September 15, 2016
No School
School will be closed Wednesday, September 21, while teachers attend the Diocesan Educational Conference.

Reconciliation
The York Catholic community will have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation September 19-20  from 9:30-11:30 AM.  Several priests from the York Deanery will be available to hear confessions.  This is a great chance to begin the new school year with a "clean slate" spiritually.  Pope Francis urged, "Everyone say to himself: 'When was the last time I went to confession?'  And if it has been a long time, don't lose another day!  Go, the priest will be good.  And Jesus, (will be) there, and Jesus is better than the priests-Jesus receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be courageous, and go to confession."

Quick Links


Fall Play Auditions
Open auditions for the Fall Play, "A Christmas Carol," will take place Tuesday, September 20, from 3:30-5:30 PM in the auditorium.   Students in grades 9-12 may audition for main character and/or ensemble/"street urchin" choir roles. Students in grades 7-8 may audition for ensemble/"street urchin" choir roles and the role of Tiny Tim.  No advance preparation is needed.  All materials will be provided.  Please bring your calendar to list any conflicts you may have with the rehearsal schedule. A tentative rehearsal schedule will be distributed at auditions.  If you are interested in stage management or crew, please stop by the auditions to sign up.  The performance dates are November 18, 19, and 20.  If you have any questions, please contact play director, Mrs. Shannon Hallisey, at [email protected] .
Junior High Tailgate
Students in grades 7 & 8 who signed up for the Junior High Tailgate should arrive at 5 PM tomorrow.  Some of our 6th grade partner school students will be joining us.  YC students are encouraged to welcome them and talk with them about the first few weeks at YC.  After the tailgate, families can cheer the Irish football team onto victory vs. Berks Catholic. Kickoff is 7 PM. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Chris Herren to Speak to Students
Former NBA player, Chris Herren, will speak to students Thursday, September 22, to share his tale of descent into addiction, his miraculous recovery, and his new life mission: to share his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching at least one person and making a difference in their life.
 
Chris was an All-American, broke scoring records, was recruited by top colleges, was featured in Sports Illustrated and became the focus of an acclaimed book, Fall River Dreams. He realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999 and was traded to the Boston Celtics after his rookie season, but lost it all due to substance abuse.
 
Alcohol and drug-free since August 1, 2008, he has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else. He shares his harrowing story of abuse and recovery in his memoir, Basketball Junkie, as well as in numerous interviews throughout the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, Unguarded, of which he is the subject.
 
We are pleased to have Chris speak at York Catholic as part of his York County tour and sponsored by Dr. Dennis & Mrs. Rosie Johnson & Family in memory of Spencer Kubala, YC class of 2012.  Chris' presentation is not open to the public.  He will be speaking publicly at the Pullo Center on Penn State York's campus Wednesday, September 21, at 7:00 PM sponsored by Not One More York. Call 717-424-8890 or 717-850-6350 for ticket information. 
Mission Collection: Missionary Childhood Association
Our bi-monthly mission collections begin next Tuesday during homeroom.  Students are encouraged to donate to the causes.  Our first collection is to benefit the Missionary Childhood Association, a Roman Catholic mission organization founded in 1843 by a French Bishop (Charles de Forbin-Jansen) for "children to help children."  Contributing his own money, he shared his hope of establishing this organization with his friends. His idea spread, and the work of the Missionary Childhood Association is now in more than 60 nations of the world.
 
Our donations will be sent to our own Diocese in Harrisburg to be used to help children in orphanages, hospitals, impoverished areas, refugee camps, and centers for the handicapped. Sisters who work with children in North and South America, Africa, and Asia also receive some of the money to provide food, medicine, clean water, shelter, and education.
 
Please be generous in our first mission collection of the year, where children all over the world will benefit.  Our goal is to collect a least $5.00 from each homeroom!
New Student Social
Our Alpha student group will be hosting a New Student Social during senior high lunch periods tomorrow in the Career Room. This helps with the transition to a new school and gives our new students some contacts for information and friendships.  All new students are encouraged to attend.
Volleyball for Ovarian Cancer Awareness
York Catholic will be hosting the annual Big 4 Quad Volleyball Matches on Saturday, September 17.  JV and Varsity volleyball teams from Trinity, Berks Catholic, and Delone Catholic will be competing.  All matches begin with JV followed by Varsity at the following times:

9 am       York Catholic vs Trinity 
12 pm     Delone Catholic vs Berks Catholic
3 pm       Trinity vs Berks Catholic
6 pm       York Catholic vs Delone Catholic
 
York Catholic will be wearing special teal jerseys in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.  Come out and support the Irish!
Go Gold!
The Student Council and Varsity Club invite you to Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month at tomorrow night's football game. The two groups will be giving out gold ribbons as they "can" (collect donations) for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey.  Over 15,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States and the mission of The Four Diamonds Fund is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Children's Hospital and their families, through superior care and comprehensive support.  Join us as we unite together to conquer this disease.  
New Student Section


