Top 10: Reasons to be thankful and grateful to be Cavaliers

10. Samaritan’s Purse

For the first time, the Beta Club sponsored Operation Christmas Child through the Samaritan’s Purse organization. Upper school students made an immediate impact on young children around the world. The shoe box gifts will bring smiles to the faces of children as they play with the toys and read the letters written by our students. Many of these children have never received a gift in their lives. Most importantly, it was a chance for our students to share the Gospel of Christ’s love with those around the world. MDS collected 245 boxes of Christmas cheer to send to partner churches worldwide.

9. Increased MDS Spirit and Pride

Have you been on campus for a Pep Rally recently? Thanks to cheer coach Krista Dillard and the cheerleading team, pep rally energy is at an all-time high! Shouts of “I believe we will win,” the fight song, and fun cheers such as “The Banana” helped encourage our fall sports teams to great wins. The volleyball team won the Area 2-A title; the varsity girls cross country team won the Area championship—both the girls and boys teams competed at state; and the football team had impressive wins over Tatnall, FPD, and Georgia Military Academy.

8. Mercy In Action…All Year Long

Service to the community and as a community is essential to the mission of Mount de Sales. Through the Mercy In Action Program, students embody this mission in the practice of Servant Leadership. Students are challenged to listen to others, show empathy, increase self-awareness, promote stewardship, commit to enabling growth in others, build community, and motivate others. Mercy In Action encourages students, faculty, and staff to serve at organizations that promote these values. For Thanksgiving, Mercy In Action has sponsored multiple activities: St. Peter Claver Food Pantry with canned food drives, creating Hunger Care Packages for the homeless, providing meals for hospice families, and serving a Thanksgiving meal at the Coliseum Medical Center.

7. A Week to re-charge with family and friends

This week is a wonderful time for our students (and faculty and staff) to rest and relax with family before the final three weeks of the semester!

6. Father Frank Critch

In September, MDS welcomed Father Frank Critch, OFM, a Franciscan Friar as our new chaplain. Fr. Frank became a Franciscan Friar in 2007, and was ordained a Priest in 2013. One of nine children, Fr. Frank is a native of Newfoundland, Canada, and as such, he is a die-hard hockey fan! Before becoming a Friar, he owned a restaurant in addition to working with youth as a community outreach and family support worker. Fr. Frank will serve Mount de Sales by celebrating several masses on campus during the week, making himself available to students throughout the day, visiting Theology classrooms, and continuing to cultivate our Catholic culture.

5. Volunteers

The Mount de Sales experience would not be possible without our parent volunteers. Parents serve MDS in a variety ways—one of the most popular is supplying teacher treats on the last working Friday of the month to faculty and staff. Parents also serve the Parents Association, Cavalier Club, and many other activities.

4. Preparing for the Christmas Season

As the Advent Semester comes to a close, the campus is busy with Christmas preparations. Parents help decorate the buildings with Christmas cheer. The chorus and band are preparing for the annual Christmas Concert, and most anticipated of all, the Upper School rehearses for Candlelight Carol at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Service opportunities for both Upper and Middle School are available to help families in need through Operation Christmas Child and the sponsorship of DFACS children for the Christmas season.

3. Donors who make the MDS experience possible

Donors—parents, alumni, friends—have been a major component in the success of students at Mount de Sales and the school’s longevity. We are thankful for 140 years worth of blessings bestowed upon the school and the Cavaliers.

2. Caring Faculty and Staff

The Mount de Sales Faculty and Staff each wear multiple hats. Teachers and staff members not only work their “day jobs” but also serve as coaches, mentors, after-care workers, club advisors, event chaperones, and so much more. MDS could not ask for a more dedicated and caring faculty and staff.

1. Forever de Sales!

140 years and going strong. Need we say more?

By Lauren H. Beaty, Director of Alumni Relations and Parents Association