May 17, 2012

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St. Rita’s St. Baldrick’s event featured on Fox News Chicago

March 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Spark Energy, St. Rita Mustangs Support Kids Fighting Cancer: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Filed Under: In The News

SouthtownStar: Oak Lawn brothers literally have their acts together

February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Oak Lawn Park District Theatre’s production of “Barnum” will hit the stage again this weekend, and brothers Shea and Reagan Pender have the leading roles.

There are two casts for the production, and both Shea, 17, and Reagan, 16, play the role of P.T. Barnum.

Reagan has the leading role Friday and Sunday, and Shea plays P.T. Barnum in Saturday’s production.

The boys’ younger brother, Casey, 10, also is in the play.  Read full story

Filed Under: In The News

Congratulations to the Chess Team!

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The St. Rita chess team, despite being ranked 101 out of 125 teams, finished 72nd overall, far surpassing expectations. Individually, Albert Alfano had a strong showing with 4 wins and 3 losses. Nick Henrichs had the best performance of his season, winning all 7 of his matches on the 7 board. Nick ended up finishing tied for first out of 125 players, which earned him a medal. Overall, the team finished the year with a very strong performance!

Filed Under: Feature Stories, In The News, Student News

Chicago Tribune: Boys basketball | No. 17 St. Rita completes sweep of No. 18 De La Salle

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Mike Helfgot Special to the Tribune, February 3, 2012

 Tony Hicks lit up De La Salle on the road two months ago, but the home rims weren’t so friendly Friday night.

The rest of the Penn-bound guard’s performance was stellar, though, and he was as quick as ever in the open court.

Hicks had 17 points, eight rebounds, five steals and three assists as No. 17 St. Rita completed a regular-season sweep of No. 18 De La Salle with a 60-46 victory.

Cullen Foulks added 16 points for St. Rita (12-8, 7-1 Catholic South), 12 of which came after De La Salle (14-4, 5-3) cut the Mustangs’ lead to 37-31 early in the fourth quarter.

“I’m just trying to step up my defense,” said Hicks, who had 31 points in St. Rita’s 66-64 double-overtime victory against De La Salle on Dec. 2. “Coach (Gary DeCesare) is just having me focus on defense. I’m not worried too much about offense because that will come.  Read Full Story

Filed Under: In The News, Latest in Sports

St. Rita Announces Leadership Team Promotions

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Very Reverend Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Augustinian Provincial, announces the establishment of the Office for Mission and Ministry as well as a new leadership team at St. Rita of Cascia High School, effective July 1, 2012.

Pictured, from left, are: Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., ’83, Augustinian Provincial; Mr. Ernie Mrozek, ’71, President; Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., ’83, Chairman of the Board and Chaplain; Mr. Brendan Conroy, Principal; Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A., ’82,  Director of Augustinian Mission.

A Letter to the St. Rita Family

St. Augustine once said, “You must always look for more, walk onward, make progress” (Sermon 169). In this spirit, exciting changes are coming to St. Rita of Cascia High School which I am confident will enrich the quality of education that our Ritamen receive. Several of our school’s leaders are being promoted, strengthening our leadership team in the Augustinian tradition.

Fr. Tom McCarthy, St. Rita’s President for the past 12 years, has been named Vocation Director for the East and Midwest Provinces of the Augustinians. In order to maintain a key leadership role at St. Rita and fulfill his ministry in Augustinian vocations, he will be promoted from the position of President to Chairman of the Board and Chaplain for the high school. In this new role, Father Tom will maintain a regular presence at the school, provide strategic direction and continue to minister to our students and families. I also see this as a wonderful opportunity for St. Rita to expand and deepen its partnership and collaboration between the Augustinians and the dedicated lay faculty and staff.

In that regard, I am very pleased to announce that current Board Chairman and Vice President, Mr. Ernie Mrozek, a 1971 St. Rita alumnus, has been appointed President of St. Rita. Before retiring from a successful business career at ServiceMaster, Ernie successively served as the Fortune 500 company’s Chief Financial Officer, and then as its President and Chief Operating Officer. Ernie brings a deep passion for and knowledge of St. Rita, has extensive management and financial expertise, and enjoys strong relationships with the extended St. Rita family. As Vice President for the past three years, Ernie has been active in overseeing the school’s planning, finances and institutional advancement, recently including the most successful capital campaign and facilities improvements in St. Rita’s history.

