December 15, 2021 | Issue 17
Important news this week!
Panther Spirit Shoppe
Christmas Shopping!
Take time this week to finish some of your Christmas shopping by ordering online or by stopping by the Spirit Shoppe.

When you stop by please be sure to give your best to Leslie Szalai, as she will be exploring another new adventure after the first of the year. We are so thankful for Leslie's gift of time, talent, and treasure over the past several years. She has certainly put the "Spirit" into the Spirit Shoppe. Leslie's creativity and experience will be greatly missed. All the best to Leslie!

  • Tuesday | 8am-1pm
  • Wednesday | 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Thursday | 8 am - 1 pm
  • Friday | Special Hours | 8 am - 11am
Campus Ministry
3rd Week of Advent Reflection
Joy is the love that God pours into our hearts. Joy is a little bit different than happiness. Joy fills us up and radiates through us, inspiring us to do good in our lives.  Happiness is momentary, like receiving a gift you wanted. 

I am so glad that God gave us the gift of joy because it is so wonderful. One of the four themes of Advent is JOY, reminding us of the joy of Jesus’s birth. We rejoice in Advent as we wait to celebrate all that the Lord has done for us.
-Autumn Schmotzer '23

Prayer for those suffering from COVID
Merciful God, hear our fervent prayer for our Elyria Catholic friends and families who suffer from the coronavirus. May they receive the proper treatment and the comfort of your healing presence. May their caregivers, families, and neighbors be shielded from the onslaught of the virus. Please help us to rise above fear. We ask this through the intercession of Mary and in the name of your Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Kairos is coming in February

Attention parents of Juniors and Seniors: our 4th annual Kairos retreat is taking place February 24-27, 2022 at St. Leonard Youth Retreat Center in Avon. Please save the date and look for further information after Christmas break!
Panthers Prowl with Pride
Sophomores are HOBY bound!

Congratulations to sophomores Alyssa Nagel and Elizabeth George for being chosen to represent our school at HOBY this upcoming summer! Thank you to all students who submitted applications and were interested in developing leadership skills!
EC Esports News
Center for Student Excellence


Service, Job & Career Opportuntiies
Zoom into Your Future, Part II

An architectect will be on campus in person to talk about his career, offer advice, and answer questions. Concurrent sessions will be held during the three lunch periods. Students are asked to register online and bring their lunch to the program, which will be held in Pillar Place.
 
Architecture – Thursday, December 16 - https://forms.gle/KYUfPXPYH1M3NVpW8 
 
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Judy Mey, EXP3 Coordinator & Career Coach at Mey@elyriacatholic.com
Follow us!
EXP3 has a new Instagram account. Please follow us!
https://www.instagram.com/exp3_panthers/
Parental Mental Health Tip of the Week:
Tackle troubling thoughts. Sometimes the brain can play tricks on us. We’ve all had something unsettling cross our minds or have assumed someone was mad at us when they weren’t. Break down problem thoughts and bring your teen back to reality. For instance, if they think that a friend doesn’t like them anymore, ask them why they think that and if their friend did anything to make them think that way. Or if they are worried that you are going to get hurt in a car accident, remind them that you drive safely to and from work and/or school every day and that your car has airbags to help keep you safe. If there seems to be a bigger problem with anxiety or depression, take the Parent Screen at mhascreening.org to see if professional help may be needed.Adapted from Mental Health America, "Helping at Home: Tips for Parents"
Reminder:
Seniors, please submit copies or forward emails of your acceptance letters to schools to Mrs. Mendez at mendez@elyriacatholic.com or by stopping by the office. Thank you!
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted our children’s behavioral health, and we know that the best place for children is in school full time. Many of you have built strong relationships with your local ADAMH boards to help connect students and their families to local community resources. Alternatively, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services created the COVID-19 Careline – 1-800-720-9616 – where mental health professionals are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. They are trained to de-escalate potential crisis situations and connect callers to local providers who can offer support.
Philanthropy & Engagement
The written Elyria Catholic Annual Appeal to support the Panther End (formerly known as the Annual Fund) will not arrive in your mailboxes until after the first of the year. If you wish to make a donation for tax year 2021, please mail your check payable to Elyria Catholic to Elyria Catholic High School, Office of Philanthropy & Engagement, 725 Gulf Rd., Elyria, OH 44035 or visit www.elyriacatholic.com/give!

The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted last December, provides several provisions to help individuals who give to charity. The new law extends through the end of 2021 some temporary tax changes originally enacted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 
Individuals who elect to take the standard deduction, including married individuals filing separate returns, can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made to qualifying charities during 2021. The maximum deduction is increased to $600 for married individuals filing joint returns. 

Individuals who itemize deductions may deduct cash gifts up to 100% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) instead of the usual 60% limitation. 
 
Elyria Catholic High School is a 501(c)(3) qualifying charity and would be grateful for your gift to continue our mission of educating young men and women in the Catholic tradition in Lorain County. The Panther Fund benefits every student, every day, every way!