This Christmas we celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis creating the first live nativity, and many say the first creating of a visual of what is recorded in the Gospels. St. Francis wanted to help people appreciate what Jesus accepted to come live among us. Let us use the Christmas Season, which just begins on December 25, to reflect on the gift Jesus is to each of us and to our world. How long shall we continue to celebrate? I would say at least through the feast of the Epiphany (January 7 this year), and some will say until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2 (40 days after we honor the birth of Jesus). I think it is worth remembering that Christmas is more than a day. Perhaps the festivities started weeks ago (as they surely did here at Curley), but they also continue. This is the time to really enjoy all that went into the preparations, and to absorb that Jesus the Messiah came as our Redeemer. Our lives and our world have been changed by this visit of God who took our flesh. Prayers and wishes for a blessed Christmas for you and your loved ones!

-- Fr. Donald '70

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Please know that you and your family will be in my prayers during this holy season. I hope that it is a time of peace and rest for you and your sons. May it also be a time of prayer and rejoicing for all in the Curley Family as we welcome Christ into our hearts and our homes.

As a reminder, we return to classes on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, which will be Day 6 on the school calendar. At that point, we will have two and a half weeks remaining in the second quarter, which ends on January 19. Students should come back to school ready to finish the quarter strong. The first two quarters and the mid-term exams are factored into the semester grade. 

-- Jeremy Joseph '96

I wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope everyone has time to relax and spend time with family and friends. If your son missed a scheduled exam and did not attend the make up session, make up exams will be given the day we return, Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

-- Kenneth Pipkin

Looking for ways to be more involved at Curley? All volunteer opportunities will be included here along with contact information for Parent Groups. 

PARENTS' GUILD --

• Moderator -- Jeremy Joseph, jjoseph@archbishopcurley.org
• President -- Rebecca Landreth, rebeccal8490@yahoo.com

C-NOTES -- 

• Moderator -- Mike Gaffney, mgaffney@archbishopcurley.org
• President -- Jeff Merkle, jmerkle@curleycnotes.org 

FRIAR "C" -- 

• Moderator -- Justin Gordon, jgordon@archbishopcurley.org
• President -- Stephanie Raynor, sraynor@archbishopcurley.org

OPPORTUNITIES --

• Concession Stand:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4AABAF22A4FA7-46057885-friar#/

The Maryland State Council of the Knights of Columbus is the sponsor of several high school scholarships, some for children of members (the Frederick M. Gossman Memorial Scholarships), and others for Catholic students in general (the William J. O’Brien Memorial Scholarships). The awards may be applied to tuition only for the 2024-25 school year. The application period is now open, and all applications must be received in their entirety by the Scholarship Committee no later than February 1, 2024. Scholarship applications are available HERE. If you have a problem accessing the information, Fr. Donald can get you an application packet.

Tickets for the C-Notes' Nite at the Races on Saturday, January 27, are almost gone! There are now less than 35 tickets left for the event. Don't delay and be disappointed. Tickets and horse ownerships are available online or by contacting Ed Lawrence (elawrence@archbishopcurley.org). Tickets are $25 until December 31. As of January 1, if there are any tickets left, they will be $30. Horse ownerships are $20 with the chance to win $100. Go HERE to purchase tickets now!

The Semper Fi Scholarship is open to Catholic students at Curley. The scholarship process involves the completion of an application, along with supporting documents from the parish and the pastor that evidence a commitment by the application and his family to living their Catholic faith. Essays from the parent and student are part of the application.

A student may receive this scholarship in any year of his education, and it is renewable on an annual basis. A committee, comprised of the donor and Archbishop Curley High School administration, will determine the annual awards.

The applicant is responsible for meeting the deadline of January 5, 2024, and having all related materials submitted by that date. Applications, in print or digital form, may be obtained in the Main Office from Mrs. Raynor.

The Curley Used Clothing Winter Sale will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 3:00-6:00 pm in the Auditorium Lobby! Proceeds will benefit the Class of 2026.