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Dear Families,
September Greetings! As Principal Smith mentioned last week, he and I are honored to join President Thornburg in sharing some conversation with you here on a rotating basis through the 2023-2024 school year. I’m Brother Thomas Puccio, in my 56th year as a Xaverian Brother and 38th year at Malden Catholic in several administrative roles, currently Director of Mission Integration. I guess my longevity at MC gives me some authority to speak with confidence when I say, “It’s a great day to be a Lancer!” The reason is simple: great people – students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and you – guided by God and all working hard in a ministry focused on Mission. It’s exciting to be here, and I hope your sons and daughters are feeling that excitement even in the earliest days of this new year!
We review our Mission periodically. In fact, as a Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School, we do that review in a very thorough way every ten years with a Mission Effectiveness Process conducted through our Sponsorship Office. We will engage in that process in the year ahead. This past year, though, as part of our strategic planning, a committee of several administrators, Xaverian Brothers, faculty, staff, and Trustees revised our Mission Statement, not altering in any way the essentials, but reshaping and refreshing some of the language, placing emphasis on those things most vital to us today. Here is our new, current Mission Statement:
Malden Catholic is a codivisional, college preparatory high school. Sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers and guided by their spiritual values of simplicity, humility, compassion, trust, and zeal, we inspire students to lives of service, leadership, and excellence. An inclusive community of faith, Malden Catholic nurtures enduring personal relationships and life-long learning.
Our theme for this school year is “Embracing the Mission.” To “embrace,” of course, one must first “understand,” so in the coming weeks, Mr. Smith and Mr. Thornburg may unpackage parts of this Mission with you. I’ll start, also, by saying a few words today about just some of the second sentence, “Sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers,” and then follow-up with a little more on the topic next time we chat.
Many of our students arrive at MC without a clue about what a Brother is. Perhaps “Brother” is a mystery to you, too! Some students know from a Catholic elementary school experience or from a TV-Whoopie Goldberg stereotype what a Sister or a Nun is, so I start with a little analogy: “We’re like Nuns, but men!” A Brother is a member of a religious Congregation in the Catholic Church. We live in community with our fellow Brothers and take vows of poverty (leading simple, non-materialistic life-styles, with no personal bank accounts nor personal ownership of “big” things like cars or houses; celibacy (consecrated to God and allowing freedom to share self with others, no marriage, no sexual activity); and obedience (being responsible to members of our local community and to Congregational leadership).
Each Congregation of Brothers or Sisters has a unique history and a primary ministry rooted in its founding. For the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier (popularly called the Xaverian Brothers), our ministry has been mostly in Catholic education. We were founded by Theodore James Ryken in Belgium in 1839. I’ll stop the story there and pick up next time with a little more about Mission and our institutional history as a Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School. Welcome to the new school year! It’s a great day to be a Lancer!
Sincerely,
Brother Thomas Puccio C.F.X., Ed.D., H'18
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Monday, September 11
Day E
Tuesday, September 12
Day D
Summer Reading Exam
Wednesday, September 13
Day C
Charitable Dress Down Day - $5
Praying of the Rosary - 7:25 AM
Sophomore Parent Night - 6:30 PM
Thursday, September 14
Day B
Senior College Planning Night - 6 PM
Friday, September 15
Day A
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. | |
Amelia Ferringo '24 and Ben Gowrie '24 | Amelia Ferringo '24 and Ben Gowrie '24 were recently featured in The Advocate for their efforts in organizing a dress down day at MC, which helped raise a total of $2,180 for the Emergency Closet of Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES). Way to go, Amelia and Ben! Check out the article through this link. | |
Youths Collect For Elders In Need - Advocate News | Intergenerational support for Mystic Valley Elder Services | | | |
First Week of School Updates | | |
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Student Parking
Students who are driving themselves to school need a parking pass, which can be obtained at the MC Main Office and returned to Mr. Molea. These students are allowed to park in any spot that is not numbered.
Late Arrival/Early Dismissal
Grade 11 and Grade 12 students who arrive late or leave school early must complete a late arrival/early dismissal form, which can be picked up from the MC Main Office and returned to Mr. Molea.
Combined Hallways
Due to MC's growth in enrollment, we've had to relocate certain classes. While we plan to expand and add new classrooms in our development at 50 Crystal Street, in the meantime, some portions of the hallways will accommodate both boys and girls traveling to their single-gender classes.
