The Black & Gold Report

February 16, 2024 Volume 1 - Issue 22

Dear Saint Families and Friends:

“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves…What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.”

-Catherine Doherty

Greetings from Berks Catholic! Happy Lent! For many people, they don’t typically equate Lent with “happy”. Typically, it is a time of somberness. But as we begin this 40-day season to Easter, let us remember that Lent is a time to reflect on the many pathways to God through prayer, meditation, kindness, fasting and forgiveness. I pray that we allow God to walk with us on this Lenten journey and be open to experiencing God in various ways – prayer, confession, the Stations of the Cross, a kind act. As we do this, let us keep our eyes on Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as we navigate our way through this Lenten journey. Have a blessed Lent and a great weekend.

It’s a great day to be a Saint! Together, we rise!

John Petruzzelli

Principal

610-374-8361 ext. 253

Email: jpetruzzelli@berkscatholic.org

Twitter: jpetrobcsaints

Instagram: john.petruzzelli.9

The Week Ahead

Monday, 2/19

Happy Presidents’ Day

School Closed

Tuesday, 2/20

Course Selection Parent Night with College Counseling

(6:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, 2/21

Lockdown Drill

DECA Club State Competition & Conference

School Mass (9:00 a.m.)

Engineering Field Trip to Alvernia

Thursday, 2/22

DECA Club State Competition & Conference

Friday, 2/23

DECA Club State Competition & Conference

Serenade and Song – Drama Department Fundraiser

(5:00 p.m.)

Let Us Pray…

For the terminally ill and their families that they receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.

For those experiencing food insecurity that they may find a stable source of food and nourishment for their families.

SAINT OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Freshman

Ellie Hook

who was named this week's

Saint of the Week!

Thank you to the Seniors and Juniors who attended our Board of Directors Meeting this past Monday. Students mingled and chatted with Board Members. Our Seniors presented a “Mission Moments” report to the Board on our Four Pillars of God, Family, Academics and Fun. The Senior presenters were: Paisley Lutz, Meghan Munter and Sabrina Roberts. The other students attending were: Senior Gianna Roberts; and Juniors Lukas Arbuckle, Bryce Gumby, Jack Krajsa, Jackson Lago, Nancy Larkin, Isabella Logozzo, Molly McFadden, Noah Newswanger, Grant Partsch, Julian Pichardo and Ben Tomsho.

Thank you to the members of the DECA Business Club who volunteered last Saturday at the Paul Gordon Veterans Center in the Hope Rescue building. The club members helped serve meals to local veterans.

What’s Happening

Lenten Reflection

Pope Francis asks us: Do you want to fast this Lent?

He encourages us to:

Fast from hurtful words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worry and have trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent and listen.

Ash Wednesday

To help understand the significance of Ash Wednesday, Fr. Mike Schmitz shares some impactful words about how the ashes mean we are sinners but the cross on our forehead means that we have a Savior. To watch the video, click here: The Significance of Ash Wednesday - YouTube

Next Generation -Diocese

The Diocese of Allentown is embarking on an initiative that will invigorate the Church for the future. Through this process, this initiative hopes to inspire Catholic leaders to revitalize the Church for a Christ-filled and joy-filled future through a close accompaniment. It will offer support for our Bishop, our priests and our 78 parishes. Read more here:

Diocese of Allentown - Embarking on Next Generation Diocese Initiative

Lenten Retreat Series

The Diocese of Allentown invites you to participate in its 5-week Lenten Retreat Series on “The Mystery of the Eucharist”. The series runs weekly on Monday nights from February 19^th to March 18^th across the Diocese. Adoration and confession take place from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Presentation takes place at 7:30 p.m. and refreshments follow. Click the flyer for further details.

Lenten Retreat Series

Financial Aid Reminder for 2024-25 School Year

All BC students must have a 2024-2025 STS Payment Plan for billing, even if a family intends to make one annual payment. Current Saint families: Your 2023-2024 payment plan information is transferred by STS to 2024-2025. You do not need to create a new plan. If you are adding another child to your existing STS account for 2024-2025, please contact the Tuition Office at tuition@berkscatholic.org with the child’s name, birthdate and 2024-2025 grade.

Any registered BC family may apply to be considered for 2024-2025 financial aid by completing a 2024-2025 STS Financial Aid Application. Please complete your 2024-2025 STS Financial Aid Application by April 15, 2024, for maximum financial aid consideration. Applications will be reviewed by the date that we receive them.

Presidents’ Day

Just a reminder that school is closed next Monday, February 19^th in honor of Presidents’ Day.

Broadway Supper Serenade

SAVE THE DATE!

Broadway Supper Serenade

Friday, Friday, February 23^rd

5:00 – 7:00 P.M.

BCHS Cafeteria.

An enjoyable evening of fun features performances from

Berks Catholic’s Theater & Music Programs,

all while enjoying a delicious pasta dinner, dessert, raffles and more!

Broadway Supper Serenade Flyer

Spring Musical – The Wizard of Oz

“Follow the yellow brick road” over to Berks Catholic in March for our spring musical, The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy is not getting home to Kansas without a little help from all of us! So, dust off your “ruby slippers” because “we’re off to see the Wizard”! The Wizard of Oz is sure to be a great show. Join us on Friday, March 1^st or Saturday, March 2^nd. Both shows start at 7:00 p.m. General admission tickets are available at the door - $10 for adults, $8.00 for Seniors and $5.00 for students.

The Bible by the Numbers

When you want some words on how to get along with others, check out Romans 12.

Lenten Collection

All month, we will be holding a Lenten collection to support our local parish food pantries. Saint Ambassadors will be coming around each lunch period collecting loose change and dollar bills. This is an excellent way to live out one of our Lenten obligations to give alms to those in need. It also applies perfectly with Mr. Petruzzelli’s Lenten challenge to the school community not necessarily to give something up but to be kind(er) this Lent.

Social Media

Did you see our posts this week about the DECA Business Club service project? Keep up with all the happenings at the school on our social media channels. Check out what our students are doing day-to-day in class; important news articles; sports and activities; and more! Be sure to follow the school on social media for all the latest updates, pictures and school information. Facebook: Berks Catholic; Twitter: @BerksCatholic; and Instagram: berkscatholic.

It's a great day to be a Saint!

It's a great day to be a Saint!

Our Mission

Berks Catholic High School is centered on the four pillars of God, Family, Academics and Fun. As a vibrant Christ-centered community, the Administration, Faculty and Staff are dedicated to providing a challenging academic environment for a diverse population of young men and women. Through Christian principles rooted in the Catholic tradition, we strive to positively impact our students spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally, so they can live productive lives of service in this world and attain eternal life.

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