school yard stories

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Congrats Bishop Shanahan

Congratulations to Bishop Shanahan's girls volleyball team that won the PIAA Class AAA state championship Nov. 14 for the first time in school history. They beat Allentown Central Catholic 3-0 at Central York High School. Emily Carlin was named tournament MVP.

To honor the champs, there will be an assembly this Friday, Nov. 21., at 8:30 a.m. at Shanahan.

Assistant athletic director Sandra Young said of the team, "They are truly women of virtue who love God, one another, Shanahan and volleyball."

Members of the team and coaches depicted in the photo are:
Back row: Coach Pat Rucker, Coach Michele Lott, Allison Lott, Head Coach Greg Ashman, Summer Jaros, Nicki Ruszkay, Natalie DiRitis, Allson Lott and Susan Frick
Middle row: Kristina Dale, Gabby Nagy, Cait Watson, Kelly Hutchison, Claire Keating, Amanda Nickels, Julie Joyce, Maria Ficca and Natalie Homyak.
Front row with trophy: Captains Katie Pisano, Emily Carlin and Grace Capuzzi.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Faith, Hope, Phils

The Phillies are set to play Game 6 of the World Series in almost 4 hours, and I'm already nauseous. But if any team can come back from a 3-1 deficit, it's the Phillies. So let's have faith in their talents. That's what got them here for a second time, afterall.

I'm sure God will here tons of prayers tonight. Here's one to start with from Romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" and let's go fightin Phils!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Trust in God amid troubling times

The Archdiocese announced sad news yesterday -- the closing of Cardinal Dougherty and North Catholic High Schools. I know hearing their worst fear become a reality is hard for all the alumni, faculty, staff, current students and their families.

I know because I went through it myself at the grade school level at St. Callistus School in the Overbrook section of the city. I found out mid-way through my seventh grade year that the school was closing in June. Considering I started there in kindergarten and my mom and three siblings were grads, it was tough. Couldn't they keep the school open for one more year? My classmates and I were devastated.

So, we protested and rallied and prayed. But come June, the school still closed. This caused our class, the majority of us together since kindergarten, to break up and go our separate ways, along with the almost 200 other students.

Some friends made the move to the suburbs and the rest went to other neighborhood Catholic Schools. Most kids went to St. Donato. Not me though. I decided to go to St. Laurence in Upper Darby because I couldn't bring myself to attend a school that was our "rival!" Talk about stubborn.

Regardless of where we all ended up, it was a difficult transition to say the least. But after a couple months, we realized that what we learned and experienced at St. Callistus was a part of us -- and no person or school would ever take that away.

I'm sure the students at Dougherty and North are still coping with the heartbreaking news. But after some time, I'm sure they, too, will realize that regardless of where they go next year, North and Dougherty will always be a part of them that no one can take away.

Some may remain angry or sad or bitter for a long time. And this is where God comes in. He has a plan for all of us; we just have to trust Him.

Psalm 4:
"Answer when I call, my saving God.
in my troubles you cleared a way;
show me favor; hear my prayer...
Know that the Lord works wonders for the faithful;
the Lord hears when I call out.
Tremble and do not sin;
upon your beds ponder in silence.
Offer fitting sacrifice
and trust in the Lord."

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New look for CS&T

Tomorrow's issue will debut a new look for the Catholic Standard & Times. After 17 years, the CS&T will have a new logo, new sections in the paper, new style of font and overall new layout. All this is the result of hard work by our graphic design team.

Many our readers have been subscribing to the paper for years. They're most likely comfortable with the current design and format and getting used to the new style may take a little time. Let's be honest, a lot of people don't like change.

To those who feel this way, I'll borrow a quote from Winston Churchill: "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction."

I can confidently say that the changes made to the CS&T are definitely in the right direction. They meet the needs of changing times in the newspaper industry and give the paper more appeal aesthetically.

Of course, amid these changes, the mission of the paper will remain the same, to spread the Good News of Jesus and His gospel. With this as our ultimate goal, we hope the new design increases our readership and more people experience the Good News offered on the pages of the Catholic Standard & Times.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

And I would walk 500 miles...

Ok, 300. But still an amazing feat for six Franciscan Friars who walked from Roanoke, Va., to Washington, D.C., in attempt to model their founder, St. Francis of Assisi, the traveler who spent time with the poor, sick and outcast and truly lived out the vows of charity and poverty.

"They tried to live by the ascetic rules Jesus laid out for his 12 disciples: "Take nothing for the journey -- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic." The less they brought, they reasoned, the more room they could leave for God. The friars did make a few modifications, carrying a toothbrush, a wool blanket, water and a change of underwear ("a summer essential," one explained), as well as one cellphone in case of emergency."

Read the rest of this story written by William Wan of the Washington Post by copying and pasting the link below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/28/AR2009072803220.html?sid=ST2009072803246

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Neumann-Goretti has best athletic department in PA

Congratulations go out to Neumann-Goretti High School in South Philly -- its athletic department was named best in the state by si.com.

This honor is a great way to recognize the hard work of athletic director Chip Reitano and his staff as well as the coaches, administrators, school faculty and athletes there.

There are over 800 high schools in PA! What an amazing feat, not only for Neumann-Goretti but for Catholic education in general!

Read the list of the top athletic programs in the country HERE.