MC Administration firmly believes that the codivisional model is the most effective approach for high school education, and we remain committed to delivering this educational model at Malden Catholic.
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School Calendar
MC's Online Calendar and Mini Calendar have been updated on the MC website to reflect date changes for the Homecoming Football Game and Homecoming Dance, which will now be held on Friday, October 13 at 6 PM and Saturday, October 14 at 7 PM. As a reminder, the mini calendar is a quick reference and our online calendar is the most accurate.
Please note that Lancerpalooza has been canceled for this year due to the construction at 50 Crystal Street.
MC Mobile App
The Malden Catholic mobile app is a convenient way to access MC information, events, calendar links and real-time alerts. You can customize the app and the links so that the page suits your needs. Student absences can also be shared with school Administrators through the MC app. Stay connected and download the MC Mobile App by searching "Malden Catholic" in the app store.
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School and College Counseling | | |
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College Visits
College representatives will begin visiting Malden Catholic on Monday, September 11 and will continue to visit until mid-November. We encourage all Grade 11 and Grade 12 students to sign up to meet the representatives 24 hours in advance in Naviance. All college visits will be held during lunch in the MC front lobby from 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet the college admissions representatives who will likely be handling future applications. Below is a list of colleges and universities that are currently registered for the upcoming week. Please note that these dates are subject to change. Students should reach out to their school counselor with any questions.
Monday, September 11
Bryant University
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Tuesday, September 12
Gordon College
Wednesday, September 13
Boston University
Thursday, September 14
Emmanuel College
Rhode Island College
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2023 - 2024 Parent Student Handbook | The 2023 - 2024 Parent Student Handbook is now available on the Malden Catholic website through this link. Updated policies, including the dress code and the attendance policy, have been added. Please reach out to MC's Division Leaders with any questions. | |
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Homecoming Football Game and Homecoming Dance Postponed | The MC Homecoming Football game, originally scheduled for Friday, September 15, has been postponed to Friday, October 13 at 6 PM. The Homecoming Dance, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 16, has been postponed to Saturday, October 14 at 7 PM. | |
Summer Reading Exam - 9.12 | |
The Summer Reading Exam for Grades 9 - 12 will take place on Tuesday, September 12. Exam locations can be found by referencing the following schedule:
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Grade 9 & Grade 10 - Homeroom
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Grade 11 English 3 Honors, ACC, or CP - Homeroom
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Grade 11 AP English Language - Assigned classrooms to be announced on Monday
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Grade 12 AP English Literature - Assigned classrooms to be announced on Monday
Grade 12 students enrolled in English 4 Honors, ACC, or CP do not have an exam and should arrive at MC by 8:45 AM.
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MC's Campus Ministry will be sponsoring a Charitable Dress Down Day on Wednesday, September 13. Please bring a $5 donation if you would like to participate. Please note: All Dress Down Days must follow Dress Down Day protocol which can be found in the 2023 - 2024 Parent Student Handbook. | |
Grade 10 Parent Night - 9.13 at 6:30 PM | All Grade 10 Parents are invited to Grade 10 Parent Night on Wednesday, September 13 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM for a discussion regarding details of the upcoming school year. | |
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Senior College Planning Night - 9.14 at 6 PM | Malden Catholic’s School and College Counseling will present a Senior College Planning overview for parents and students on Thursday, September 14 at 6 PM in the cafeteria. Topics will include an overview of the college planning timeline, important dates, and deadlines. The slide presentation and any handouts will be emailed out to all seniors and guardians after the event. | |
Back to School Night - 9.21 at 6:30 PM | All MC parents and students are invited to attend Back to School Night on Thursday, September 21 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM. Parents will go from classroom to classroom, moving through their student's schedule to review the curricula and meet the teachers. Parents are asked to bring a copy of their student's schedule to the event. | |
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Each month, MC hosts a small gathering in MC's Campus Ministry Center that lasts for about 60 to 90 minutes for both current and alumni parents who are interested in discussing selected books. Typically, we have around 10 - 12 attendees, mostly moms, but there's plenty of space for more, and dads are also welcome! We enhance the social atmosphere of the evening with some refreshments that we provide. | |
MC Parent Book Club - 9.27 at 6:30 PM | |
The MC Parent Book Club Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 PM in Malden Catholic's Campus Ministry Center. The September MC Book Club will be discussing Good Night from Paris, a gripping novel inspired by a Hollywood actress whose husband is dispatched to work for the British military. Drue finds herself alone with her housekeeper, adrift and heartsick in her adopted city.
