Bishop Timothy Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, released the

following statement yesterday on the terrorist attack against Israel and the continuing conflict in the Holy Land:

Like many, I found myself lost for words this weekend when I heard of the horrific violence Hamas unleashed on our Israeli brothers and sisters. My heart is heavy as news reports continue to detail the evil being inflicted, with no regard for the welfare of innocent civilians, no regard for women, children, and the elderly. 

I join in echoing Pope Francis who said on Sunday, “May the attacks and weaponry cease. Please! And let it be understood that terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.” 

I call on all people of our Diocese to pray without ceasing for all those killed, displaced, and impacted by this terrorist attack. We pray God will grant eternal rest to the deceased, console those grieving, comfort those in fear, and guide our world leaders so this conflict may be brought to an end. 

To the Jewish community in Central Pennsylvania, we stand in solidarity with you, praying that peace will come to the Holy Land.

The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior will be making his first visit to York Catholic since being appointed bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg in April by His Holiness, Pope Francis. Bishop Senior will celebrate Mass on Thursday, October 19, at 10:15 AM with the 7th through 12th grade students. At this time, Bishop Senior will also commission our senior students who have been selected to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. They will assist Father Kuchinski in distributing Holy Communion at our school Masses this year.

York Catholic Middle & High School is celebrating the successful completion of its “Grow Today, Impact Tomorrow” Capital Campaign with the dedication of the new Rosary Walk by Bishop Senior on Thursday, October 19, at 11 AM.  

Raising over $12 million in five years, York Catholic has renovated over 40 classrooms with facility wide air-conditioning, upgraded and modernized science labs, renovated and relocated the chapel to the main lobby, installed an elevator, and created a new Student Center that includes a Media Center and College and Career Readiness Center. 

Campus improvements included the installation of a Rosary Walk as a peaceful place of reflection and prayer that joins the middle school and high school.  Additional enhancements included parking lot and sidewalk improvements, wayfinding directional signage, and a turf athletic field, bleachers, press box, and concession stand at the athletic stadium. 

The Rosary Walk is comprised of engraved stones to represent the beads of the rosary.  A statue of Mary, the Mother of God and Patroness of York Catholic, is the center point of the rosary.  A wooden crucifix is at the base of the rosary, and the grounds are filled with plants, flowers, shrubbery, and trees.  The Good Shepherd brick mural that stood on the former Glen-Gery Brick property at the corner of Boundary and Albemarle was relocated to campus and will serve as a welcoming entrance to the Rosary Walk. Engraved bricks also adorn the walkway within the Rosary Walk.

Thank you to our parents, alumni, businesses, foundations, and friends who made this Capital Campaign a great success!

In order to maintain the lowest tuition fee possible, each family is asked to participate in 2 fundraisers per year (actual cost to educate each student is over $12,500.00, but families only pay a maximum of $7,900).  

The YC Christmas Cash Calendars will be sold from October 6-27 for $25 each. Each calendar purchased will have a four-digit number and will enter the buyer in a daily drawing for the month of December. Each day of December has a different payout assigned. When we pull a purchaser’s calendar number on a specific date in December, they will win the amount noted on that date. Every purchaser has 31 chances to win, coordinating with the 31 days of the month. Winners will be posted on the YC website, www.yorkcatholic.org, and will be notified by email. The winner does not need to be present to win. Winning raffle amounts will be mailed weekly. 

All orders will be placed online at https://yorkcatholic.org/yc-christmas-cash-calendar from October 6-27. Numbered calendars labeled with the purchaser's name will be sent home to the selling family for distribution in mid-November.  

If you have any questions about the YC Christmas Cash calendar raffle, please contact Mr. David Butler, Sr. at dbutlersr@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871.

Thank you in advance for making this a successful fall fundraiser! 

In preparation for the colder months ahead, we have updated our "One Call Now" Emergency Notification System.  In the event our school schedule is adjusted due to weather, a phone call and an email will be sent to the contact information we have on file. 

A text option is also available.  If you opted-in to receive text messages last school year, you do not need to do anything additional.  If you would like to begin receiving text messages this year, you must "opt-in" to receive text notification. 

To do so, text the word ALERT to the number 22300.  Do not include any words other than the word ALERT.  

