MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
124th EDITION: August 30, 2019
Pilgrims on the Way of Truth
From the Desk of...
“At Marian, Christ lives!”
During the quiet summer months, I heard these words as I prayed my daily Rosary in our chapel. My intention was that the Holy Spirit might help me to figure out the theme for the upcoming year, and as I was meditating on the fourth glorious mystery - the Assumption of Mary - I admit that my mind was wandering. I was noticing how different the chapel felt, without the usual rush of students popping in the chapel to go to confession or for a quick moment of Eucharistic Adoration during their lunch period. I was reflecting on how much the students rejuvenate my priesthood with their own faith, and at that moment the words stood out clearly in my mind:
“At Marian, Christ lives!”
I felt right then and there that this was the theme that the Lord was calling me to propose for the 2019-2020 year. I was especially excited when I realized that, in God’s providence, I would be announcing this theme on the feast of the Assumption of Mary during our opening All School Mass!
The students, staff, and faculty here know that I can often sound like a broken record. One of the things I like to say over and over again is that Christianity is not a philosophy of life or a code of ethics, it’s a real relationship with a real person. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not for us simply an idea or an example. He’s alive! And He lives at Marian, present and active in so many ways.
One of those ways that Christ lives at Marian is through our annual retreats. As you might know by now, we’re changing things up a little bit this year. While Kairos will remain an option for Juniors, our required retreat will be Revival, instead of the separate class retreats we’ve done in the past. Revival is a two day, in house, all school retreat. Consisting of Mass, confessions, adoration, talks, music, and games, it will take place March 4th and 5th, 2020. Extra curricular activities will be cancelled March 4th to help us focus entirely on Christ. The two Kairos retreats (still at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center) will be held December 4th through 6th, 2019, and April 29th through May 1st, 2020.
I am very excited about these retreats, and I ask each of you to please pray, pray, pray! Pray for Kairos and Revival this year. Pray that all of our students, staff, and faculty might encounter the Lord in a powerful and authentic way. Pray that all who are a part of our beloved Marian Central community might experience anew the joy of the Gospel. Pray that we will be able to remember throughout the year, no matter what we are going through:
“At Marian, Christ lives!”
God bless,
Fr. 20
Athletic Event Reminders
Please remember the rules below when attending ANY Marian athletic events…
1) Students must have their school ID with them, or may be subject to paying admission.
2) No backpacks or outside food or drink are allowed in the football stadium or either gymnasium.
3) Please remind your students, they are ALWAYS representing our school; shorts and skirts should be at fingertip length and bare midriff and strapless shirts are not allowed. If a student arrives in clothing that is unacceptable, they will be refused entry until it has been corrected.
4) For the safety of our guests, pets are not permitted.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and appropriate environment for our families to enjoy athletic events.
Pizza Night!
Spotlight on ...
Calling all 5th - 8th Grade Students!
You're part of the family too!
All 5th - 8th grade students are invited to attend Marian Central events by using this Activity Pass! Download the pass to your phone and show it at the gate for free admittance.
Come out and support your Hurricanes!
Grandparents Mass
The Tradition Returns
Save the Date: Thursday, October 3rd at 3:30 pm in the Woodstock Square.
Come celebrate your Hurricane pride with our athletic teams and clubs/organizations!
Join the Fine Arts Boosters
Our First Meeting:
Tuesday, September 3 at 6:30 pm in the Annex
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Amy Birkhoff, President (815) 385-8853 tatabirk@hotmail.com
Patty Meyers-Kita, Secretary (847) 650-8671 pbmeyers@sbcglobal.net
Terese Paulson, Treasurer (815) 337-7633 terese.paulson@sbcglobal.net
Parents Association - 1st Meeting
The first meeting of the Parents Association will be
Wednesday, September 4th at 7:00 pm in the Annex.
Come learn more about the events hosted by the MCPA and ways you can help! If you cannot attend and still wish to help, please email Mrs. Bordeaux so we can keep you on email communication. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MCPA!
Be an Athletic Booster!
The first meeting will be on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Marian Central Cafeteria. Please join us and learn ways to support your Hurricanes!
Senior Photos
The 2019-20 school year is underway and it is time to think about Senior Pictures! Each year, these pictures are taken for the senior composite, which is hung in the Commons area and printed in the yearbook. Copies of the photographs may be purchased from DeWane Studio in Woodstock if desired. If you know that you will have special circumstances that preclude your student from participating in pictures at the time or on the day assigned to them, please notify Mrs. DiSilvio at 815-338-4220, ext. 107 or email at ldisilvio@marian.com. Schedules will be posted prior to picture days.
Please remember that these photos are the traditional yearbook “portrait” that features each student’s head and upper torso, which is why we require ALL students to wear dress pants or uniform pants and appropriate shoes.
Senior Women:
...will be photographed on Tuesday, September 17th. Appropriate attire on this day includes dress pants or uniform pants and a blouse or sweater that covers the shoulders. Dresses/skirts are not allowed. No nose rings/studs, facial piercing, and no more than two earrings per ear will be permitted on girls. Since students are expected to follow a full day of course scheduling, appropriate and comfortable shoes are recommended. High heels are discouraged.
Senior Men:
...will be photographed on Wednesday, September 18th. Suitable dress on this day includes a white shirt and tie, a sport coat or suit coat, and dress pants or uniform pants. No nose rings/studs, facial hair, facial piercing, and no earrings will be permitted on boys.
Hair for girls and boys must conform to Student Handbook guidelines.
Thank you for your cooperation and your support of the dress code listed above.
Congratulations as we celebrate this exciting milestone!
College Corner
Financial Aid Information Night will be held on Tuesday, September 24th 2019 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. This program will provide families with an understanding of how families’ financial need is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile and how colleges use that information to award need-based financial aid. This year’s presenter will be Susan Teerink, the Associate Vice Provost for Financial Aid and Enrollment Services at Marquette University. This program is open to students and parents from all grade levels, however junior and senior families are strongly encouraged to attend.
…and now…Mr. Stamatakos’ one weird trick to “game” the college search process!
12 graduates of Marian Central are currently members of our staff. Were you able to guess who they are?
Kaitlin Bordeaux, Admissions & Advancement Director
Megan Graf, Science Department
Tom Kruse, Guidance Department
Steve Lalor, Theology Department
Tim Lalor, Social Studies Department
Ephraim Lee, Math Department
Steve Liggett, Math Department Head
Laura Littner, Social Studies Department
Andrea Radcliffe, English Department
Brittany Solomon, Science Department
Erin Widmayer, Art Department Head
Benji Winkelman, Physical Education Department
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, September 4th - Late Start; Classes begin at 9:45 am