Additionally, I am pleased to appoint Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A., a 1982 St. Rita alumnus, to the new full-time position of Director of Augustinian Mission. As director, Fr. Rich will head the newly created Office for Mission and Ministry, and direct activities that demonstrate St. Rita’s commitment to living out the Augustinian mission and values in all aspects of campus life. Mr. Brendan Conroy, who has had a tremendous impact further improving St. Rita’s academic program, will continue in his role as Principal, with support from his team of Assistant Principals, faculty and staff. The new appointments become effective July 1, 2012.

As a proud alumnus of the class of 1983, former faculty member and current board member, I am confident that these changes will ensure the continued success of St. Rita. Ernie, Brendan, Fr. Tom and Fr. Rich make a very strong team with complementary skill sets. With these men guiding our school, and with a talented and dedicated faculty and staff, we will preserve the continuity of our Augustinian philosophy and spirituality.

Join me in praying for the continued success of St. Rita and please pray for vocations.

Sincerely in Christ and St. Augustine,

Very Reverend Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D. ’83

Augustinian Provincial

To learn more about the new Office for Mission and Ministry, click here.

 

Filed Under: Feature Stories, In The News

Food 4 Less Named Mustang Corporate Partner

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

St. Rita of Cascia High School is pleased to announce that Food 4 Less, the Greater Chicago Area’s leading price-impact supermarket chain, has been named its newest corporate partner.

 

A significant component of the partnership is a $20,000 donation by Food 4 Less to support St. Rita’s tuition assistance program.

 

“Food 4 Less and St. Rita have worked together for a couple of years now, and St. Rita owes Food 4 Less a great deal of gratitude for its financial support,” said St. Rita President Fr. Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A. ’83.

 

“Food 4 Less has enabled the school to increase its tuition assistance program to needy families during these difficult economic times.  It is an honor to establish this partnership, and an honor to call them a corporate sponsor.”

 

In recognition of Food 4 Less’s generosity, the supermarket chain will be acknowledged at key events on and off the St. Rita campus.

 

“At Food 4 Less we care about the community we live and work in.  The partnership with St. Rita is an excellent fit as a majority of our locations are on the South Side of Chicago and the South Suburbs are in close proximity to where a significant number of current students, alumni, and friends of St. Rita reside,” said Nick Benavidez, Director of Operations.

 

The Office of Institutional Advancement launched the St. Rita Corporate Partnership Program in May, 2011.  The goal of the program is to work with local businesses to support the Tuition Assistance Program at St. Rita through an annual financial pledge to the school.  In return, St. Rita recognizes the respective business at key events held on campus.  The generous financial donations from Food 4 Less will go directly toward helping current St. Rita High School students and their families afford tuition.  For more information on the Corporate Partnership Program please contact Tom Ramsden, Director of Institutional Advancement at 773-925-5029.

 

Food 4 Less operates 145 supermarkets in California, Nevada, and the greater Chicago area.  Food 4 Less is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer.  Last year alone, Food 4 Less contributed over $4 million to support education, hunger relief, women’s health and local nonprofit organizations in communities served by their company’s stores.  For more information about Food 4 Less, visit their website at www.food4less.com.

 

Filed Under: In The News

ESPN Chicago: Hicks powers St. Rita past De La Salle

December 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
CHICAGO — St. Rita had its excuse if it lost to De La Salle in the Catholic League opener on Friday.

The seventh-ranked Mustangs were without starters senior forward A.J. Avery, a Western Michigan recruit, and sophomore guard Dominique Matthews. Both had suffered hand injuries just before the season began and are out until at least January.

With St. Rita’s injuries and being at home before a standing-room-only crowd, No. 6 De La Salle was expected to roll and appeared headed that way when the Meteors opened up a 14-point lead in the second quarter on Friday.

St. Rita’s Tony Hicks, however, wasn’t going down without a fight, and in the end, Hicks’ fight was too much for the Meteors.  Read Full Story

Filed Under: In The News, Latest in Sports

Chicago Sun-Times | Boys Basketball: St. Rita outlasts De La Salle in two overtimes

December 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It was a raucous affair, with two impassioned coaches and an overwhelmed group of officials. In the end, the game submitted to the raw will of St. Rita senior Tony Hicks.