After doing so, you will no longer receive a phone call at that number and will only receive a text message. 

If you do not want to receive text notification, you do not have to do anything.  Your phone number and email address from our Focus system have automatically been entered into the One Call Now system.

We need your help in filling our cafeteria positions! Please spread the word.

York Catholic Middle & High School is seeking to fill the following positions.  

• Substitute Teachers
• Cafeteria Aide
• Cafeteria Volunteers

If you or someone you know might be interested in joining our team, please click the button below for complete information.

October’s Mission Collection is for the rebuilding and aid of residents of Maui following the catastrophic wildfires earlier this year.

While it may no longer dominate the news headlines, the struggle continues for the residents of Maui. The recent wildfires have had a devastating impact on the region. Dozens of people have been killed, and many others are missing. More than 3,000 homes were destroyed, and 6,000 people are still displaced. Please keep the people of Maui in your prayers.

In response, the Knights of Columbus Charities Disaster Relief Fund was established to ensure they can provide support in Maui. 100% of donations will support recovery efforts in Hawaii.

Let us remember the words that our Lord Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 25:40 “Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Our October Mission Collection will be held during homeroom Wednesday, October 18.

photo credit: Stevens Point Journal

The 2023 Pennsylvania March for Life is an excellent opportunity for advocates of life of all ages and backgrounds from across the state to join with one voice on behalf of the defenseless. A group of York Catholic students will be attending the PA March for Life on October 16 in Harrisburg. The day starts with Mass at the Cathedral before moving to the front steps of the Capitol Building. You can be a part of it too. For more details, you can check the Pennsylvania March for Life website by clicking the button below.

The senior class will attend an overnight retreat October 16-17 at the Black Rock Retreat Center in Quarryville. This is a great opportunity for students to bond with classmates, spend time in prayer, and truly “retreat” from school and the daily stresses of life. The retreat will begin Monday at 8:15 AM with students returning at approximately 3:00 PM Tuesday to YC. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Patrick Gill, Spiritual Life Coordinator, at 717-846-8871 x1007 or pgill@yorkcatholic.org.

Student pictures were taken last week for inclusion in the yearbook and for your purchase.  You will be receiving the proofs in approximately 4 weeks.  If you would like the photo re-taken or if your child was absent for the first photo, the picture re-take day is Friday, November 10.  More details will be in the Irish Eye e-newsletter on November 2 and 9.

In preparation for changing the uniform dress code for the 1st and 2nd marking periods, York Catholic is hosting a uniform exchange to assist students who are in need of uniform items.  The uniform exchange will be available for trades and purchases on Wednesday, October 18, from 3:30-5 PM.  Walk-ins on days other than this date cannot be accommodated.  If you need uniforms, bring your gently worn items for an even trade or purchase some at a reduced price:  skirts $10, pants $8, sweaters $6, shirts $4.  Uniforms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

All York Catholic juniors will take the PSAT on Monday, October 23. York Catholic takes care of registration and payment for this test. The test will begin at 8:30 AM; students who arrive late to school on testing day will not be permitted to take the exam. 

For best results on the PSAT, students should have a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast on testing day. Students need to come prepared with #2 pencils as well as a graphic or scientific calculator. The PSAT tests students on Reading, Writing, and Math, and is an invaluable practice test preceding the SAT. Practice test manuals were distributed in homerooms, and juniors are encouraged to take time to become familiar with the test format. 

College Financial Aid Night

A College Financial Aid Night is planned for families on Tuesday, October 31, at 6:30 PM at YC. A representative from the Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will speak about all aspects of financial aid including state and federal grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships. The evening will also include information about completing the FAFSA application for college financial aid. Parents and students who have not yet had the experience of completing the state and federal financial aid forms will find the information extremely valuable. While this presentation is geared toward parents, students are welcome to accompany their parents to get an understanding and appreciation of the financial obligation of a college education. Register by emailing your name to YC College and Career Advisor, David Butler, at dbutler@yorkcatholic.org.

