As we begin the shortest month of the year, I'd like to highlight six reasons this is the best time of the year on the Hill!
First, FaithFest 2025! A unique combination of our traditional WinterFest and National Catholic Schools Week, we had wall-to-wall fun and focused on Catholic education and class competitions. The week began on Monday, January 27, with our All-School Mass and ended on Friday, January 31, with the Golden Paddle Competition. (I know this did NOT occur in February, but it was close!)
February is Black History Month, a time for us to reflect on the many contributions of Black Americans in our country. Please click here to read the message from Chief Mission Integration Officer Matt Gring as he discusses our commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness not just in February but every day at Cathedral.
Our largest single fundraising event is a fantastic, fun, and friend-raising event! The 48th annual Shamrauction is on February 22. I hope to see you there!
As a lead-in to Ash Wednesday and Lent, Mardi Gras and Carnaval are late this year, the first week of March. That said, our work executing our mission each day doesn't wait until Lent. Our 1,125 students have the opportunity every day in February to participate in Holy Mass at 7:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. and have numerous opportunities to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation right on our campus. Of course, daily prayer and service opportunities are always present here on the Hill, as we do our best to bring Christ to our young people every day! Father Jomy Mathew, C.S.C., Father Geoff Mooney, C.S.C., Brother Matt Rehagen, C.S.C., and Sister Mary Ann Stewart, S.P., help lead us in all of these faithful activities, and we are incredibly grateful for them. We've also been blessed to have two Holy Cross novices spend a few weeks with us, Nathaniel Bald, C.S.C. and Nicholas Rocha, C.S.C. We are grateful for their time with us and continue to pray for their ministerial work.
February is a great month to see our Irish students in action! Show Choir, Theatre, Bowling, Swimming, Boys and Girls Hoops, Wrestling, and Speech/Debate are just some of the activities our students are engaged in, and they continue to be educated in their hearts and minds, in and out of the classroom. Come and support them if you can!
The Presidents' Day Holiday is February 17 this year, and that is MY birthday also! (President's Day, after all!). I am sure our students and educators will enjoy a little extra sleep that day!
In addition to an exciting month ahead, the enthusiasm for our new Principal, Mark Matthews, is palpable. He brings a unique blend of wisdom, experience, and faith to the position and is already leading our educators and students with these sublime qualities. One of his areas of expertise (besides Civil War historical anecdotes) is his ability to navigate the changing landscape regarding our state's graduation requirements. Stay tuned for more on this as it develops. Mark was also the primary driving force behind our J-Term program (which was another huge success this year), and we continue to refine that model for experiential learning for our students, again in and outside the classroom. In short, Mark is the optimal leader for our school at this time in history. Wisdom and faith never go out of style, and Mark has both qualities while being an innovative and creative educator.
Thank you for your prayers and support of our beloved Cathedral High School. We sincerely appreciate the prayers, and support of any kind is greatly appreciated. I hope to see you at any of our February events, and perhaps our auction on the 22nd. Until then, be well, may God be praised, and Go Irish!
