Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Central Catholic

September 15 - October 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

Finally, Indigenous People's Day, formerly known as Columbus Day, is called Día de la Raza in Latin America, which is October 12, and falls within these 30 days.

To learn more, check out this Hispanic History Milestones: Timeline presented by History.com.

We are excited to recognize the many positive contributions that Hispanics have made to the United States and the Merrimack Valley.

Through a collaboration between many Central Catholic groups, we will celebrate throughout the month and beyond with various activities throughout the school.

Our hope is that through celebrating heritage throughout the year, our recognition of diverse groups of people will encourage us to learn more about each other and lead to an increase in dialogue and understanding of the differences that make us unique and the similarities that unite us.

We invite everyone to participate!

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National Hispanic Heritage Month at Central Catholic

Presented by

• The Assistant Principal of Community & Belonging
• Spanish Classes in the World Language Department
• The Catalano Memorial Library: Great Reads for National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Students Can Open People's Eyes (SCOPE)
• Mr. Christopher Romero, World Language Teacher
• Cinema Club
• Mrs. Laura O'Connor, World Language Teacher
• The Raider Café

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Wednesday Morning Prayers in Spanish

On Wednesday mornings, Mrs. Candiotti’s Spanish language students will be saying the morning prayers in Spanish

Prayer: Our Father in Spanish

Padre nuestro,
que estás en el cielo.
Santificado sea tu nombre.
Venga tu reino.
Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas,
como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal.
Amén.

Prayer: Memorare in Spanish

Acordaos,
oh piadosísima Virgen María,
que jamás se ha oído decir
que ninguno de los que hayan
acudido a tu protección,
implorando tu asistencia
y reclamando tu socorro,
haya sido abandonado de ti.
Animado con esta confianza,
a ti también acudo, oh Madre,
Virgen de las vírgenes,
y aunque gimiendo
bajo el peso de mis pecados,
me atrevo a comparecer
ante tu presencia soberana.
No deseches mis humildes súplicas,
oh Madre del Verbo divino,
antes bien, escúchalas
y acógelas benignamente.
Amén.

 

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Great Reads for National Hispanic Heritage Month

The Catalano Memorial Library - Third Floor of the Hampshire Street Building

The Catalano Memorial Library is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with a great display of books to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Check out all the titles on our Collections page and stop by to check one out in person.

Don't forget to follow the Catalano Memorial Library on Instagram to check out all the news and pictures from the Catalano Memorial Library.

 

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Celebrating Saints from Latin America

A display highlighting Saints from Latin America in the hallway by Campus Ministry and the Carney Family Chapel.

 

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Meeting: Students Can Open People's Eyes

2:15 PM, Thursday, September 19 - Room 229, Memorial Gymnasium

Please join us at our first SCOPE meeting as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

We'll be discussing our favorite Latino artists, movies, and pop culture moments.

Don't miss it!

About SCOPE

Students Can Open People's Eyes (SCOPE) focuses on the celebration of diversity and multiculturalism.

The Club also addresses issues regarding cultural diversity and acceptance throughout the school and society.

We participate in and sponsor activities and programs that promote cultural awareness both at Central Catholic and throughout surrounding communities.

SCOPE is open to all students at CCHS.

 

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Meeting: CROWN Club

2:30 PM, Thursday, September 26 - Room G09, Hampshire Street Building

Join us for a meeting of CROWN and a hair story as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

Don’t miss it!

About CROWN

CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. Wear your CROWN with pride and attend the first CCHS curly hair club. As members of the natural hair community, we aim to encourage all students of all hair types to learn more about natural hair. In this Club, we’ll teach about how to maintain natural hair (curls, waves etc.,) as well as empower students to learn about and take pride in their hair.

 

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Explore the Taste of El Salvador in the Raider Café with Mr. Romero

2:10 PM, Friday, September 27 - Raider Café

Presented by Mr. Christopher Romero, World Language Teacher

Enjoy a sip of "horchata" at the Raider Café.

It’s a refreshing Salvadoran cinnamon, rice, and milk drink served with ice.

It can be a way to explore a new food from a different country as well as get a boost of sweet dairy milk before your afternoon activities.

 

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Cinema Club Movie: In the Heights

2:30 PM, Friday, September 27 - Room 313, South Wing

In the Heights centers on a variety of characters living in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, on the northern tip of Manhattan. The musical is a film remake of the Broadway play by Lin Manuel Miranda. It was a huge hit in theaters and through streaming platforms.

Join us in watching this lively musical together!

About the Cinema Club

The Cinema Club watches the movies students are most interested in, while at the same time addressing any topical/social relevance the month in which the movie is viewed offers.

The Cinema Club members choose and coordinate the movie, viewing time/place, refreshments, and then open the viewing for all students to join in the watching the selected movie. Post-movie discussion frequently ensues as we talk about and review the movie. Those interested in cinema, writing, social issues, or just in the mood to watch a good film, should definitely apply! Most viewings of Cinema Club films are on the Central Catholic campus, but, depending on student interest, could potentially be organized at the local movie theater.

 

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Celebrating el Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

October 23 through November 2, World Language Lobby - Hampshire Street Building

Presented by World Language Teacher Mrs. Laura O’Connor, a native of Mexico

Visit the Mexican Day of the Dead altar located on the ground floor of the Hampshire Street Building and prepared by Mrs. O’Connor.

Day of the Dead occurs in Mexico between October 28 and November 2, All Souls Day.

The custom has been a tradition in Mexico for thousands of years. It offers people an opportunity to remember, mourn, and celebrate their loved ones.

One of the many traditions of this celebration are the altars where photographs, personal belongings, favorite foods, flowers, candles, and desserts are included to remember the deceased, to welcome them home and remind them that they have not been forgotten.

Take a moment to view or add to the vibrant altar located in the World Language corridor.

Pictured above, the 2019 Day of the Dead Altar at CCHS, which honors Mrs. Laura O’Connor’s daughter Christina Laserna, who passed away at the age of 24; her mother Margarita Martinez, age 87; and her brother Jesus David Peraza, age 65. Also featured is a photo of recently deceased Gertrude O'Neil, 97, mother of former CCHS faculty member James O'Neil.

 

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Pastelitos, Café Con Leche, & Pan de Agua for Sale in the Raider Café

Café Con Leche, Pan de Agua for Sale in the Raider Café

Throughout September and mid-October

• For $1.00, enjoy a small cup of cafe con leche (a drink enjoyed throughout Latin America of espresso w. milk or w. condensed milk)
• For $1.00, enjoy Pan de Agua, a breakfast roll similar to the French baguette but smaller and from the Dominican Republic.

Pastelitos (also known as Empanadas) for Sale in the Raider Café

2:15 PM, Thursday, October 17

Presented by SCOPE

For $2.00, enjoy meat-filled pastelitos, also known as an empanadas, as an afternoon snack.

Pastelitos are small turnovers made with a puff pastry-style wrapper crimped at the edges and fried.

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Thank you for joining with the Central Catholic Family to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

 

About Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.

Click here to read Central Catholic's Declaration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

We are Unique in our Diversity.

Students come to Central Catholic from over 60 cities and towns.

We come from diverse backgrounds and experiences to form a caring community of faith, learning, and service.

We come together as classmates, peers, and teammates.

We learn together and from one another as we develop a deeper understanding of who we are as people and how we fit together as a community.

We are Central.