Dear Families, As we approach the Holy Triduum, I am reminded each day of how unholy I often feel. There is a quip among Catholics that is utilized when something jarring or unpleasant takes place before the Triduum - "It must be Holy Week." It is an ongoing struggle to remain faith-filled in the face of daily suffering. And yet, Jesus remarked "If anyone wishes to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Catholicism is unique because daily suffering possesses a qualitative character. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil collectively signify that sufferi...
Read MoreThe Valley News recently brought attention to Mrs. Husarik's generosity and charity, choosing to cover her in a regular column fittingly called "Volunteer Spotlight". Mrs. Husarik quietly arrived at MRA each morning at approximately 8:45am for nearly 11 years. She helped hundreds of students improve their reading fluency. Her faith impelled her to serve young children. Mrs. Husarik was a daily communicant at the local parishes, and she would even attend Mass at the school occasionally. We would like to extend our gratitude once again to Mrs. Husarik for her service to our school. And 'thank y...
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On Thursday, March 19th, the entire MRA school community gathered to observe the solemnity of a very special heavenly patron - St. Joseph. Fr. Michael Monette and Fr. Rick St. Louis concelebrated the Mass. After Mass, students processed to St. Joseph, leaving petitions and words of gratitude to his intercession. The school was also blessed to receive a bouquet of roses from a generous benefactor. As is customary, the entire student body shared lunch together, followed by cake. High school students and teachers served the younger students, as students across all ages sat together. It is difficu...
Read MoreDear Families, We are nearing the halfway point of Lent. Many of our students are preparing to receive sacraments during this ultimate period of preparation. In moments of deep distress, it can be hard to recall 'first things'. I will forever remember when a wise man once told me, "we have to keep first things first". Otherwise, our lives can become disordered or even unhinged. What is the first objective of our school's mission (It is so much easier to answer this question than it is to articulate an entire history curriculum)? Our school exists to empower young people with the tools needed t...
Read MoreMount Royal Academy’s JV boys basketball season came to a close last Sunday as they lost in the quarterfinals of the 14th annual Pittsfield JV basketball tournament to Wilton High School. After a strong start (4-1) they had some difficulty winning on the road. Although the boys often faced larger teams with a deeper bench, the boys tough defense and scrappy play allowed them to maintain a winning record throughout the season and finish with an overall record of 10-8. The final regular season game against Holy Family Academy was the highlight of the season. The boys pulled off a thrilling doubl...
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For the third time in four years, the MRA middle school boys basketball team played in the championship game. The boys have competed well since joining the Merrimack Basketball League, and they are continually one of the stronger teams in division one. In a bid to repeat last year’s championship, the team played hard but came up short against St. John’s. The team had a strong finish to the season after a slow start. They utilized their speed, quickness. and excellent defense in order to be competitive against the many teams with superior size. They finished with an overall record of 7-10. ...
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Mount Royal Academy welcomed four students into membership of The Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society, in a ceremony held at the school on February 20. Members were selected by a council comprised of faculty members for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Cooper McCrillis, Naomi Nelson, Hannah Everitt, and Daniel Fitzgibbons met all of the requirements necessary to obtain this honor. As part of their induction and election into office, the students must collaborate on a community service project to be completed by the end of the sch...
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The MRA JV girls basketball team just finished the best season in the history of its young program. The high school girls basketball team is only three years young (after a period of several years without girls basketball), but the rapid improvement in the 2014 - 2015 season signifies a bright future. Moreover, the middle school girls basketball team has won 2 of the last 3 championships in the Merrimack Basketball League. The lady knights finished the season 14-2 overall. The team entered the 14th Annual JV Girls Basketball Tournament at Pittsfield as the #1 overall seed. After receiving a fi...
Read MoreMatthew and Miriam Caveney have long awaited their opportunity to return to the state meet. It seems as if year after year, the weather derails their hopes at capturing first place. Matthew and Miriam are of course siblings, but they are also extremely competitive and successful swimmers. During the seasonal meets, they both regularly post the lowest times in their respective events. As a freshman, Miriam finished in first place in the 50 yard freestyle event, winning the first ever individual championship for the MRA swimming team (a team currently consisting of 2). In 2015, Matthew and Miria...
Read MoreDear Families, Today marks the beginning of Lent. Our word "Lent" derives from a Germanic word meaning "springtime." It is easy to question the timely arrival of spring as we remain surrounded by snowbanks several feet high. Moreover, how can we consider Lent a period of refreshment and rejuvenation when we are forced to give up worldly items that we cherish? Isn't Lent supposed to remind us of our sinfulness? "Remember you are dust, and unto dust you shall return." Well, not exactly. Catholicism is the great both/and; the paradoxical nature of our faith is what stretches us to become excelle...
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