Please contact Vange Egizi at vangiemassagain@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending.
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Malden Catholic Alumni BBQ - 10.13 at 5 PM | |
MC alumni and faculty/staff are invited to join us on Friday, October 13 at 5 PM for an Alumni BBQ celebrating the legendary career of Bob Bucchino ‘71, P’10! This complementary event will be held on the Donovan Field during MC’s football game against St. John’s Prep. Dinner, soft drinks and a cash bar will be provided along with a special halftime presentation. Please register by October 6 through this link.
All registered attendees may join MC's Alumni BBQ Facebook Group through this link for exclusive access to event updates, discussion with fellow alumni and faculty/staff, photos, and more.
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We would like to thank each and every family for your incredible generosity in supporting MC! As part of our Admissions efforts, parent volunteers will begin to distribute Open House lawn signs to family homes in and around towns that surround Malden Catholic. If you receive a lawn sign, please display the sign proudly over the next few months to promote MC to incoming families.
If you would rather not participate in the hosting a lawn sign, contact Mrs. Mea Mustone P’24 ,’26 mustonem@maldencatholic.org to have your name removed from our distribution list. Thank you for your support!
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What's Happening Around MC? | | |
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Last week, students had the opportunity to attend MC's Club Fair to explore ways to become more involved throughout the year. Students who are interested in obtaining more information about MC’s clubs and cocurricular activities may contact Mr. Matt Blair at blairm@maldencatholic.org.
MC Drama Club Interest Form
Interested in being part of MC's Drama Club this year? Please complete the Google form through this link to be updated about audition dates and times.
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Monday, September 11
3:30 PM Girls JV Soccer vs Bishop Fenwick HS
3:30 PM Girls Varsity Soccer vs Bishop Fenwick HS
4 PM Girls Varsity Field Hockey @ Bedford Public Schools
4 PM Girls Freshman Volleyball vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
4 PM Boys Varsity Soccer @ Bishop Fenwick HS
5:30 PM Girls JV Field Hockey @ Bedford Public Schools
5 PM Girls JV Volleyball vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
6 PM Boys JV Football vs Windham HS
6 PM Girls Varsity Volleyball vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
Tuesday, September 12
3 PM Boys Varsity Golf @ St. Mary's
4 PM Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball vs Northeast Metro Vocational
4 PM Boys Varsity Soccer @ St. John's Prep School
4 PM Boys Junior Varsity Soccer @ St. John's Prep School
4:15 PM Girls Varsity Soccer @ Mystic Valley Regional Charter
4 PM Boys Varsity Cross Country vs St. John's Prep School
4 PM Boys JV Golf @ St. John's Prep School
5:15 PM Girls Varsity Volleyball vs Northeast Metro Vocational
Wednesday, September 13
3 PM Boys Varsity Golf @ St. John's Prep School
4 PM Girls Varsity Field Hockey vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
5:30 PM Girls JV Field Hockey vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
Thursday, September 14
3:45 PM Girls Varsity Swimming vs Notre Dame Academy--Hingham
3:30 PM Boys JV Golf vs St. John's Prep School
4 PM Girls JV Volleyball vs St. Mary's
4 PM Boys JV Soccer @ Catholic Memorial
4PM Girls Varsity Field Hockey Home vs St. Mary's
5 PM Girls Varsity Volleyball Home vs St. Mary's
5:30 PM Girls JV Field Hockey vs St. Mary's
6:15 PM Boys Varsity Soccer @ Catholic Memorial
Friday, September 15
3:30 PM Boys Freshman Soccer vs Catholic Memorial
7 PM Boys Varsity Football vs Bedford
Saturday, September 16
10 AM Boys JV Football @ Bedford
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MC Spirit Store Open Until Monday, September 11 | The MC Spirit Store is open until Monday, September 11 through this link, and items will be shipped in early October. Many items are customizable with name, number or sport. There are also many new items including our “MC Pink” gear for October Breast Cancer Awareness and Varsity Letterman Jackets. | |
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