The student section for the football games has moved from behind the goalpost to the bleacher area next to the Marching Band.  Parents who sat in this area in the past will want to sit in the seats closer to the press box or concession stand this season.  Go IRISH!
Partner School Band Camp
York Catholic is hosting an Elementary Marching Band Camp on Saturday, September 24, from 8 AM-2 PM for any 4th, 5th, or 6th grade student who has played a band instrument for at least a year or who would be interested in color guard.  Students will have the opportunity to play level-appropriate Marching Band music, as well as learn basic drill techniques, and basic color guard techniques with a little fun thrown in. A mini-show for parents will take place at 1:45 PM.  Lunch, snack, flipbook, lyre, and music will be provided. Cost is $25 per child, $40 for 2 children, $55 for 3 children.  Please bring a refillable water bottle, comfortable sneakers, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, and comfortable clothing.  Please register by tomorrow by contacting Cecelia Mezza at  [email protected]  or  717-846-8871 x24 .  Click here for the registration form.

Any 6th grade band student who attends a parochial school is welcome to play with the York Catholic Marching Band in the stands at the October 7 football game.  You do not need to attend the mini-camp in order to play with us.  Please email Ms. Mezza if you are interested.  Report time is at 5:45 PM in the YC Band Room. Students can leave at halftime or stay for the full game.
Partner Cheer Clinic
YC's Varsity Cheerleaders will be hosting a Cheer Clinic for students in grades K-6 on Saturday, September 24, from 9 AM-11:30 AM in the gymnasium with a showcase of what was learned performed from 11:45 AM-noon.  Participants will learn cheers, chants, and a dance.  The showcase for parents begins at 11:30 AM.  K-6 cheerleaders who participate will get an opportunity to join the varsity squad on the sidelines at the YC football game on October 7.  Cost for one child is $25, two children are $35, and three children are $45. Registration and payment are due by September 21.  For more information, call Heather Hoffman at  717-846-8871 x20 .  Click here  for the  registration form.
YC Fall Programs




YC Fall Programs will be available for sale at our Varsity Football home opener this Friday, September 16. Gates open at 5:30 PM. Programs highlight our fall sports teams, band, seniors, and our generous supporters. Programs will also be sold during home soccer games, volleyball matches, the remainder of home football games, and in the main office during school hours while supplies last.  Cost is $5.  
Deanery News:  St. Joseph York Cultural Dinner
St. Joseph Parish of York will be hosting a Cultural Pot Luck Dinner on Sunday, October 2, in the school gymnasium. Help is needed October 1 from 10 AM-1 PM to set up tables and decorate. Help is also needed October 2 during the event to clean tables, re-stock supplies, manage the beverage station, etc. Tasks will be assigned the day of the event. Click here to sign-up.  If you have any questions, contact Regina Arnold at [email protected] .
In Case You Missed It...
After the football game last week, the YC Drum Line had a drum battle against Susquehannock in the center of the field.  Our drum line, who has only done this one other time, was nervous, but willing to compete in a friendly challenge.  
 
When the band marched on the field behind the drum line, we were met by approximately 20 members of our football team.  I can't express how much this meant to the drum line, the band and me.  The football team's support of the band was unprecedented in my tenure here and I was truly moved by the display.  The Catholic Crazies were also right on the sidelines as well.  The support of the students and the team made the win even better.  One more moment that shows all of us that we are truly blessed to teach our students at YC!   It is going to be a wonderful year!
 
Here's the link to the drum battle:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRjThQkr9z4
 
Cecelia Mezza
YC Marching Band Director

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Dear Mrs. Seufert,
 
I don't know if you attended the game on Friday night, but I think the school spirit was at an all-time high. The student section was more supportive than ever with larger participation despite the distance to the game. The football players appreciate the turnout and endless support from our fellow classmates.
 
The game was full of sportsmanship which continued throughout the night. Following their halftime show, our marching band received a standing ovation from Susquehannock's band across the field. After the game, both school's drum lines organized a drum off in the center of the field. There, the YC football team, coaches, and cheerleaders rallied around the band to support them. Although they weren't allowed on the field, the student section and parents remained to watch the competition.
 
I thought the support exhibited from all areas of the student body was remarkable, and in all my years at York Catholic, I have never seen anything like this.  I heard from numerous people, including parents, that they enjoyed the night too. I think that we are bringing back the school pride and spirit that has been absent in previous years. More notably, the York Catholic value of family was highlighted that night. In terms of school spirit, it was a pivotal point in our senior class' legacy, and our attitudes and efforts can be seen percolating throughout the under classmen.
 
I just wanted to let you know that the administration's efforts to promote "Values Matter" is being evidenced. Thank you and have a wonderful day.
 
Best Regards,

Adam Bittner
YC Student Council President 
Irish Eye Archives


Previous issues of York Catholic's Irish Eye e-newsletter can be found on the home page of the YC website at www.yorkcatholic.org.

York Catholic High School 
601 E Springettsbury Ave
York PA  17403
717-846-8871 

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