March 13, 2026 Volume 3 - Issue 29 |
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Dear Saint Families and Friends:
“The Church has always taught that all our penance without Christ’s passion is not worth a pea.”
-Genesis Grain
Greetings from Berks Catholic! Happy Lent! Penance during Lent is not meant to be a burden, but a bridge. It is a straightforward way of returning to God with a renewed heart. It also is an act of humility as we come to God to acknowledge our shortcomings and to ask for forgiveness. By doing this, we share in the gift of God’s mercy. None of this would even be possible if it wasn’t for Christ coming to us as a man and offering himself up in his passion and death. Without that consummate act of love, we would not be celebrating the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. How lucky we are to not only be able to share in the Sacrament of Penance but to experience God this Lent. Have a great weekend!
It’s a great day to be a Saint!
A Time to be BOLD!
John Petruzzelli
Principal
610-374-8361 ext. 253
Email: jpetruzzelli@berkscatholic.org
Instagram: john.petruzzelli.9
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Monday, 3/16
Wear your Green (a day early!)
Voter Registration during lunches
Spring Sports Media Day (5:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, 3/17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Office of Education Visit
Kairos Retreat begins
Wednesday, 3/18
Thursday, 3/19
Friday, 3/20
Kairos Retreat returns
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For Pope Leo XIV’s March prayer intention – for disarmament and peace.
For all those who sincerely repent their sins during this Lenten season, that they may participate with Christ in the paschal renewal.
| | Congratulations........... | | | | |
Congratulations
to
Senior
Grace Impellizzerri
who was named
Saint of the Week.
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Best Youth Band
Congratulations to our in-house musicians, Seniors Nic Alvine and Cody Toplak and their amazing band, Vinyl Rush! The band won Best Youth Band 2025 at the Central PA Music Awards! Way to go, guys! Next stop…the Grammies!
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PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships
Congratulations to our three wrestlers who participated in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships. All three wrestlers brought home medals: Freshman Kim Munoz – 3rd Place; Sophomore Layden Acevedo - 4th Place; and Sophomore Tyden Shuman – 7th Place.
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Congratulations to the following Saints who won a ticket to last week’s basketball playoff game for winning the Spirit Club’s Basketball Scavenger Hunt: Eva Gallo ’27, Ellie Hook ’27, Rileigh Knepp ’27 and Faith Zudie ’27.
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Lenten Reflection
My precious and crucified Lord, I offer you this Lent.
I offer it to you with total abandonment and trust.
I offer you my prayers, sacrifices and my very life this day.
Do with me, Lord, as you will.
I pray that this Lent will be fruitful.
I know you have much to say to me and much to do in my life.
May this Lent be a time through which your mercy is poured in abundance into my soul, and into the souls of all your faithful. Amen.
News from the Tuition Office
ATTENTION Prom Attendees! Please make payment towards your tuition delinquency BEFORE FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026 to avoid missing the prom ticket sale. Your student will not be able to participate in the Prom Ticket Sale on Saturday, March 28 if your STS account is past due! If you have questions, please contact tuition@berkscatholic.org.
Win $5000 towards your 2026-2027 Tuition
Get ahead of the game and save big! All families who complete their 26-27 Financial Aid application by April 15, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 tuition discount.
How to Qualify:
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Submit your STS financial aid application: Ensure your status is marked "COMPLETED" by the April 15th deadline.
STS Financial Aid Instructions - English
STS Financial Aid Instructions - Spanish
- Check your status: Applications listed as 'In Process,' 'Pending Docs,' or 'Review' after April 15 are not eligible for the drawing.
- Open to ALL families: You can win even if you don't qualify for need-based aid!
The Fine Print:
- The $5,000 prize stacks with other awards (up to the total tuition cost of $10,100).
- Maximum of one $5,000 discount per family.
- BC reserves the right to modify or cancel this promotion at any time.
Please use the links below if assistance is needed. Please access and refer to your STS account for detailed tuition, fee and financial aid information. If you have difficulty logging in, please email STS Customer Support. The Tuition Office is happy to assist with any questions at 610-374-8361 ext. 223.
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High School Musical
Congratulations to Mrs. Gabby Topper (Director), Mr. Bryan Scollick (Music Director), Mrs. Kirsten Bortz (Producer), the other adult staff and especially the incredible cast and crew of High School Musical! What an amazing weekend we had at BC with two simply terrific performances of the musical. The show was lively and entertaining, and it was clear to everyone there that our Saints were having such a fun and memorable experience. Just four years ago, only 12 Saints came out to audition for the spring show, Shrek. This year, almost 50 Saints came out to audition with an eventual cast and crew of over 70 students! The arts are alive and well at Berks Catholic. You made us all proud!
Junior/Senior Prom
The Junior/Senior Prom will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Stokesay Castle. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the Prom will end at 10:00 p.m. The price of the Prom is $110 per person. Before your son or daughter purchases a ticket, all community service hour commitment, retreat commitment and financial obligations (tuition, fees, AP Test Fees, etc.) must be met.
Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria on Saturday, March 28th from 7:00-11:30 am. You will need to sign up for a time slot to purchase a ticket. A signed Memo of Understanding must be presented at the time tickets are purchased. Absolutely no tickets will be sold after that date. Please plan ahead. There are no refunds.
