesome Malden Catholic Homecoming! More photos from the event can be found on MC's SmugMug (password - maldencatholic99).
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ALS/MS Walk Check Presentation |
This week, Malden Catholic was pleased to present a donation of $4,696.00 to Maura Graham, Walk Director for the Leonard Florence Center for Living ALS/MS Walk for Living. The donation represents Walk registration fees and donations from students, parents, families, and friends.
President John Thornburg congratulated our students for their enthusiastic support of the Walk, and Director Maura Graham thanked the MC community for bringing great life and energy to the events of the day.
Thanks to Mrs. Lauren Connolly and Bro. Thomas Puccio who coordinated MC participation through Campus Ministry for a successful event!
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September Student Athletes of the Month |
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Anne Harrington '24 is familiar with the athletic fields and courts at Malden Catholic as part of MC's Volleyball and Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field teams. Coach Chiccuarelli said “Anne has gone above and beyond since before tryouts even started, both on and off the court. In looking at the criteria, she really embodies each one, but especially commitment. She is the first one at practice and the last one to leave, always willing to help when she can.” She went on to comment that “Annie has yet to come out of a game because of her leadership.” Congratulations Anne! |
A multi-sport athlete, Brendan Zinck '23 has had an impact on the golf team this month not just as a captain of the Lancers but as their leading scorer. Brendan had a terrific performance recently in the Catholic Conference Championship where the team finished just shy of the top spot. Brendan is a great student-athlete and MC ambassador. Congratulations, Brendan! |
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September Student Lancer of the Month |
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Isabella Maser '24 is a member of MC's Fall and Winter Cheerleading and Outdoor Track and Field teams. Bella's coach said "When I think of an athlete that exemplifies what being a Malden Catholic Lancer is, Bella instantly comes to mind. A truly dedicated athlete who takes time to support one another at MC. Her sweet disposition and willingness to try new things, offering a helping hand or kind words to anyone she may see struggling." Congratulations Bella! |
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Tuesday, October 11
3:00 PM Boys Varsity Golf @ Boston College High (Franklin Park)
4:00 PM Boys Varsity Cross Country Home vs Xaverian Brothers HS (Senior Night)
4:00 PM Girls JV Soccer @ St Mary’s Jr/Sr High School-Lynn
4:00 PM Boys JV Soccer Home vs Boston College High School
6:00 PM Boys Varsity Soccer Home vs Boston College High School
7:15 PM Girls Varsity Soccer St Mary’s Jr/Sr High School-Lynn
Wednesday, October 12
3:45 PM Girls Varsity Soccer @ Fontbonne Academy
4/5:15 PM Girls JV/Varsity Volleyball Home vs Fontbonne Academy
4/5:30 PM Girls Varsity/JV Field Hockey Home vs Bishop Fenwick HS
Thursday, October 13
3:00 PM Boys JV Golf Home (Patriot GC) vs Wakefield
3:30 PM Girls Varsity Swimming @ Ursuline Academy
3:15 PM Boys Varsity Golf Home (Unicorn GC) vs St. Joseph Prep
4:00 PM Boys JV and Varsity Soccer @ Xaverian Brothers High School
4:00 PM Girls JV Volleyball @ Rockland HS
4:00 PM Girls Freshman Volleyball @ Rockland HS
5:30 PM Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Rockland HS
Friday, October 14
4/5:30 PM Girls Varsity/JV Soccer Home vs Saugus High School
7:00 PM Boys Varsity Football @ Xaverian Brothers High School
Saturday, October 15
10:00 AM Boys Freshman Football Home vs Xaverian Brothers High School
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