POPE FRANCIS 10th ANNIVERSARY – On March 13, 2023, the Church marks the 10th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires was elected March 13, 2013 in the conclave to become the first pope from the Americas. As the 265th successor to Saint Peter, he was the first pope to take the name of Francis, a name chosen in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi because he wanted “a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). Francis, age 86, was preceded by Pope Benedict XVI who resigned as pope in February 2013, the first to do so in six centuries. Read Pope Francis’ full biography on the Vatican website. (Source: USCCB)
CONGRATULATIONS JAZZ BAND – We are excited to share that our CCHS Jazz Collective had a very successful and rewarding experience at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District Jazz Festival. The festival was held at the Northview HS Max Colley Performing Arts Center and included school ensembles from throughout the greater Grand Rapids area. In addition to performing our prepared materials the band received a clinic from Dr. Andrew Rathbun from the WMU School of Music.
SPRING MUSICAL – Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Catholic Central HS’s production of the timeless classic “The Wizard of Oz”. CC Theatre is proud to present this family-friendly performance of the 1939 movie with all its memorable moments and music! Shows will be held March 22-25, 2023 at 7:00 PM and March 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506. $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Tickets will be available for purchase starting Monday, March 13th. You can purchase tickets online here or by calling the box office at (616) 456-6656.
MODEL UN NEWS – Five positions are still available on the Model UN team traveling to Michigan State for a conference March 24-26. The positions include nations solving the global teacher shortage, solving micro-plastics pollution, Asian labor rights and a fictional committee on Global Repatriation following the “blip” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (think Falcon and Winter Soldier, Marvel fans). Interested? See Mr. Schrems for details.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Eggstranvaganza is on March 25th from 10am-1pm and we are looking for some help. We need many people to help set up, run, and clean up the craft/cookie stations.
Please click on the LINK to sign up to help out!!! And there WILL be Pizza!!!! Please contact Mrs. Bandlow at tracybandlow@grcatholiccentral.org with any questions.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY – Do you love horses? Do you love working with children? Do you have two hours a week to spend in a worthwhile endeavor? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, then you are just the volunteer Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding in Rockford, MI is looking for! Lesson volunteers are desperately needed to assist with therapeutic horseback riding sessions for people with disabilities ages 2 through 100. Classes run Monday through Thursday morning to evening. Additional volunteers are also needed in all areas at this non-profit organization from farm maintenance, office assistance, event planning and more! No experience is necessary – all training is provided. You can find more information https://equestcenter.org/volunteer/ or find us on Facebook. Join the team today! Make new friends, learn new skills and most importantly, make a difference in the life of a very special rider!
Volunteer Orientation Dates (to RSVP for a Volunteer Orientation, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at ToniCummings@equestcenter.org):
- Saturday, April 1st 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, May 13th 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, June 3rd 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, July 8th 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, August 5th 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, September 2nd 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, October 14th 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Saturday, November 4th 10:00am – 12:00pm
CAREER TALKS – We have quite a few Career Talks coming up between now and Spring Break.
These will all count for STEAM hours as well. Sign-up during Focus Times.
- 3/14 – Dave Aten Career Talk – Architect – Architect at Becker and Sanders Construction
- 3/21 – Katherine Broaddus Career Talk – Attorney – School Law, Attorney, Thrun Law Firm – CC Alumnus
- 3/28 – Sarah Eyk Career Talk – Art/Marketing – Fine Arts Photography and Marketing Ferris Coffee and Nut – CC Alumnus
STANFORD UNIVERSITY MENTORS QUALIA GLOBAL SCHOLARS – This program is a selective pre-collegiate virtual summer program matching talented students in grades 6-12 with Stanford mentors. It is organized by Stanford University undergraduate and graduate students for pre-collegiate students around the world with diverse backgrounds and interests. This program is designed to leverage the best of liberal arts & STEM education and to empower students to become future global leaders. Top projects receive special awards in various categories. Need-based financial aid is available. Please see the attached FLYER for more information and find the application link at: www.qualiahq.com
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ESSAY CONTEST – Submissions are being welcomed for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ first Religious Liberty Essay Contest. The competition is open to high school juniors and seniors. The essay prompt and submission information are available at www.usccb.org/religious-liberty-essay. Essays are due March 24. Winners will be announced in May. We have an excellent panel of judges, with representatives from Notre Dame Law School, the University of Dallas, and Becket. The first-place essay will be published in Our Sunday Visitor, and the author will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Second place will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and third place will receive a $500 scholarship. All three winning essays will be published on the USCCB website. We will also acknowledge the school that submits the most essays. If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Weldon at aweldon@usccb.org.
