By Julie Tyrrell - Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO | Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory students, joined by (from left) their principal Teresita Wardlow, Father Michael Grady of St. Jerome, their teacher Gina Billisi and their president, Marianist Father Larry Doersching, celebrated Catholic Schools Week with the theme of "Choosing Catholic Education in the Marianist Tradition."
HOLLYWOOD | Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory joined Catholic schools around the country last week to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, a national annual celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across America play in providing a values-added education for our country's youth. Since Catholic Schools Week converges with Chaminade-Madonna's celebration of the Society of Mary's Marianist Heritage Month during January (Chaminade-Madonna is a Marianist-sponsored Catholic school), the high school chose the theme of "Choosing Catholic Education in the Marianist Tradition" for its weeklong celebration.
Chaminade-Madonna students participated in several events throughout the week geared around different aspects of the "Choosing Catholic Education in the Marianist Tradition" theme. The week of activities kicked off with a schoolwide student assembly. Several guest speakers, including Father Michael Grady, Chaminade-Madonna Board of Trustees member and pastor at St. Jerome Church in Fort Lauderdale, Assistant State Attorney and Chaminade-Madonna current parent and class of 1983 alumnus Gregg Rossman, and Chaminade-Madonna faculty member and class of 1993 alumna Gina Billisi, shared their gratitude for their Catholic education and faith with students. In addition, students participated in the sacrament of Reconciliation, joined together in quiet reflection and prayer for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and made donations to a fellow Marianist school in Malawi so that children in the African country can continue to benefit from a Catholic education in the Marianist tradition.
Chaminade-Madonna's president, Marianist Father Larry Doersching, commented on the importance of Catholic schools and what makes a Catholic education in the Marianist tradition so special. He said, "Any Catholic school stands on the shoulders of so many educators and alumni, on the shoulders of a system that has shaped the values and aspirations of our country, our cities and our families. And every Catholic school looks to the future with hopes that our mission will continue to provide well-educated believers who trust in our loving God to lead us in building the Kingdom of God in our world at this time. That's why we celebrate our great heritage and enthusiastically embrace our futures."
