The Black & Gold Report

November 14, 2025 Volume 3 - Issue 14

Dear Saint Families and Friends:

“People see God every day, they just don’t recognize him.”

-Pearl Bailey

Greetings from Berks Catholic (and on site from the Kairos Retreat in Malvern)! As I take a few minutes to write this introduction during some free time on the Kairos Retreat, it’s nice to see our Saints on the grounds of the retreat center enjoying time together. We are in the midst of our 4-day Kairos experience. As I told my small group on Tuesday night, I believe being a Kairos leader is one of the most important things I do as Principal. It’s THAT important!

One of the retreatants gave me a sticker for my notebook that said, “Let’s make Heaven crowded.” I hope the work we do on this amazing retreat helping our Saints grow in their relationship with God, as well as what we do at school each day, will assist in some small way for our Saints to help make Heaven crowded. Wouldn’t that be amazing? 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

Monday, 11/17

Tuesday, 11/18

Wednesday, 11/19

DECA Field Trip

Lock Down Drill

Grade School Mathletes Competition

Thursday, 11/20

Friday, 11/21

Pope Leo’s Video

For those men and women who were recently elected to a political position that they may govern with integrity and concern for their constituents.

For all judges entrusted to enforce the law that God may bless them with wisdom and courage.

Congratulations...........

Congratulations

Freshman

Alli Reinhart

who was named

Saint of the Week.

Congratulations to all our Saints who achieved Honor Roll status! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence continue to make our school community proud. Keep striving, keep growing, and keep shining! Please click on the links for the list of students.

Distinguished Honors

First Honors

Second Honors

Congratulations to longtime Berks Catholic Coaches Phil Bennethum and Jasen Esposito on their Induction into the BCIAA Gold Leaf. Coach Bennethum and Coach Esposito were honored by the Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association for their 20 years of service to Holy Name and Berks Catholic at the 58th Annual Gold Leaf Banquet at the Redner’s Events Center this week. Congratulations Coaches!

Thank you to the 30 DECA Club members who helped feed over 100 veterans this past weekend at the Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner Dance. In addition, Seniors Maria Pascuzzi and Emily Schearer sang the National Anthem at the dinner. Terrific work!

Championship Week and Still Serving Others in the Community

Members of the Football team helped set up the Physician Story Telling event supported by the Reading Hospital Foundation at Drexel Medical School in West Reading. This is an important evening where emeritus and attending physicians come together with residents and medical students to discuss topics as part of the medical humanities program at Reading Hospital!

Thank you to the following Saints who sang in the choir last Sunday at the CYO Mass held at BC. Members of the Choir included: Dina Flynn ’29, Ava Freed ’29, Anthony Hauser ’29, Sarah Hauser ’27, Sarah Karwejna ’29, Jasper Langumas ’29 and Morgan Wilcox ’29.

Thank you to Principal Emilia Ward and our Future Saints at Saint Ignatius School for supporting the football team today, Friday, for their District 3 Championship Football Game. The future Saints at Saint Ignatius are dressed down, wearing black and gold in support of Berks Catholic.

What's Happening

Pope Leo’s Digital Address to Young People

On Friday, November 21st, at 10:15 a.m., His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, will address the young Church in the United States through a live digital encounter during the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), taking place in Indianapolis. This event will gather over 15,000 youth in person and will be simulcast and live streamed globally, thanks to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). The Holy Father will offer a message of hope, unity and peace, and will engage in a live dialogue with several youth participants during a 45-minute virtual appearance from Rome. This marks an historic moment in the Church’s engagement with young people in the digital age. BC will hold a special assembly for our school community to view and experience this exciting digital address with Pope Leo XIV.

School Mass

Our next school Mass will take place on Tuesday, November 25th at 9:00 a.m. in the Franco-Post Auditorium. Parents, guardians and families are always welcome to attend. If you plan to come to Mass, please sign in at the Main Office before coming down to the auditorium.

Thanksgiving Break

A reminder that Thanksgiving Break begins at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 25th. Student dismissal on that day is at 11:00 a.m. as staff has an in-service session in the afternoon. We return to school on Tuesday, December 2nd.

News from the Tuition Office

Please pay all past due balances a soon as possible. Please keep in mind your student will not be able to participate in the Christmas Dance Ticket Sale running November 10-21 if you received a First Quarter Report Card Hold Notice and your STS account remains past due!

Please make payment towards your tuition and fee delinquency to avoid missing the dance ticket sale.

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.

Access Your STS Account

STS Customer Service

BCHS Tuition Office

Class Rings

Berks Catholic is pleased to announce that class rings may now be ordered. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to commemorate their achievements and school spirit with a personalized keepsake.

We wanted to take this time to remind you of the discounts on our jewelry/class ring items available for your student. When ordering you will receive your FREE CLASS HOODIE. The last day to take advantage of this will be December 5th. The direct link to the website is below.

WWW.JOSTENS.COM

Seniors—Celebrate the Class of 2026!

Don’t miss your chance to grab exclusive Class of 2026 memorabilia! From shirts and hoodies to keepsakes that capture your senior year, these items are the perfect way to show your Saint pride and remember your final year at BC. (Please note: caps and gowns have been ordered for all Seniors). Order at the link below and celebrate your journey to graduation in style! 🎓💛🖤

Josten: Berks Catholic High School Catalog

Yearbook Sales

TODAY is the last day of the second early bird price special of $85 for the 25-26 yearbook. Don’t miss out on the year’s highlights and memories. The 25-26 yearbook will be a real keepsake for your Saint. Purchase a yearbook so your Saint will have those memories forever!

Yearbook Senior Ads

Attention Senior families:

Memorialize your Senior Saint’s time at BC by purchasing a Senior ad in the yearbook. Now is the time to reserve your yearbook ad. Don’t miss out on this loving gesture to your Senior. Check out the attachment for more details.

Senior Ad Form

Christmas Dance

Berks Catholic will host the Christmas Dance on Sunday, November 30th in the school gym. Cost of the dance is $30. Dress is semi-formal. Tickets are on sale until Friday, November 21st. This is a dance for Berks Catholic students only. No students from other schools may attend. This is not a date dance. Students can come with friends to the dance.

Saints Locker Online Store

Santa with the Saints Sign Ups

🎄🍪 Sweeten the Season! 🍪🎄 Holiday Cookie Sign-Up Link

BC By the Numbers

263: Boxes of Joy contributed by Saints filled with school supplies, clothes and age-appropriate toys for Catholic Outreach to be distributed to people throughout Africa and South America.

Finish Line Friday

It is great to hear the positive feedback on our “Finish Line Friday” video on social media. Be sure to look for it on Friday afternoon and receive a recap of the week from Mr. Petruzzelli. It’s another way we hope to keep families informed about what is going on at BC. We hope you like it!

"Say What Sunday"

We need your voice! Are you or a relative an alumnus of Central Catholic, Holy Name or Berks Catholic? If so, please ask them to participate in “Say What Sunday,” our weekly feature in our social media postings. Check it out each Sunday and see what people are saying about Berks Catholic. We would love to hear from alumni about what their time in high school was like. Please go to: https://forms.gle/hpF8HWXaJCiL86ga8 to leave your message.

The Bible by the Numbers

When you are seeking marriage advice, check out Ephesians 4:30-34.

Social Media

Did you see our posts about our English classes? 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 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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