VOCATIONS SCHOLARSHIP – The Diocese of Grand Rapids is offering $1,000 Vocation scholarships to students who are discerning a priestly or consecrated life vocation. Please see the attached form for students to fill out and the flyer about the scholarship. Awards will go towards tuition and may be renewed. All applications are reviewed by Fr. Stephen Durkee. Applicants must meet the following qualifications.
- A Catholic high school student in the Diocese of Grand Rapids (sophomore or higher grade)
- A participant in the school’s discernment program (see application form for details)
- A participant in the diocesan discernment program for at least one year (for male candidates)
- Available to meet with a religious sister once a semester (for female candidates not attending a discernment program)
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS – Here are the current scholarship opportunities available to students. Please note the due dates for each scholarship; Scholarships are listed in order of their due date.
- The Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids – Due 3-15-2023
- ChoiceOne Bank – Due 3-17-2023
- The Alsame Scholarship – Due 3-17-2023
- Better Business Bureau Trust Scholarship – Due 3-20-2023
- Community West Credit Union – Due 3-22-2023
- Colleges That Change Lives – Due 3-24-2023
- Kampfschulte Scholarship – Due 3-29-2023
- Hernes Scholarship – Due – 3-29-2023
- MSU-Jim Brown & Katherin Brown Scholarship – Due – 3-30-2023
- 2023 Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driver Awareness Scholarship – Due – 3-31-2023
- UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program – Due – 3-31-2023
- WID (Women in Defense) Junior Horizon Award – Due – 3-31-2023
- Michigan Retailers Association – Due 4-1-2023
- The Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Due – 4-1-2023
- National CCAA Scholarship – Due 4-1-2023
- Foundation for Fraternal Excellence – Men’s College Scholarship – Due – 4-3-2023
- Educators Rising – Due 4-3-2023
- Maureen Fielder Scholarship – Due 4-10-2023
- Scholarship Guidance – Multiple Dates
- Fastweb – Multiple Dates
- Student Scholarships – Multiple Dates
COLLEGE VISITS – The following colleges have scheduled informational meetings during Focus periods. The meetings are open to students in grades 10-12. Please sign up in Focus.
- 3/14/2023 – Butler University
- 4/13/2023 – Lake Superior State
COLLEGE FAIR – Please join us for the National Christian College Fair West Michigan region on 3/14/2023 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm hosted at Grand Rapids Christian High School, Quest Center, 2300 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. We will have 30+ Christian colleges from all over the United States and Canada looking forward to connecting with great students like you!
Register at: https://www.findyourchristiancollege.com/college-fairs/west-mi-christian-college-fair.
This event is open to the public. High school students in 9th – 12th grade, transfer students and their families are welcome. See you there!
LOOKING AHEAD FOR LUNCH – All entrees are served with fruit, veggies, and milk
- Monday, March 13 – BBQ Chicken Wrap
- Tuesday, March 14 – Beef Burrito
- Wednesday, March 15 – Pepperoni Pizza
- Thursday, March 16 – Meatball Sub
- Friday, March 17 – Cheese or Veggie Pizza
BLESSING OF THE DAY – May the God of Vitality be with you, filling you with life and love, bringing you to a place of energy and eagerness, calling you to happiness and freedom. May this God also be with you in times of d