YCAL Partnership

The York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL), is an organization unique to York County, offering students free career exploration and job shadowing opportunities through partnerships with local businesses. With the goal of helping students make informed career decisions, YCAL’s programming is diverse and offered at over 30 different on-site host locations. Last year, York Catholic had 48 students participate in the program. This fall, YCAL is offering exploration opportunities in the following career fields: automotive, marketing & social media, health care, athletic training, law, performing arts, accounting, financial services, criminal justice & forensics, media, information technology, and engineering. Applications for the fall session are now being accepted and space is limited. Click here for more information and the application form:  https://ycal.us/

College Reps Visiting YC

The York Catholic Guidance Office is hosting numerous admissions representatives from colleges and universities to speak to our students about their schools. These presentations are for informational purposes and questions and answers, not Admissions interviews. Students in grades 11 and 12 should sign up in the guidance office to attend the presentations.  

10/20 Arcadia University

10/23 Gettysburg College

10/23 Misericordia University

10/25 Alvernia University

10/25 Temple University

10/25 Marywood University

10/26 Ursinus College

10/27 Loyola University Maryland

10/30 Salisbury University

Our Environmental Science students will visit the York Water Wastewater facility and the York County Solid Waste Authority on Friday, October 13, to supplement their studies.

Congratulations to the following 7th grade students who have been elected as Student Council class representatives and will be inducted Friday, October 20, at 8:25 AM. 

Shown left to right - front row: Ava Thoman, Addison Shepheard, Abby Bullen. Back row - Cadence Wilson, Jonathan Baker, Jacob DiLuca, Jimmy Sprunger, Lillian Waltersdorff.

The 7th & 8th Grade students are invited to the Middle School Dance on Friday, October 20, from 7-9 PM in the cafeteria. Tickets are on sale during homeroom October 16-20. Cost is $6. This is a casual, not formal dance. Please refer to the After-school Dress Code guidelines on pages 19-20 in the Student Handbook/Agenda. 

York Catholic’s Marching Band will be touring to our York partner schools Wednesday, October 18, to help promote a love for music and to encourage elementary students to learn how to play an instrument and eventually become a member of YC’s marching band!

Parents of music and choral students are welcome to attend the York Catholic Music Association meeting on Tuesday, October 17, at 8 PM. The meetings usually last approximately one hour and everyone’s input and feedback are welcomed and appreciated. Your help in planning and implementing the efforts of the YCMA are critical.

Please support our student-athletes who are involved in post-season play. Updates will be posted to the YC website at yorkcatholic.org/fall-sports-post-season

Cross Country

YAIAA County Championships

10/17 – 4 PM – at Rudy Park

Golf

PIAA-AA State Championships

10/16-17 - at Penn State Main Campus White Course

Online Sports Forms  

Students who played on a York Catholic Fall 2023 sports team:

You will be receiving an email the week of November 13 with a link to complete the required recertification forms through ArbiterSports/FamilyID.com. You do not need to complete anything until you receive that email.  

Students who did not play on a York Catholic Fall 2023 sports team:

Parents of athletes who wish to play a winter sport and did not participate in a fall sport must complete the required online forms at ArbiterSports/FamilyID.com. Parents who set-up a FamilyID account last year should continue to use the same ID and password to access your account. To set-up a new account, please click here for the instructions. https://yorkcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/arbiterlive-familyid-overview-2023-24.pdf

Students wishing to participate in winter athletics during the 2023-24 school year must have their required forms filed online at ArbiterSports/FamilyID no later than Wednesday, November 8, at 3 PM; no exceptions.

Students wishing to play a winter sport MUST verify the forms and ImPACT test are on file with Mr. Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1330 no later than Wednesday, November 8, at 3 PM.

Failure to complete the online forms by the deadline will mean the student will not be permitted to practice the first day of the season. For some sports, this could mean the student will not make the team.  

If you need technical assistance with ArbiterSports/FamilyID, contact support@arbitersports.com

or 1-800-311-4060. Support is available 5 days per week, Monday through Friday, and messages will be returned promptly.

Physicals

Students who played on a York Catholic Fall 2023 sports team:

You will be receiving an email the week of November 13 with a link to complete the required recertification forms through ArbiterSports/FamilyID.com. You do not need to complete anything until you receive that email.  

