Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic schools and their contribution to their communities and the nation, is set for Jan. 25 through Jan. 31, 2009. For more than three decades, the nation’s Catholic schools have spent the last week of January recalling what makes Catholic education special.

The 2009 theme is “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service,” which highlights the mission of Catholic schools to provide a faith-based education that supports the whole child academically and spiritually and prepares students for future success.

Across the country, schools will observe the week with special Masses, community service projects, academic and artistic showcases, and athletic and family events. St. Mary Catholic School will hold an open house immediately following Masses on Sunday, January 25, so that parish and community members can learn more about the value of Catholic education.

“Civic engagement is a hallmark of Catholic education,” said Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). “The majority of elementary and secondary schools participate in service projects ranging from collecting canned goods for the homeless to rebuilding schools in the hurricane-torn gulf, so it was natural that we choose service as a major theme.”

See you at the open house!

John Gilboe
Principal
St. Mary Catholic School
 

Calendar of events for Catholic School Week:

• Sunday, 1/25 - School Open House from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

• Monday, 1/26 - 8th grade CSW Celebration Mass in Lansing at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, 1/27 - Spirit Day - Wear your Wildcat gear!

• Wednesday, 1/28 – Invite a Friend to Lunch! event                 

• Thursday, 1/29 – Teacher-Swap Day; Bay Sail Dress Down Day

• Friday, 1/30 – Math Challenge in the Gym, 2:00 p.m.