The Christmas Spirit is blanketing the Central Catholic Campus for the month of December: the Christmas Project, the Winter Art Expo, the Band & Chorus Concert, the VISIONS Christmas Coffeehouse, and more.

Wishing you all a very Raider Christmas!

Christmas at Central Catholic

• The Christmas Project
• Raider Winter Wonderland
• Christmas in the Catalano Memorial Library *New Listing*
• Advent Afternoon of Prayer & Song
• The Winter Art Expo
• The Winter Band & Chorus Concert
• The Raider Family Christmas Gift-Wrapping Party
• The Advent & Christmas Prayer Service
• VISIONS Christmas Coffeehouse
• Holiday Shopping: Raider Campus Store
• Girls Alumnae Basketball
• Christmas Vacation
• Support CCHS
• Merry Christmas from Central Catholic

 

The Christmas Project

Central Catholic's Christmas Project is celebrating 25 years of giving!

This Advent season, our students are teaming up with Lazarus House Ministries to support families in our community.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Central Catholic High School (@cchsraider)

Lazarus House provides invaluable support to our neighbors in need throughout the year, with a particular demand to provide food during the holiday season.

Weekly, over 2,000 individuals visit Lazarus House’s food pantry to collect a single bag of eight basic food items to share with their household.

Our Central Catholic community has committed to provide a minimum amount of

• 2,000 (two thousand) cans of tuna fish
  • Please leave canned tuna fish donations under the Christmas tree in the Webster Family Lobby.
• 200 (two hundred) $25 gift cards to Market Basket during this Advent Season.
  • Please bring Market Basket gift cards directly to Mrs. Chase in room 216, or Mrs. Blaszak in Campus Ministry.

Financial donations to the Christmas Project are also accepted.

Make a financial donation

Learn more about the Christmas Project!

Let’s show our Raider spirit and support our neighbors in need!

Donations are needed by Wednesday, December 17.

Please reach out to a student leader or adult leader with any questions.

The Christmas Project Team

Student Leaders

• Michelle Cuevas Tineo '26
• Sierra Hudson '26

Adult Leaders

• Mrs. Vicki Blaszak, Campus Minister
• Mrs. Diana Chase, Religious Studies Teacher

Visit the Christmas Project page for more details or to make an online gift.

 

A Raider Winter Wonderland

The Central Catholic Campus in December

The Student Council and the Office of Student Activities are sponsoring a Central Festival of Trees and other fun activities leading up to Christmas,

Clubs, Departments, Sports Teams, and other groups volunteered to decorate a tree. Six foot tall, artificial, un-lit trees were provided for participating groups.

The trees are on display around the school for the month of December.

In addition, the Art Club is decorating windows around campus.

 

Christmas in the Catalano Memorial Library

Library dedicated to the Memory of G. Thomas Catalano '50 and Marie Catalano

The Catalano Memorial Library is celebrating Christmas and a love of reading in a number of different ways, including:

Best Books of the Year List

We are asking for your favorite read(s) this year to compile our annual Best Books of the Year list for 2025 to share out with the entire Raider community.

We display the books here in the library for checkout (take one home to read over break!), as well as share on the TVs and on social media.

The book must be something you've read this year (doesn't have to be published this year) and a book appropriate for the Catalano Memorial Library (young adult or an adult crossover).

Please complete this Google form with your book nominations by Monday, December 15.

Blind Date with a Book Bag, Christmas Edition

Not sure what to read? We're happy to do your holiday shopping for you and make you a Christmas edition of our Blind Date with a Book Bag. Choose two or three genres or themes that you might be interested in checking out and we will put together a bag of library books and goodies for you.

Not sure what to read? We're happy to do your holiday shopping for you and make you a Christmas edition of our Blind Date with a Book Bag.

Choose two or three genres or themes that you might be interested in checking out and we will put together a bag of library books and goodies for you.

Requests due by Monday 12/15 from both students and staff.

Book Displays this Month

We have tons of new books as well as displays of holiday cookbooks (try your hand at a new recipe!) or displays for those who love Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas movies.

Stop by to check out our display dubbed "Under the Mistletoe" or view our Instagram reel.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Catalano Memorial Library (@ccraider_library)

Visit the Catalano Memorial Library Page

 

Advent Afternoon of Prayer & Song

Carney Family Chapel - Tuesday, December 16, 4:30-5:30

Students, families, faculty, and staff are invited to join us for Advent Prayer & Song in the Carney Family Chapel.

We'll listen to some scripture readings, sing some Advent songs, and have time for silent reflection and shared prayer intentions.

Your whole family is welcome!

Cookies and hot chocolate will be served afterward.

Contact:

• Mr. Tim Hart, Campus Minister, thart@centralcatholic.net

The Raider Campus Store will be open for Christmas shopping before and after the event, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

 

The Winter Art Expo

5:00 PM, Friday, December 12 - 2nd & 3rd Floor Art Galleries

Visual art students will be showcasing their talents at the Winter Art Expo!

Open to the public - complimentary admission.

Join us to admire art, interact with creators, or simply see where the night takes you!

