Marian Central Friday Focus

Christians do not grieve like the rest. A lesson I learned from my first pastor. I’m so grateful for the support of Marian Central with his recent unexpected passing. It was providential that just a handful of days later we would gather all the priests of the diocese to spend time together as brothers listening to talks, praying together, and sharing stories and laughs. Each year that time is a nice refresher and breathes new life into my priesthood and into a usually dreary part of the season.

God will breathe new life into Marian this Lent if we let him. I’m happy to say many students took up the invitation to visit the chapel more. Our usual crew of daily prayer-ers are joined by some newer faces. It’s so peaceful and prayerful, but that’s only one part of Lent. Our students are also invited to fast and give alms.

At lunch we go with meatless-options on fridays and I thank our kitchen team for being so flexible and supportive of our Catholic Identity. (Also, did you try the bbq flatbread pizza this week? It was amazing!) Other ways to fast are necessary, regardless of our age, because we can all become a little too attached to things that just don’t matter.

Our school already does so much to serve our community, but if we want new life at Marian then we must examine how we give alms. How we care for one another and find innovative ways to be attentive to each other’s needs. With all these senior nights, it is important to remember that our students don’t stay at Marian forever (as much as we want them too!). Each day we are challenged to live intentionally, only saying and doing the things that need to be said and done. To not fall into bad habits of sarcasm and gossip, but instead to live in a place of gratitude for the gifts of others, especially those closest to us.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Lent must be penitential, but gloominess is not an option. Spring will break through the gloom. We are Marian Central Catholic. We want new life!

Your Brother in Christ,

Fr. Warren

Please join us for the Spring Sports Parent/Athlete Meeting
All student-athletes who are interested in spring sports should attend with a parent

Wednesday, February 21st

6:30 pm

at Marian Central

Meet the Coaches - Meet other Parents - Kick off the season!

Go Canes!

If your student will be absent for more than two days for a pre-planned reason, please notify the office as soon as possible. As noted in the student handbook,

PLANNED ABSENCES: If a student knows in advance that an absence will occur, an Advanced Leave Notice form must be completed and approved by the Administration prior to the absence. Because this form allows the student to be informed of all necessary schoolwork for the days missed, the student should be prepared to have all said work completed and turned in upon return to school.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Johnson at 815-338-4220.

The Advancement team welcomes alumna Vannessa Garrelts ‘18 as our director of communications! After graduating from Marian Central, Vannessa continued her academic and athletic career at Miami University, earning her Bachelor of Science in business supply chain management. After graduating in 2022, she earned her Master of Science in sports administration at Canisius University while continuing her basketball career. We are thrilled to welcome Vannessa back home, where she will oversee all marketing of Marian Central Catholic. Please give a warm Hurricane welcome to Vannessa!

"I am honored and grateful to have this opportunity to return back to a place that means so much to me. Marian has played an important role both in my own life and my family's as I am a second-generation graduate. I am excited to rejoin the Marian family and be able to make an impact in a variety of ways. I look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and making new connections as I take on this role."

Course selections for the 24-25 school year should be made by our current students between February 5 - February 23 on PlusPortals. All of the information you and your student will need to navigate the online process and to make the best course selections is available on our website at: https://www.marian.com/academics/curriculum-guide/.

Parents, it is critical that you play an active role in this process by discussing and reviewing your student's course selections. It will be helpful to have your student fill out the grade-specific Course Selection Worksheet before they select their courses online. The counselors are available for you and your students to assist in this process, as needed. Please contact Mrs. Hilton (khilton@marian.com) for current freshmen and juniors and Mr. Kruse (tkruse@marian.com) for current sophomores and seniors.

Online Course Registration Timeline:

Week of 1/29

Mrs. Hilton, Mr. Kruse and the mentors reviewed the course selection and online course registration process with current students during Advisory

2/5-2/23

Online course registration in PlusPortals

3/6

Course Selection Verification Forms mailed - if a student wishes to adjust his/her course selections after this mailing, they should bring in that form with the change indicated and signed by his/her parent

3/22:

Course Recommendation Forms due - for students who were not initially recommended for a course OR for students who did not meet the prerequisites for a course

Last day to change courses

Deadline to pay Advanced Placement (AP) course fees

It’s time to make your 2024-2025 Registration Fee payment.

The non-refundable registration fee is $300. However, if you submit payment by the end of the day today, February 15, 2024, you receive a $75 discount making the amount due $225. Payment can be made by clicking here (a 4% fee will be applied) or by sending to the office. All returning students will register for courses online. Please click the link below to view the tuition rates for 2024-25.

Marian Central is proud to host a Blood Drive on Friday February 23rd from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm in Landers Pavilion.

Please click here for more information and to register.

It's time to dust off your boots, break out your bling!

Join us for Marian Central's premier fundraising event, where you will enjoy a western-themed night complete with dinner, drinks, live music, casino games and live & silent auctions. For more information and to purchase tickets/sponsor the event, visit marianauction.givesmart.com.

Class Auction Baskets - Donations Needed - THE DEADLINE TO DONATE IS TODAY!

For Marian Central's Gala we are asking you to consider supporting our event, as each class is creating two themed baskets for the silent auction.

Freshmen: Click here to view and sign up for requested items.

Sophomores: Click here to view and sign up for requested items.

Juniors: Click here to view and sign up for requested items.

Seniors: Click here to view and sign up for requested items.

Calling all 5th-8th grade girls basketball players! Join the Jr. Canes Girls Basketball program! Practices will be held on campus at Marian Central Catholic High School. Registration is $360 and includes reversible uniform that girls keep. For more information and to register, visit www.mariancentralgirlsbasketball.org. Deadline to register is March 1, 2024.

Questions? Contact Larry Ferrarini at

mariancentralgirlsfeederbb@gmail.com.

Monday, February 19th - No School; President's Day

Tuesday, February 20th - No School; Teacher Institute

Wednesday, March 6th - Late Start

Monday, March 25 thru Monday, April 1st - Spring Break/Good Friday/Easter Monday - No School

Tuesday, April 2nd - Classes Resume

Wednesday, April 3rd - Late Start

Every year, Marian Central Catholic High School serves as a test center for the ACT in April. This year, the test date will be Saturday, April 13th, 2024. Also know that while we serve as a test center, we are not able to reserve seats for our Marian Central Catholic students. If you are interested in signing up for the April 13th ACT (or the February 10th, June 8th or July 13th at other locations), please register on the ACT Registration website. For the April 13th test here, be sure to use our test center code: 174990.

We will be providing a free practice ACT here at Marian Central Catholic on Wednesday, March 6th after school from 3:00pm - 7:00pm in the library. Space is limited to the first 30 students who sign up. Students can sign up the Practice ACT through the Revolution Prep website. The Revolution Prep website will have links to additional free practice tests as well as some group test prep sessions, which come with a fee.

What can you do this year to make Lent truly special? How can you be fully alive and joyful for His resurrection at Easter? Why not join fellow parishioners for the St. Thomas Light of the World Retreat March 8-11? Prayerfully consider attending this parish-based retreat! Treat yourself and feed your soul. If you feel God is calling you to strengthen or deepen your relationship with Him, register for this retreat by clicking here. The retreat takes place in Lower Pierson. Meals and snacks are provided (18 and older)