Welcome to the Spartan Sentinel, our monthly electronic newsletter for all things DePaul Catholic. |
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The next few days, as we close in on Christmas Day, I am choosing to do my best to stay off the roads and stay away from stores. It will not be easy, but that is the goal.
The MPH on the highways will increase by at least 20 MPH as people race around, in some cases risking their lives, to get to a store. If they make it to the store, they will be greeted by employees who will be joyful and upbeat as they assist you to make the final dash to finish the Christmas list.
There won’t be much talk about why we celebrate Christmas. For many, that has gotten lost in the mayhem of getting ready. Christmas, for many, has become more about stress and less about joy and gratitude. I am not sure if Jesus really wants us to be so exhausted and stressed (and maybe broke) as we celebrate his birthday.
DePaul will honor the senior class, The Class of 2022, with the Senior Mass of Light on Thursday, December 23rd. This tradition began back in the mid 1980s and continues to be a highlight of the senior year experience. The seniors enter the gym last in front of the entire student body carrying an electronic candle and take it to the front of the gym to form a Christmas Tree. The Mass begins and it is dedicated to the seniors. It is a great day.
The tradition of the Mass of Light began, as mentioned above, in the mid 1980s. In those days the seniors carried real lit candles into the gym. It was truly a beautiful and memorable sight. However, as you may recall, the 1980s were the zenith of the high hair days for girls, especially in high school. Hair that was 5 inches to a foot high was commonplace. The hair was held in place by something called AquaNet, a hair spray that was basically glue in a mist. I still recall the aroma in the hallway as the girls all sprayed up before they got the candle for their entry into the Gym.
Well, a very smart teacher finally realized that AquaNet and a flame were a bad combination. So, we had the kids walk 6 feet apart (sound familiar). Last year we had electric candles, however this year we are returning to real candles. Today, the kids still accept walking 6 feet apart as the norm, but thank goodness the high hair and the AquaNet days are behind us.
I mention Mass because, without question, it is the most important part of your Christmas Day. Kids are very aware if their family does not go to Mass, especially if their friends attend. Mass is wonderful, and the best way to spend Christmas morning...together!
Give it a try if it is not your normal routine. You may find Christmas Mass cures some exhaustion, refocuses you on what is really important and sets a great example for your kids….who someday will take your grandchildren to Mass.
From everyone here at 1512 Alps Road...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We hope you have a great day...together!
Faith, Family, Friends
P.S.: Thank you for participating in our Annual Christmas Appeal.
It is still not too late to be part of it!
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Dear Spartan Community:
Hard to believe that we are here at Christmas Break…this is a busy and joyful time of the school year…Senior Class Christmas Lunch…a visit from Santa Claus…Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes at lunch time…all things that remind us of the greatest gift given to us – the Birth of Christ! We also remember the work done for those who are less fortunate than us…the collection of the giving tree gift cards by the Interact Club. All of this speaks to the community of DePaul Catholic High School and the giving nature of our students and staff. It is a blessing for me to serve here!
On Thursday, we celebrate the Senior Mass of Light. Light is the primary symbol of the Advent and Christmas season…the Advent candles…the star on the Christmas tree…the sparkling lights on the inside and outside of homes…all symbols of the Light of Christ entering the world and transforming our lives from darkness to light. One single candle can pierce the darkness…may your lives be that light for everyone that you encounter on your journey of faith.
As you are aware, we can not open the Senior Mass of Light to the entire DePaul Catholic High School Community, but we invite you to celebrate the mass with us via the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 812 3717 9155
Passcode: 4FT4uH
Please visit this newsletter on a regular basis to be brought up to speed on the happenings across the campus. Take the time over the Christmas Break to enjoy time with family and friends. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Holy New Year!
St. Vincent DePaul…Pray for Us!
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Welcome, Future Spartans!
Director of Marketing & Enrollment Management
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We are deep into Admissions Season at DePaul Catholic. Tonight, we will finish our Academic Scholarship Interviews in preparation to review files during Christmas Break. This is our largest group of applicants in over five years! We are very excited to see what these admissions folders hold!
We are currently accepting applications for our 8th Grade Prep and transfer students. Students can still apply for the 9th grade for review on a rolling basis after Christmas. Please use the link below to apply.
