ADVENT & CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS

As the Christmas season is upon us and we prepare for the celebration of the day and the new year, we reflect on the past year as a community. Personally, I enjoy this time of the year the most because of the uplifting atmosphere associated with the holiday. In addition, spending time with family, and friends, attending mass on Christmas Eve, and decorating around the houses are especially enjoyable. I also take this opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to the upcoming year with new goals. I wish everyone in the Father Judge community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The following is an interview conducted with Junior student Nicholas Kolodij ‘24. 

P: What does the Christmas season mean to you?

N: The Christmas season means to me that I get to see my family members that I don’t get to see often and spend time with them, while also reflecting on Jesus’ birth.

P: What do you spend your time doing during this period?

N: I spend my time with my family and friends hanging out, participating in festive activities, and getting a much-needed break from school. 

P: How have you reflected over this past year during this season?

N: During this season, I attend mass and go to confession to reflect on the past year. 

P: What are you most looking forward to at the start of the new year?

N: I’m most looking forward to starting off the New Year with improvements in my grades, while also finding more time to become more involved in the school community.

Peter Gerace

HOPES, WISHES & RESOLUTIONS FOR 2023

As we take this Advent Season to reflect, it is inevitable that we also look into the future at the new year of possibilities waiting for us. Below you will find some of the Judge students' hopes, wishes, and resolutions for the new year!  

To be happy

I wish that that judge wrestling wins the PCLS 

World Peace 

For there to be snow! 

I hope that Fusion Gyms brings back their guest pass 

Better Grades

Phillies Ring 

Lose 15 pounds 

For the Eagles to win Super Bowl!

Record deal and Super Bowl ring 

To improve academically and For our basketball team to beat Ryan on January 3

Get good grades 

Be a good person 

To be healthy again with my knee

Judge makes playoffs 

To get stronger this off-season 

David Rodriguez- To wish the judge baseball teams Bring home the PCL chip

To work out everyday 

To gain 20 pounds of muscle

Devote more time to sports outside of school

My new years wish is to sell 50 hoodies from my clothing brand by the end of the school year 

Christian Eroh

WORLD CUP CHAMPS

So if you somehow missed the World Cup it was a great finale, it was tied and went into penalty kicks and eventually, Argentina won the World Cup. The biggest matchup everyone was talking about was Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. Mbappé was defending France’s 2018 win at the tournament in Russia, and Messi was playing in his final World Cup match, looking to claim the trophy which has eluded him for so long. Both Mbappé and Messi scored in the shootout but in the end, with France missing two penalties, it was the Argentina captain who was mobbed by his teammates as his World Cup dream was lived out in real-time. 

These two players demonstrated the beautiful game in vibrant, brilliant high definition over the course of two hours of soccer, each at a different stage of their careers. They both deserved this and I congratulate both teams on making it that far.

I think this World Cup was the best and it will be remembered for so many reasons, Messi’s moment of history, Mbappé’s hat-trick in defeat, and the rocking of emotions throughout the game as they went to a shootout. 

Mick Murray

PHILLIES: RELOADING, NOT REBUILDING

After a devastating game 6 loss in the World Series against the Houston Astros, Philadelphia has begun its hunt for a championship yet again. The off-season started out bittersweet after the loss of Jean Segura in the starting lineup and pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Corey Knebel, Kyle Gibson, Brad Hand, and David Robertson. 

But just like that the Philadelphia front office came out with a bang. Philadelphia acquired SS Trea Turner from the Dodgers Tuner at one point in his career playing with Bryce Harper as a National. Turner signed an 11-year, 300 Million dollar contract. 

With the addition of Turner, the Phillies also picked up RHP Taijuan Walker on a 4-year contract. Walker played for the Mets his last few years and over his career played 167 games, 806 strikeouts, and a 3.89 ERA. Additionally adding RHP Matt Strahm. Strahm played from the Red Socks last year, playing 50 games with 129 strikeouts and a 3.81 ERA. 

The Phillies have a bad taste left in their mouth from last year and the season ahead will definitely have a bunch of bumps on the road. Bryce Harper will be getting UCL surgery and is expected to make his return sometime after the all-star break in mid-July. Players will have to step up this year if they want to finish next season hoisting a World Series but it is too early to tell.

Andrew Wenger