The 42nd annual National Catholic Schools Week celebration kicks off today to observe the importance of Catholic education to students, their families and the community at large in Schuylkill County and throughout the country.
This year’s theme of “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service” is the same as in 2014 and 2015. The theme focuses on how the schools teach the Catholic faith, provide an educational curriculum of academic courses, show the importance of service to others and incorporate all three as part of the complete Christian life.
This year’s Catholic Schools Week is observed from today to Feb. 6. It always begins the last Sunday in January and runs through the week.
The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, said the week is a great time of celebration.
“Catholic Schools Week is always an exciting time for our schools,” Barres said. “Drawing inspiration from the people and the sacrifices of the past, I ask everyone to join with me in celebrating the gift of Catholic education. Let us all seek ways to take the great gift of Catholic education and strengthen it for our current students and for all those who will walk of the halls of our schools in the future.”
According to the website of the National Catholic Educational Association, which founded and continues to sponsor the week, schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the church, communities and nation.
Schuylkill County has seven schools in the Allentown Diocese. There are two diocesan high schools — Marian and Nativity BVM; four elementary schools — Assumption BVM, Pottsville, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, St. Jerome, Tamaqua and Trinity Academy, Shenandoah; and one special education school — St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, Pottsville.
The county also has one Catholic school in the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia — St. Nicholas School, Minersville.
There are daily themes and celebrations during the week, though schools can have other themes and activities to fit those themes.
The themese are:
• Sunday: In Our Parish
• Monday: In Our Community
• Tuesday: In Our Students
• Wednesday: In Our Nation (National Appreciation Day For Catholic Schools)
• Thursday: In Our Vocations
• Friday: In Our Faculty, Staff and Volunteers (Teacher & Principal Appreciation Day)
• Saturday: In Our Families
Local schools normally integrate the Saturday theme into the weekdays when school is in session.
According to the NCEA website, Catholic schools offer academic excellence and faith-filled education for students nationwide. National test scores, high school graduation rates, college attendance and other data show that Catholic schools frequently outperform schools in both the public and private sectors. While some Catholic schools are challenged by declining enrollments and school closures, the good news is that there is a strong demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools. Thirty-two percent of Catholic schools have waiting lists for admission and new schools are opening across the country.
Allentown Diocese Secretary for Catholic Education Philip J. Fromuth said, “The Diocese of Allentown joins 1.94 million students in over 6,500 Catholic schools across the country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week. In keeping with the national CSW theme, our schools demonstrate the many ways that they truly are ‛Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.’ Through a variety of events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the church, our communities and our nation.
“The annual observance of Catholic Schools Week is an occasion for schools to recognize the past, celebrate the present and explore opportunities for growth in the future. The diocesan school system consists of 43 schools and over 12,000 students in the counties of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill.”
Open houses are the main theme for Sunday at the schools, with some beginning at morning Mass in local churches. The following schools have open houses for the public:
• Assumption BVM: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Marian: Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., with program beginning at 1 p.m.
• St. Ambrose: 9:00 a.m. to noon for open house, science fair viewing and book fair, continental breakfast and new student registration
• St. Nicholas: Divine Liturgies at 9:30 and 11 a.m., with parish families given “thank you” notes prepared by the school students, and open house from noon to 2 p.m.
• St. Jerome: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the public open house to visit the Early Childhood Center, which houses kindergarten, first grade, Little Lion’s Preschool and Lion’s Den Physical Fitness facility and the main building with second to eighth grades, science lab, computer lab, library and main office.
On Monday, St. Nicholas School will host former student Kelsey Holland who will present safe, effective and entertaining workouts to students in the gym. It will also include the Hoops and Jump Rope for Heart kickoff for February.
Nativity BVM will be “Celebrating Our Faith that Strengthens Us” beginning with Mass at 10:30 a.m. Monday, and the school welcomes families and friends to join in the celebration. Partners’ School Night will be held at the Nativity vs. Marian basketball game.
On Tuesday, Trinity Academy will be celebrating an early spring on Groundhog Day. Even if the groundhog sees his shadow, students, faculty and staff will say “Good Bye, Ole’ Man Winter” as they dress in summer attire, enjoy a picnic lunch and play a little beach volleyball.
At St. Joseph Center, the students, assisted by adults, will cook a turkey dinner for nurses and aides that come to the school. Turkeys will be roasted and the fixings will be prepared. It will be served to the helpers, who will also get cards and gifts.
Marian students and faculty will attend Mass on Wednesday, have video chats with service men and women, and collect items to send to military personnel. Students will wear red, white and blue shirts.
Assumption BVM students will participate in the second annual Team Challenge Scavenger Hunt and Crazy Sock Day. In the scavenger hunt, students will be assigned to a team to find answers to academic questions. As a community service, students will donate a new pair of socks that will be given to Catholic Charities for the needy.
St. Ambrose Pride Day will be Friday. Students will wear St. Ambrose pride wear for the day. There will be a “teacher swap” from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and a pep rally to show St. Ambrose Pride. Appreciation treats will be given to the bus and van drivers.
