ANNOUNCEMENTS MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026

PARKING REMINDER - A few reminders about parking - the Goodrich parking ramp will serve as the designated senior parking lot. Please note that parking spaces 1-30 in this ramp are reserved for the Diocese and are not available for student parking.

The lots north of the gym will serve as student parking for other student drivers. These include the east half of the Cathedral lot and the lot along the north side of the gym. The north gym lot also contains reserved parking spaces for staff and KCTC students. Within these two lots, students should park in any available, non-reserved space when they arrive each day. 

If no spaces are available in these lots, students may park in public parking spaces along Goodrich Street and LaGrave Avenue.

A detailed map of these parking areas can be found HERE.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - St. John Vianney is looking for volunteers to help with their annual auction on Saturday, November 7! This is a wonderful opportunity for former students to return and support their school. Interested students can sign up using the SignUpGenius link. 

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CHAMPIONS - Be a "Champion" for change! Current 11th and 12th grade students are invited to apply by Wednesday, Nov. 2 (All Souls Day) to champion the mission of Catholic Charities West Michigan. Rooted in the example of Christ, grow as a leader, strengthen your advocacy skills, and make a lasting impact through service in your community. Catholic Charities Champions (2026-27 App)  If you have questions or want help with your application please attend Mrs. Perry's Focus time on 10/20. 

GRAND RAPIDS RIGHT TO LIFE - STUDENT CONTESTS & SCHOLARSHIPS - Grand Rapids Right to Life offers several opportunities for students to earn cash prizes and scholarships through essay contests, public speaking, leadership programs, and participation in the March for Life. Opportunities are available for students in grades 9–12, with various application deadlines throughout the school year. Use this LINK for more information, contest guidelines, and application forms.

MENTAL HEALTH STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL - Interested in advocacy, student wellness, catholic social teachings, and making CC an even better place to be? The Counseling Office is starting a new initiative this year: the Mental Health Student Advisory Council! We are looking for 2 Juniors & 2 Seniors. The Student Advisory Council will give students a voice in conversations about topics that impact our school community, including mental health and wellness, student needs, advocacy and belonging. Council members will have opportunities to:

• Share student perspectives and ideas with the Counseling Office
• Brainstorm and support wellness and mental health initiatives
• Explore how our  faith can guide the way we care for one another
• Help plan or support student-focused events

Meetings - We will meet once or twice a month, depending on initiatives throughout the school year. Meetings will take place during Lunch or Focus, so there should be minimal impact on your classes. You do not need to have previous leadership experience. We are looking for students who are willing to listen, share ideas, advocate for their peers, and help make a positive difference at Catholic Central. Interested in being one of our four representatives? Apply HERE by Monday, October 19. Your voice matters. Your ideas can make a difference.

FALL PLAY - For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs...who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. Get your tickets HERE!

ATHLETIC FOCUS TIMES 

• Girls Lacrosse Focus Time with Coach DeJong - Tuesday October 20 | Sign up & attend to hear about the upcoming lacrosse season! Coach will go over offseason training - Get together to see old friends and meet new teammates.
• Girls Basketball Focus Time with Coach Fellows - Tuesday October 27 @ 9:30 AM | Learn about conditioning opportunities / preseason work-outs and joining the basketball family.

STEAM OPPORTUNITIES

• HOSA Meeting Tuesday 10/20 - Interested in a career in healthcare? Join HOSA! Whether you want to be a doctor, nurse, vet, or medical researcher, HOSA gives you a head start. Gain hands-on leadership skills, participate in exciting competitive events, and connect with a community of future health professionals. Don't just dream about the future—come build it with us! Questions contact Mrs. VanderMolen or sign up in Mrs. Meerman’s Focus Time 
• Career Talk Tuesday 10/20 - Criminal Justice  Krystal Stuart, K9 Officer with the Kent County Sheriff Department talks about her experiences and career options related to the field of Criminal Justice. 
• Career Talk - Friday 10/23 - Cybersecurity/Computer Programming Abe Jones, the Director of Cyber Security at Wolverine Worldwide, will talk about career possibilities associated with computer science and information technology.
• Buell Motorcycle Discover Manufacturing Tour - October 28th 11:30am  to 2pm - Tour a motorcycle manufacturing company producing several high performance models such as sport bikes, a touring, and a cruiser. All research and design is in the main facility along with all assembly of the different models. View the process from the beginning (design and engineering) to completion (finished product).  All models are hand assembled in Grand Rapids.
• Van Andel Purple Community Lunch and Learn - November 3rd 10:30am to 2pm - Join us for the Van Andel Institute Purple Community Leadership Lunch & Learn. This unique opportunity allows you to hear directly from scientists working to unlock the mysteries of diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. You’ll gain insight into real-world research and discovery, then roll up your sleeves for hands-on experiments in collaboration with VAI for Education — exploring science in a fun, interactive way to see how curiosity can lead to real and meaningful impact.
• West Michigan Health Degrees Night by Ferris State University - November 5th 6 to 8pm - Students interested in healthcare programs should attend. Meet faculty, staff, and students from The Ferris State College of Pharmacy, Optometry, and College of Health Professions including Nursing, PharmD, Optometry, Medical Lab Sciences, Nuclear Medicine, Radiography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Information Management and Health Care Systems Administration, Pre-Med, and Pre-Health advising. Flyer Link and Registration
• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Calvin University - November 5th 9am to 3pm Calvin University would like to invite you  for a special visit day with other students who are interested in a career in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. This is a chance for you to experience a day in the life of a SPAUD student. Please see the attached invitation for more information. Students get to observe a clinic session, meet with SPAUD professors and students, financial aid info session for SPAUD students, and join a SPAUD class. Event Flyer Students can register for this special visit day by filling out this form: Calvin Speech Pathology & Audiology Department: BA-MA Program Visit Day Fall 2026 – Fill out form

UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS - Sign up in SCOIR at least one day before the visit

• Eastern Michigan University - Wednesday, October 21 at 12:35pm
• Adrian College - Friday, October 23 at 9:05am
• Marquette University - Friday, October 23 at 10:45am
• University of Alabama - Tuesday, October 27 at 9:30am
• The University of Findlay - Thursday, October 29 at 9:05am

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - Find more opportunities HERE

BEGINNING WITH BREAKFAST - A hot breakfast of the chef’s choice will be offered daily. All breakfast combos are served with fruit, juice, and milk

LOOKING AHEAD FOR LUNCH - Lunch Combos are served with an entree, fruit, veggie, and milk

• Monday, October 19 - Pulled Pork & BBQ Sauce, Pretzel Roll, Carrots & Celery, Apple
• Tuesday, October 20 - Chicken Taco, Cheese, Black Beans & Corn, Peaches
• Wednesday, October 21 - Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Breadstick, Cucumber, Applesauce
• Thursday, October 22 - Pancakes, Sausage, Veggie Juice, Orange
• Friday, October 23 - Pizza, Veggie, Fruit

BLESSING OF THE DAY - May God bless you in your need to be perfect. May the God of perfect love be revealed to you as the One who loves and accepts you unconditionally just as you are. May the God of perfect mercy embrace you and continually re-create you even with your flaws and inadequacies. May God transform your journey to perfection into a journey toward God who is perfect lover and companion. May the God of Perfect Love bless you. --Maxine Shonk, OP