Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated by Cathedral Catholic and Catholic schools across the United States during the upcoming week of January 30th thru February 5th. Since 1974, it has been a tradition for Catholic schools to recognize and appreciate their privileges as tight-knit communities of both education and faith.
CCHS principal Mr. Mike Deely believes that the tradition of the week serves to celebrate the choices made by families who choose a unique form of education.
He said, “Catholic schools provide some of the best forms of education because they include morality and can incorporate faith aspects. It is important for students to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by their parents that allow them to be a part of such a community. ”
Upon any occasion or circumstance, whether joyful or difficult, Catholic schools have the opportunity to come together as a faith community and even welcome other communities.
CCHS chaplain, Father Kelly, enjoys how students can join together in prayer both in and outside of the classroom and chapel.
He said, “It’s very special when our sports teams can openly join in prayer before competing. That moment of recognizing our shared faith truly encourages the community spirit.”
This year’s designated theme for the week is “Catholic Schools: A+ for America…”, which intends to serve as a reminder of Catholic schools being an added value for the nation by offering both good education and service.
At CCHS, students found and participate in various clubs that participate in community service. Students also complete a required sixty hours of service throughout their high school years. Teachers and staff have begun to participate in service projects as well.
Father Kelly is excited for students and faculty to begin working together on service projects in the near future. He said, “For the first two days of this semester, the faculty took park in helping with multiple social services and intercity Catholic schools. And we are working to incorporate student involvement on an upcoming faculty-in-service day since it was such a success.”
The upcoming week serves as a reminder of Catholic schools going the extra mile for charity. An important message Catholic Schools Week wishes to promote is taken directly from the Bible: “Whatever you did for one of these least of my mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).
Mr. Deely said, “We go above and beyond in that we provide a free service for this country. It’s important to recognize the success of Catholic schools as places of education and service as well as to appreciate the privilege they have to openly serve and celebrate their faith.”
CCHS plans to have days of teacher appreciation and special prayers and offerings at masses for the coming week. With not all students being familiar with or aware of the Catholic Schools Week tradition, Father Kelly thinks it would be a good idea for students to wear uniform polos to designated masses outside of school. This has been a practice of some of the other Catholic schools in the diocese.
He said, “In doing so, students make the statement that they want to recognize the uniqueness of their community. We are not an ordinary school, and for students to get up and say or show that they are proud to recognize and be a part of this community is why this week is so important to celebrate.”