Hicks scored 31 points and corralled the final rebound to seal St. Rita’s 66-64 double-overtime win Friday night at De La Salle.

De La Salle led 27-13 with 5:50 to play in the second quarter and the game seemed headed to a blowout. St. Rita was without two injured starters, 6-foot-6 AJ Avery and 6-2 Dominique Matthews.

“I feel like a lot of teams can’t defend our speed,” Hicks said. “So I never thought we were out of it.” Read Full Story

Filed Under: In The News, Latest in Sports

See What ESPN Chicago says about this year’s Mustang Basketball Team

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
By Scott Powers
 
9. St. Rita: This looks to be the year coach Gary DeCesare turns St. Rita’s program completely around. After going 12-14 last season, the Mustangs return 6-7 senior forward AJ Avery, a Western Michigan recruit, 6-2 guard Tony Hicks, a Penn recruit, senior point guard Cullen Foulks, sophomore forward Victor Law and sophomore guard Dominique Matthews. There also will be a couple freshmen who will contribute immediately. St. Rita will be the team to beat in the Catholic League.
 
Filed Under: In The News, Latest in Sports, Recent Stories

St. Rita of Cascia High School Inducts Students into the Knights of Augustine

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

At the St. Rita of Cascia High School Family Mass on Sunday, November 13th students were inducted into the Knights of Augustine.  Currently, 155 Ritamen are enrolled in the Knights of Augustine which is a fraternal organization of students that strives to embody the Augustinian core values of Truth, Unity and Love through active prayer and community service.

Knights of Augustine activities take place both within and outside of St. Rita High School.  Monthly meetings are held to organize services provided by the Knights of Augustine and to plan activities that foster building a stronger community.  Five commissions are established to foster the mission of the Knights of Augustine.

The Service Commission is a leading force in the community that is willing and excited to serve those whose needs are great. This commission provides opportunities for students to serve a diverse community in the spirit of Truth, Unity and Love. This includes finding new locations and organizing volunteers to serve at PADS and other locations.

The Prayer Commission’s mission is to build a more prayerful place at St. Rita, in part by overseeing Morning Prayer, End of School Prayer, and Thursday Morning Novena for the faculty and student body.

The Liturgy Commission cultivates and provides an environment that is connected to reverence in the chapel. They find and provide altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers for masses. The commission is also active in choosing and preparing the music for masses and other liturgies.

Members of the Faith Formation commission support those who are in preparation for entrance into the Catholic faith.

The Social Awareness Commission fosters a greater Catholic/Christian and Augustinian response to the complex realities of today’s world.  This commission provides an arena for discussion, dialogue, and positive individual and community action in the areas of race/ethnicity, gender issues, sexuality issues and environmental stewardship, among other things.

A new Knights of Augustine Senior Leadership Council was appointed for the 2011-2012 Academic Year.  The council is led senior by Chris Ciciora, Faith Formation (Chicago-Mt. Greenwood, St. Christina), Dave Ciciora, Prayer (Chicago-Mt. Greenwood, St. Christina), Brad Dorng, Service (Chicago-Beverly, St. John Fisher), Sean Esposito, Faith Formation (Oak Forest, Central Middle School), Nick Dachota, Liturgy (Chicago-Mt. Greenwood), Billy Henry, Prayer (Orland Park, Jerling JHS), Mike Hernandez (Chicago-Mt. Greenwood, Mt. Greenwood School), Social Awareness, Dan Ladd, Liturgy (Chicago-Beverly, St. Cajetan), Shakir Spells, Social Awareness (Chicago-Morgan Park, St. Ethelreda), and Chris Ward, Service (Oak Lawn, Simmons).

Each committee is also led by St. Rita’s SAVI Leaders who focus on the inclusion of Augustinian Values in everyday life at St. Rita High School.

The Knights of Augustine is operated out of The Campus Ministry Center at St. Rita.

“The Augustinian core values of Truth, Unity and Love undergird our existence as an educational institution.  The Knights of Augustine strive to incarnate the core values here at St. Rita High School and beyond.  The Knights dedicate a tremendous amount of time and effort to having a lived and active faith.  They commit to the mission of their Commission by attending regular meetings, Masses, and service activities inside and outside the school. I am truly impressed to see such a lively faith in our young men!” said St. Rita Campus Ministry Team Member Friar Thomas Jackson, O.P.

Filed Under: In The News, Student News
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