Featuring artwork from:

• AP Studio Art
• Sculpture
• Photography
• Drawing & Painting
• Visual Art 2
• Intro to Visual Art

Followed at 7:00 PM by the Winter Band & Chorus Concert in the Rogers Memorial Theater.

Contact:

• Mrs. Lauren Roeser, Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair, lroeser@centralcatholic.net

Click here to view and download photos from last year's Winter Art Expo.

 

The Winter Band & Chorus Concert

7:00 PM, Friday, December 12 - Rogers Memorial Theater

Join us for an evening of winter and Christmas music, featuring our Band and Choral programs.

Open to the public - complimentary admission.

Doors will open to the audience at 6:45 PM.

The concert will begin at 7:00 PM.

Featuring:

• Band
• Jazz Band
• Concert Choir
• Central Harmony
• and more.

Contacts:

• Mr. Bruce Denmead, Teacher & Band Director, bdenmead@centralcatholic.net
• Mrs. Maureen Shanahan, Concert Choir & Central Harmony Director, mshanahan@centralcatholic.net

Click here to view and download photos from last year's Winter Choral Concert.

Click here to view and download photos from last year's Winter Band Concert.

 

 

The Raider Family Christmas Gift-Wrapping Party

12:30 PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Memorial Gymnasium

'Tis the season for giving!

Join members of the Student Alumni Association (SAA) for a gift-wrapping party filled with cheer!

Bring your family and enjoy hot chocolate, treats, holiday crafts, and movies with a special appearance by Santa himself!

Admission is one new children's toy per family. Details on registration page. All toys will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.

Click here to view and download photos from last year's event on Raider SmugMug.

Register today

 

The Advent & Christmas Prayer Service

Friday, December 19

The Central Catholic community comes together to celebrate the Christmas season with the annual Advent & Christmas Prayer Service.

Click here to view and download photos from last year's Advent & Christmas Prayer Service.

 

VISIONS Christmas Coffeehouse

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Baroni Hall

Join us for our annual Christmas Coffeehouse brought to you by the Visions Literary & Arts Magazine.

Coffeehouse showcases the talents of students and faculty from across our CCHS community!

The event is FREE and open to all CCHS students and staff.

Come enjoy live entertainment and free refreshments in a warm and supporting environment.

Click here to view and download photos from the 2024 Coffeehouse on Raider SmugMug.

 

Holiday Shopping

Raider Campus Store - South Wing

The Raider Campus Store offers a wide range of Central Catholic High School apparel, novelties, and school supplies.

Raider Campus Store

Christmas Hours in December

Christmas Hours

• 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 10, 2025
• 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, December 16, 2025 
  • Also on Tuesday, December 16
    • Advent Afternoon of Prayer & Song, 4:30 PM
    • Counseling Parent Program, 6:00 PM
      • Exploring Academic Majors & Nailing the College Visit

Weekly Hours

• Monday through Friday
  • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

**Note: there may be times when the Raider Campus Store will not be open during these times due to volunteer coverage.

Weekly Hours

**Note: there may be times when the Raider Campus Store will not be open during these times due to volunteer coverage.

The Raider Campus Store Online

If you don't have time to come on Campus to shop at the Raider Campus Store - order by December 12 online to make sure you receive your items before Christmas.

To view our catalog and make an online purchase, visit:

Online Raider Campus Store

Online orders will be shipped once a week.

**Please note in order to receive your items in time for Christmas, orders to be shipped must be placed by Friday, December 12.

 

Alumnae Girls Basketball Game

9:30 AM, Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - Memorial Gymnasium

Alumnae from the Girls Basketball Team are invited back to campus for the annual Alumnae Girls Basketball Game.

Sign up for Alumnae Game

Feel free to play or watch.

Families are welcome!

Contact:

• Ms. Casey Grange. Assistant Director of Athletics, cgrange@centralcatholic.net

 

Christmas Vacation

Have a safe, fun, and relaxing Christmas break!

The last day of classes is Friday, December 19.

Christmas Break begins on Saturday, December 20.

Classes will resume on Monday, January 5.

Office Hours During Christmas Break

Please note the following schedule for the Main Entrance & Welcome Desk over Christmas Vacation:

• Open Monday, December 22: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Open Tuesday, December 23: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Closed Wednesday, December 24
• Closed Thursday, December 25 - Merry Christmas!
• Open Friday, December 26: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Open Monday, December 29: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Open Tuesday, December 30: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Closed Wednesday, December 31
• Closed Thursday, January 1 - Happy New Year!
• Closed Friday, January 2 - Happy Founder's Day! (Marist Brothers)

Before visiting the school, please confirm that the person or office you need to see or visit is available and is not on vacation or unavailable due to other commitments.

School Directory

 

---

Supporting Central Catholic

The Central Catholic experience is made possible by the generous support of our parents, alumni, and friends. The Christmas Season is an important reminder of our many blessings.

December 31 is the final day to make a tax-deductible gift for the 2025 tax year.

 

The Central Catholic High School family wishes you and your loved ones the precious gifts of good health, joy, peace, and love this Christmas season and every day ahead.