Weekly Update
John Thornburg
Headmaster
thornburgj@maldencatholic.org
Dear Parents,

Last week I was humbled and delighted to experience the true magic that happens at Malden Catholic. In the light of COVID-19, we shifted our traditional Gala to an UnGala- A Day of Caring and had an overwhelming positive response from our community. With the tremendously generous donations from our alumni, families, friends and angel benefactor, Gerard Doherty, who gave $25,000 during the UnGala, we raised $86,000 for tuition support and programming for our students. It truly was an outstanding day for MC and I cannot tell you how proud I am to be part of such a special place. 

This week is also National Teacher Appreciation Week and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful teachers who make Malden Catholic such an exceptional school. It is quite clear that the long-held tradition of excellence in education and enduring personal relationships is due to the hard work our faculty has put forth for generations. Our faculty has also embraced the challenges that we've faced over the past two months and have moved ahead with grace and poise. I would like to offer a heart-felt "salute" to the people that make our school what it is - those who teach our students.

Enjoy this beautiful week!

Thank you for your prayers and support.

John K. Thornburg
Headmaster 
What's New?
Words of Encouragement from Ms. Tamagini
Giving shape to time is especially important now, when the future seems to lack contour. These few weeks have been an opportunity for me to see things differently. I see that we really are all connected when we adjust our behaviors accordingly, even if that means having our worlds contracted to the confines of our homes. In some ways we have become more connected to one another through experience. We feel fear and boredom, anger and gratitude, frustration and then in those gifted moments, peace. I have loved strangers with an intensity that is new to me because I see all the goodness in the midst of disaster. Uncertainty, at times, drives us to find metaphors and images that will let us wrap our minds around what is happening. It is these moments I default to the natural--what helps me to breathe, to stay calm and focused, and what makes me know I am alive, creating music.

Connecting with my Malden Catholic choir students on Zoom is a very different than in the classroom. I know this statement is true for all teachers and students in today’s educational climate. In order to create the movement that I crave, I adjust my program of practice from singing together to working with my student’s individual skills. The satisfaction of witnessing students sight singing by using knowledge and adjusting it to practice, is very gratifying. Through the action of doing; learning continues, music continues, and life continues.

My own Corona-retreat is comfortable, each day a blurred succession of hours; Zoom classes, writing a doctoral dissertation, learning new things, staying informed and balanced, baking, working on my craft of singing, and prayer. Faith sustains me. As restrictions mount, so do abstractions, but for now I am rooted in love and gratitude for what we all have to offer the world.

Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Blessings,
Ms. T.
Friday Funday: MC TikTok Challenge and Trivia Contest
Are you up for the challenge? MC will be holding a schoolwide TikTok "Blinding Lights" Dance Challenge. Family members are encouraged to dance along. Students must submit their TikTok (mobile video) with the #MCDanceOff to mccormackj@maldencatholic.org and the winning performance will receive an Amazon gift card! Be sure to submit your TikTok by Friday, May 8 at noon.

Also, please join us for an MC Trivia Contest this Friday at 3 PM. Email mccormackj@maldencatholic.org for an invitation.
Class of 2020- Where Are You Heading This Fall?
Attention all seniors... we want to share your plans for next year with everyone in the MC community. Please send us a photo of you wearing your college sweatshirt, t-shirt, hat or a sign identifying the school you will attend next fall. If you have other plans, please share those with us as well.  

Please submit all photos to mccormackj@maldencatholic.org.
Thank You to Our Amazing UnGala Supporters!
Last Thursday, everyone in the Malden Catholic community came together for an UnGala- A Day of Caring. We raised an unprecedented $86,000 in gifts that will support tuition assistance and programs for our students. We are so grateful to everyone for their love, support and contributions. We would not be where we are today if it wasn't for our amazing and caring alumni, donors, faculty, staff, parents and generous MC contributors. Thank you to everyone!

During the UnGala, Headmaster Thornburg challenged Mr. Smith to shave his head if we met and/or exceeded our goal. As you may note in the photo, Mr. Smith was more than happy to pull out the clippers!
Spring Enrichment Courses for Greater Boston High School Students
In an effort to provide supplemental coursework for high school students in the Greater Boston area who may have lost time and learning due to the crisis, Malden Catholic will offer remote Education Recovery Enrichment Classes this spring. From May 11 - June 12, supplemental classes will be taught by MC teachers after the end the MC school day to provide students grades 9 - 11 the important coursework and studies they may have missed in Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Foreign Language, STEM and other electives. If you know of any friends or neighbors who might benefit from Education Recovery Enrichment Classes, please direct them to the Spring Enrichment Classes on our MC website.
MC Habitat for Humanity Chapter Needs Your Help
Malden Catholic High School is one of the only high schools in the country to have a Habitat for Humanity campus chapter. The chapter has provided incredible service and learning opportunities for our students over the years. This includes participating in 7 builds, conducting the first co-ed build in the chapter’s history, attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the first Habitat build site in Malden and raising the first wall of the first Habitat-built home in Malden, MA.

The Habitat fundraising dinner was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the MC Habitat for Humanity needs to raise critical funds in order to continue our important work in the Greater Boston area. If possible, please donate generously through the link below.

Campus Ministry
Prayer of Calmness
Campus Ministers, Dr. Baccari and Ms. Foley, have provided us with a morning prayer for experiencing calmness during difficult times. Prayers are created Monday through Thursday and available on MC's YouTube channel.

Virtual Lunch Check-In
Campus Ministry would like to invite students to schedule a virtual lunch check-in. The virtual lunches will occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 - 12. This is a great way to connect over a meal!

Email campusministry@maldencatholic.org for a Zoom link.
Moms In Prayer - Tuesday at 5 PM
Campus Ministers will be hosting Moms in Prayer on Tuesdays at 5 PM. All MC moms are encouraged to join us for this event.

Virtual Rosary - 2 PM
Campus Ministry will be hosting a Virtual Rosary this Wednesday, May 6 at 2 PM. This is a great way to connect with teachers and students during quarantine.

Use password: 305569
Information for All
Make-A-Wish Inspirational Video
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Make-A-Wish inspirational video! Please keep all of the children in your prayers during the quarantine.

This video is available on the Malden Catholic YouTube page.
Teacher Appreciation Week
This is Teacher Appreciation Week and we want to say THANK YOU to all of the tremendous Malden Catholic teachers who have gone above and beyond, Plus Ultra, during this very challenging year. Be sure to reach out to all of your teachers sometime this week!