Students who did not play on a York Catholic Fall 2023 sports team:

Student-athletes are reminded that a physical is required prior to the start of the sports season. Please be sure to complete the medical information online at www.familyID.com before arriving at your doctor's appointment and only print the 2 sections indicated (sections 5 & 6) for the doctor to review and complete. PLEASE NOTE: in addition to completing Section 5 online, you will also need to complete the form that prints. The information saved in the computer does not print on the form. All physicals must be dated AFTER June 1, 2023. Co-payments apply. Physicals must be completed and uploaded to www.familyID.com no later than Wednesday, November 8 at 3 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Josh Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1330.   

Parents: Please help spread the word to your friends and neighbors!

York Catholic Open House

Sunday, October 15, 2023  

12 PM to 2 PM 

Register to attend our upcoming Open House and join us for a look at the York Catholic Middle & High School experience. Learn what life at our school is like and see all we have to offer students (grades 7-12)  and their families. Space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend. Click here to pre-register ➡ 

https://yorkcatholic.org/admissions/open-house/

What You’ll Experience at York Catholic’s Open House Event: 

• Take a tour of the newly renovated campus. 
• Talk with York Catholic teachers and administrators. 
• Meet current students and hear their experiences. 
• Learn about the 45+ sports and 60+ activities available. 

Did You Know? 

Students in York Catholic’s class of 2023 were offered over $12 million dollars in higher education scholarships!  Join us to learn how York Catholic sets students up for success and creates a place where every student is known and cared for. 

Reserve your spot today! We hope to see you there! 

https://yorkcatholic.org/admissions/open-house/

Partner school students in grades 1-6 are invited to our Futures Football Game at York Catholic on Friday, October 13! Come out and be part of the team as you cheer for your future school! Spend time with the varsity players and coaches, listen to coach’s pre-game instruction, participate in team prayer, and pose with the team for a picture. No registration necessary.

Football – Arrive by 6:15 PM to the stadium.  

Cheerleading – Arrive by 6:45 PM to the stadium.

Marching Band – Arrive by 5:30 PM to the band room at the back of the school.

The York Catholic Student Council invites all children ages 12 and under to attend this year's Fall Fest Wednesday, October 25, from 6-8 PM at York Catholic. Children will have the opportunity to go trick-or-treating throughout the school and play Fall themed games. Costumes are encouraged!

Parents, would you like to save on your State Income Tax return? Additionally, what if I told you those savings can have a direct impact on York Catholic students? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? If you file for, and are accepted, as a Special Purpose Entity (SPE), it’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the tax liability on your personal tax return. Please continue reading for additional information.

Pennsylvania now allows individuals to take advantage of EITC Tax Credits (just as businesses can) whereby you have the opportunity to re-direct 90% of your personal state income taxes to York Catholic Middle & High School. 

The Special Purpose Entity (SPE) is based on tax liability, not income, therefore each taxpayer’s situation will differ. Participants must be PA residents where at least one spouse is employed or has an ownership interest in a PA for-profit business. An individual or couple filing jointly must have a state tax liability of $3,500 or more to participate. To see if you qualify for 2023, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your 2022 tax return. 100% of participant contributions are distributed to the school. You have to pay these taxes regardless, so why not have a say in how your taxes are allocated? Additionally, you will receive at least a 10% personal deduction on your federal taxes. The money you re-direct to York Catholic is for educational purposes, specifically tuition assistance.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce your tax liability AND provide much needed assistance to York Catholic students, please follow these steps:

• Review information on the SPE program to determine if you qualify at https://www.pennsylvaniaeitc.org/frequently-asked-questions.html
• Confirm your personal state income tax liability with your accountant.
• Complete and submit the Joinder Agreement at https://yorkcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/spe-joinder-agreement.pdf

For more information about this easy tax donation, please contact Dave Salter, York Catholic Director of Development, at dsalter@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1325.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus, Council #6353, East York, PA, is holding its 2nd Annual William “Bill” Smith Memorial Oktoberfest Fundraiser on October 28, from 5-8 PM at the St. Joseph School Gym on Kingston Road in York. Proceeds go to the Jamaican Mission Team. If interested in sponsoring or attending the event, please click the button below. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Kelly Brown at 717-668-0509 or kbbrown79@hotmail.com.