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Meet with the Director of Enrollment Management
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Spend A Day As A Spartan
Students MUST register online.
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Alumni & Advancement News
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR THE CLASS OF 1972 ALUMNI!
Our 50th Reunion, a weekend of events to celebrate our memories and make new ones, is coming up in the Fall of 2022! Be sure to receive all the details by emailing your contact information to:
depaul72classreunion@gmail.com
And look for an update on the exact date of the Reunion weekend in the next issue of the Sentinel.
Know someone from the Class of '72? Forward this information to them to keep them in the loop!
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Congratulations to Jacquie Lennon '09 who was married this Fall. Pictured above, is Jacquie, with all of the "DP People" at her wedding. |
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Spartan Nation
Athletic Director
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Signing Day!
Congratulations to our student-athletes who committed to participate in their sport at the collegiate level....
Q'yaeir Price - Rutgers - Football
Edward Conoran - Central Michigan - Football
A'khoury Lyde - Wisconsin - Football
Zachary Zambardi - WPI - Football
Brianna Franco - Felician - Soccer
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Q’yaeir Price of DePaul is the NJ.com Defensive Football Player of the Year, 2021 |
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Q'Yaeir Price (5) of DePaul reacts after stuffing Red Bank Catholic on third down in the third quarter during the NJSIAA Non-Public B Football Final between DePaul and Red Bank Catholic at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Friday, November 26, 2021. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
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Once again the DePaul Catholic community proves the Spartan Spirit is alive and well! Thousands of pounds of thanksgiving food were collected by the DePaul Catholic Interact Club for the benefit of our local Catholic charities. Many people will enjoy food given by the beautiful and generous hearts of our school community! |
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DePaul Staff Member, Desi Maik, performs the National Anthem for the NY Yankees. |
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DePaul Catholic Parents’ Association
WHAT’S THE SCOOP?
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Our next Parents’ Association meeting is Tuesday, January 11th at 7pm in the Cafeteria. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. We want to hear all of your ideas no matter how big or small. We are looking for new members to volunteer and lead new committees such as a Spring Fling and Fall Harvest. We are working on an event to spotlight the Arts at DePaul such as Voice, Theater, Drawing, Sculpting, Dance, etc. If you are interested in helping to get these new ideas off the ground, come to our next meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!
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From The TRICKY TRAY COMMITTEE
We are excited to announce the theme for this year’s Tricky Tray….
Save The Date....Thursday, April 7, 2022 at the
Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, NJ.
Below is a list of the Tricky Tray Committees.
Ad Journal, Basket Making, Decorating, Dinner Tickets, Female Models, Male Models, 50/50 (Night Of), Prize Runner, Prize Tickets, Prize Wheels, Publicity, Set Up, Solicitation, Super 50/50 Raffle, Wine Pull
If you are interested in joining any committees, please contact:
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From The CALENDAR RAFFLE COMMITTEE
Keep selling your raffle sheets! If you are unable to sell your sheets, PLEASE return them to the main office. Completed sheets can also be handed in to the main office.
The first drawing is Dec. 24! They make a great stocking stuffer!!!
If you have any questions, please contact:
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From The SNACK STAND
The DePaul Catholic Parents Association has a new volunteer opportunity for your consideration. We will be adding to our snack stand volunteer opportunities by taking over the concessions and maybe the ticket sales at the girls and boys home basketball games. Click here Winter Snack Stand for more information and to sign up! Thank you for all of your support!
If you have any questions, please contact:
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The holidays are upon us. Are you making your list and checking it twice? If you are making purchases on Amazon, please consider supporting DePaul at no extra cost with
Choose DePaul Catholic High School Inc as your charitable organization and let the shopping begin!
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Are you cleaning up for the holidays?
Just drop your items that are ready to move on into the bins at the back of the parking lot. It’s an easy way to help DePaul, help those in need, and make some much needed room!
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PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Advisor- Sr. Jeanne Agans Co-Presidents- Kim Wilderson and Julie Sullivan
Secretary- Leslie Minuitti Treasurer- Veronica Corbutt Hospitality- Deb Murray, Laura Lee
Calendar Raffle- Rosa Calle-Pont, Najat Rosario Tricky Tray- Janelle Feather, Giselle Micchio
Snack Stand- Allison Beshada, Laura Lee Public Relations- Brenda Salamon
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