Allentown Central Catholic High School will offer a Pilgrimage to Italy trip June 18-28, 2024. An informational meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in Masson Auditorium for anyone interested. The trip will include stops in Rome, Florence, Cinque, Terra and Assisi. Visit Campus Ministry with any questions.

Shadow days will begin Nov. 7 for any seventh, eighth or high school transfer students who would like to experience a day at Central. Visitors will be paired with a student and accompany them to classes and lunch. Register at www.acchs.info/visit-acchs.

The Class of 2003’s 20th reunion will occur 6-9 p.m. Nov. 25 at Sports and Social, 645 Hamilton St, Allentown. Email Michael Shelton at mshelton629@gmail.com for more information.

The Class of 1983 will host its 40th reunion Oct. 21. Alumni may volunteer at Feed the Children Distribution Center 9 a.m. to noon then receive a school tour 12:30-1:30 p.m., followed by a celebration at Jack’s Slice, 3400 Tilghman St., Allentown, 2-6 p.m. Contact Colleen or John Kern with any questions.

The ACCHS Class of 1973 will hold its 50th reunion 5:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Lehigh Country Club, 2319 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown. Your reservation/payment is due by Sept. 25. Please write a check payable to “CCHS Class of ‘73” and mail it to Cliff Cardine, 5620 Old Mile Hill Road, Orefield, 18069. Contact Cliff at ltccc@ptd.net with any questions.

Father Tom Kessler, Class of 1973, will also celebrate a Mass 11:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, 1825 W. Turner St., Allentown. A multi-class gathering will be held at Liederkranz Northampton, 402 E. Ninth St, Northampton, 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Contact Mike Pruzinsky, Robert Guignet, Anne Denuel or Mike Croslis for more information. Details regarding all ACCHS reunions are posted at https://www.acchs.info/reunion-news.

The 2023-2024 Youth Volunteer Council is searching for new volunteers. This volunteer opportunity gives students the chance to support their communities, make new friends and earn service hours. The council will hold an orientation meeting 5:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem. Email youthcouncil@volunteerlv.org for more information. Sign-up is available through the online weekly newsletter, which includes more details about these volunteering events and will show more opportunities in the future. Each grade has a required number of service hours per school year, displayed on the school website under the “ministry” tab. Service hours for the 2023-2024 school year are due April 15, 2024. Service hours for the Day Maurin Service Society are not due until May 14, 2024.

The Viking 5K will be Oct. 29 and support the ACCHS Central City Project. The 5K’s route will surround J. Birney Crum Stadium, 2027 Linden St., Allentown. Registration and number pickup begins 11 a.m. outside the stadium’s southwest entrance. The one mile fun run/walk commences 1 p.m. followed by the 5K 1:30 p.m. The race will feature timed results, a clock at the finish line and refreshments afterward. The event will occur rain or shine, but no refunds or mailed awards will be offered.

Participants will receive awards for an overall first place male/female finish or for finishing in the top three males/females in their age group. The age groups will be 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

Participants of all ages are welcome to walk or run the fun one mile race. Register for the 5K by Oct. 15 for a discounted rate and receive a guaranteed shirt, but registration will still be open after Oct. 15 (and a shirt while supplies last). Register for the fun run by Oct. 15 or for higher cost after Oct. 15. The fun run does not include a free shirt or awards. Email acchsviking5k@gmail.com with any questions. Sign up through the form located in the Viking Weekly Newsletter.

The Central City Project is holding a food drive this week, which supplies the Central Catholic food pantry and benefits residents from the Jordan Heights neighborhood surrounding the school. Students donating five items or more will earn a casual spirit dress down day Oct. 20. Food items will be collected in homeroom. Each class has a recommendation on which type of food item to donate.

Freshmen are asked to donate boxes of mac and cheese, pasta and spaghetti sauce. Sophomores may bring hot or cold cereals, peanut butter, jelly and meals in a can, (like chili, stews and ravioli).

Juniors may bring canned fruit, rice, soups, vegetables and healthy snacks.

Seniors may bring canned tuna or chicken, beans and meals in a can.

Miscellaneous items like ketchup, mustard, mayo and oils may also be donated. Tab tops are preferred and no items may be glass or already expired.

In anticipation of the Homecoming football game and dance this weekend, this week is Spirit Week for all Vikings, with different themed dress down days every day. Tomorrow, Sept. 21 is a decades/throwback dress down day and Sept. 22 is green and gold day. The Homecoming pep rally will be held 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22. The football team will face Parkland 7:30 p.m. that night at J. Birney Crum Stadium, 2027 Linden St, Allentown.

The Homecoming dance will be 7-10 p.m. Sept. 23 in Rockne Hall.

The fall sports season at Central has been filled with success, beginning with the Vikette tennis team, who currently has a record of 8-1 with numerous sweeps.

The volleyball team remains undefeated after a huge win over Parkland Sept. 14.

The football team is 4-0, with their latest win over Freedom Sept. 16.

The Vikings won 35-34 to defeat the Patriots for the first time since 2010.

Both soccer teams also acquired several wins the last few weeks. The boys soccer senior night will be 3:30-4 p.m. Oct. 3 and the girls senior night will be 5:15-5:45 p.m. Oct. 5.

Earlier this month, the ACCHS cross-country team participated in the Northampton Cross Country Invitational, where the Vikings placed fourth in 2A and the Vikettes placed third.

Talented members of the Central golf team have also competed in various matches so far.