Signup Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044EAAAF2CA6F58-62403819-2026. Please use the link to sign up for a time slot to purchase tickets.
Please keep in mind that your attire for the evening should reflect a certain level of school appropriateness and modesty for a high school prom. NO PLUNGING NECKLINES OR EXPOSED MIDDRIFFS WILL BE ALLOWED! Appropriate lengths and material are expected. Jewelry and visible body piercing, other than earrings, are not allowed. No visible tattoos are allowed. Dress for boys is a suit or tuxedo. No sneakers or other inappropriate footwear. Earrings are acceptable. All boys must be clean-shaven. Jackets and ties may be removed after dinner – nothing else may be removed. Any guests who ignore this code will be asked to leave the prom. We ask your cooperation in this matter to avoid unpleasant situations for both the school and the non-compliant party. If you have any questions, please contact Miss Marmarou at smarmarou@berkscatholic.org.
Girls Prom Form
Boys Prom Form
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Kennedy House Service Project
The Societas Fidelium Club sponsored a dinner at the Kennedy House in Reading. The club members fed 75 folks a meal of pasta, chicken, meatballs, rolls and cookies. The folks they served were very appreciative and had many good things to say about our Saints and the meal. Our students who served were focused on the guests not cell phones, side-talk or distractions. Many thanks to Sadie Lawlor ’26, the student leader, Roxanne Davis ’26, Emma Dominguez-Seaman ‘26, Santiago Garces-Suarez ’29, Parker Najarian ’29, Jonathan Sauselen ’29 and Matthew Sauselen ’27. Their adult partners were Deacon and Mrs. Lanciano, Mrs. Dominguez, Mr. Kurt Strother (St. Ignatius parishioner) and Fr. Kuna.
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Principal for a Day
On Monday of this week, Senior Brindley Kobularcik served BC as “Principal for a Day”. Miss Kobularcik spent the day shadowing Mr. Petruzzelli as well as participating in a marketing meeting, an academics meeting, making thank you phone calls to donors and working lunch duty. Principal for a Day was a prize from last October’s Extravaganza that Brindley’s parents won. It was great having her “in charge” for the day.
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Grandparents Day
Thank you to all our Saint Grandparents who joined us for Mass and breakfast yesterday. It was such a pleasure having you with us. What an enjoyable morning it was seeing you spend time with your grandchildren.
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Voter Registration
Early Vote Action will be at school on Monday, March 16th during the lunch periods for any students who would like to register to vote. They can help Saints register if they are at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary or general election. In 2026 the Primary Election is May 19th and the General Election is November 3rd. To register to vote, Saints will need either a driver's license number or the last four digits of their social security number. For questions, you can contact Nicole Freed at nicole@earlyvoteaction.com.
Spring Sports
Spring sport practices began at the beginning of the month. Our first games and matches of the spring season are set to begin. Be sure to check out the sports schedules for the various teams. We hope to see you cheering on the Saints this spring. Click here for the spring sports schedule: Berks Catholic.
St. Monica Ministry – Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church in West Reading is beginning a St. Monica Ministry. A Pennsylvania-based apostolate helping those with family and friends find peace as they try to persevere in prayer for "prodigals." Do you have a loved one that has fallen away from the Church? Do you have a need to help them find their way back home to God? You’re not alone. Come and experience those walking the same road. St. Monica Ministry is a dedicated community and prayer network offering hope and support to family and friends of fallen-away Catholics. The Sacred Heart Chapter’s first meetings will be March 26th at 8:30-10:00 a.m. or April 6th at 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish located at Franklin Street & Lakeview Drive in West Reading.
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BERKS CATHOLIC SAINTS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
ARE HOSTING
A NIGHT AT THE RACES
DATE: FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
TIME: 6:30—POST TIME 7:00
BERKS CATHOLIC--LLOYD M. WOLF GYMNASIUM
FOOD, DRINK AND FUN INCLUDED
** BYOB IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SPECIAL
(MUST BE 21 TO ATTEND)
*PLEASE SEE FLYER FOR QR CODE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
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School Yearbook
It’s not too late to purchase your 2025-26 school yearbook. Don’t miss out on all the memories that made the school year so memorable.
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BC By the Numbers
52: Number of rehearsals our Drama Saints had preparing for the spring musical
The Bible by the Numbers
When you need to pray, check out James 5-15-17.
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Social Media
Did you see our post about the Alumni Networking Reception on April 17th? Keep up with all the happenings at the school on our social media channels. Check out what our students are doing day-to-day in class; important news articles; sports and activities; and more! Be sure to follow the school on social media for all the latest updates, pictures and school information. Facebook: Berks Catholic; Twitter: @BerksCatholic; and Instagram: berkscatholic.
It's an enjoyable day to be a Saint!
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It's a great day to be a Saint! | | | | |
Our Mission
Berks Catholic High School is centered on the four pillars of God, Family, Academics and Fun. As a vibrant Christ-centered community, the Administration, Faculty and Staff are dedicated to providing a challenging academic environment for a diverse population of young men and women. Through Christian principles rooted in the Catholic tradition, we strive to positively impact our students spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally, so they can live productive lives of service in this world and attain eternal life.
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