By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
FORT LAUDERDALE |For the second year in a row, Cardinal Gibbons High School partnered with Cross Catholic for a food packing event. It was held at the Fort Lauderdale high school on a Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, the start of Catholic Schools Week.
Over 60,000 meals were packed, 6,000 of which were sent to local food banks to help the South Florida community. Students from nearby Catholic elementary schools and members of other community organizations assisted as well.
Among other activities for Catholic Schools Week — and to mark the National Eucharistic Revival (2022-25) — Gibbons students took part in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by a eucharistic procession and benediction of the school campus, students, faculty and staff. The Jan. 31 event was led by an alumnus, Father Ryan Saunders (class of 2002), who now serves as secretary to Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
Father Ryan Saunders, a class of 2002 alumnus, holds up the Blessed Sacrament for students of Cardinal Gibbons High School, Jan. 30, 2024, during a eucharistic procession that marked that was part of the Fort Lauderdale school's Catholic Schools Week festivities.
Students walk and pray during a eucharistic procession at Cardinal Gibbons High School, Jan. 30, 2024, part of the Fort Lauderdale school's Catholic Schools Week festivities.
Father Ryan Saunders, a class of 2002 alumnus, carries the Blessed Sacrament in procession through the halls and classrooms of Cardinal Gibbons High School, Jan. 30, 2024, as part of the Fort Lauderdale school's Catholic Schools Week festivities.
Father Ryan Saunders, a class of 2002 alumnus, carries the Blessed Sacrament in procession through the halls and classrooms of Cardinal Gibbons High School, Jan. 30, 2024, as part of the Fort Lauderdale school's Catholic Schools Week festivities.
Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration after a eucharistic procession at Cardinal Gibbons High School, Jan. 30, 2024, part of the Fort Lauderdale school's Catholic Schools Week festivities.
Photography: Melinda Green Photography, LLC
Eucharistic procession at Sts. Peter and Paul
Father Luis Flores, parish administrator, leads a eucharistic procession on the grounds of Sts. Peter and Paul School in Miami Jan. 28, 2024, to kick off the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3.
Father Luis Flores, parish administrator, blesses students and parents after leading a eucharistic procession on the grounds of Sts. Peter and Paul School in Miami Jan. 28, 2024, to kick off the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3.
Father Luis Flores, parish administrator, prays before the Blessed Sacrament along with students and parents after leading a eucharistic procession on the grounds of Sts. Peter and Paul School in Miami Jan. 28, 2024, to kick off the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3.
Photography: COURTESY
MIAMI | Sts. Peter and Paul School also kicked off its Catholic Schools Week celebration with a eucharistic procession, adoration and benediction Jan. 28, led by Father Luis Flores, parish administrator.
Bringing a logo to life at St. Timothy
Photographer: COURTESY
During a parish-wide Mass Jan. 28, 2024, St. Timothy School students dressed in the colors of the Catholic Schools Week 2024 logo to bring to life the various ways the parish and school community are "united in faith and community."
Photographer: COURTESY
The entire student body of St. Timothy School came together on the basketball court Jan. 30, 2024, to bring to life the colors of the Catholic Schools Week 2024 logo, "united in faith and community."
MIAMI | At St. Timothy School, the entire school body came together twice — Jan. 28 at the parish-wide kick-off Mass and Jan. 30 on the basketball court — to recreate the National Catholic Educational Association's Catholic Schools Week logo: United in Faith & Community.
In preparation, students created the links in their classrooms and the teachers put them together. Each grade group was assigned a color and dressed in that color. On Jan. 30, the students gathered on the basketball court to form the logo.
During the Jan. 28 Mass, parishioners heard a presentation explaining the various ways the school and parish are united in faith and community, as each group of students processed in and circled around the church forming the logo.
"The presentation helped students and families understand why we celebrate our Catholic school. It brought the abstract to life," said school principal Susana Rivera.
Loads of fun and learning at St. James
St. James eighth grader Elijah Michel kicks the ball during a field day soccer game at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
Sister Marilyn Marie Minter of the Felician Sisters speaks to St. James students during a career day at the North Miami school that also focused on vocations, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
Kindergarten students pose with members of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue who visited St. James School in North Miami for a career day, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
Officer Torres from the North Miami Police Mounted Unit speaks to first graders at St. James during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
North Miami Police Chief Cherise Giordani Gause talks to middle school students at St. James during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
St. James third grader Marcelin Fils-Aime tries on some special equipment brought by Officer Mirjah of the North Miami Police department during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
An electrician from Florida Power & Light speaks to sixth graders at St. James during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
Tanayiz Bertrand, a folklore dancer and case worker from Sant La, the Haitian Neighborhood Center, performs for students at St. James during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
An officer from the North Miami Police K-9 Unit speaks to eighth graders at St. James during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
Officer Andrade from the North Miami Police Crime Scene Unit speaks to eighth graders at St. James during career day at the North Miami school, part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024.
Photography: COURTESY
NORTH MIAMI | A fun field day and a career day with special emphasis on vocations highlighted the Catholic Schools Week celebration at St. James School.
During the Jan. 30 field day, students participated in outdoor activities and games that promote physical activity and teamwork while providing a break from regular classroom routines, explained Frances Fresneda, St. James athletic director.
Among those who spoke to the students about careers and vocations Feb. 1 were members of the North Miami Police Department, including Chief Cherise Giordani Gause, Felician Sister Marilyn Marie Minter, and St. James parochial vicar, Father Edwin Diesen.“We hope to inspire children and showcase the importance of community service and public safety,” said Fresneda.
Pig Roast BBQ teams at St. Theresa School and Little Flower Parish in Coral Gables competed both on the taste of their pigs and the creativity of their team names and booth decorations, Jan. 28, 2024.
Pig Roast BBQ teams at St. Theresa School and Little Flower Parish in Coral Gables competed both on the taste of their pigs and the creativity of their team names and booth decorations, Jan. 28, 2024.
While the pigs were roasting, parents and kids who took part in the Pig Roast BBQ enjoyed games and activities on the field at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, Jan. 28, 2024.
While the pigs were roasting, parents and kids who took part in the Pig Roast BBQ enjoyed games and activities on the field at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, Jan. 28, 2024.
While the pigs were roasting for the Pig Roast BBQ competition, parents, kids and Carmelite Sister Rosalie Nagy, school principal, enjoyed games and activities on the field at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, Jan. 28, 2024.
Little Flower's parochial vicar Father Andrew Tomonto, left, and pastor Father Manny Alvarez, get ready to judge the offerings of the Pig Roast BBQ teams during the kick-off of Catholic Schools Week at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, Jan. 28, 2024.
Little Flower's pastor, Father Manny Alvarez, gives the grand prize of the Pig Roast BBQ competition to the Barbie-themed team during the kick-off of Catholic Schools Week at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, Jan. 28, 2024.
Community Day, part of the Catholic Schools Week celebration at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, featured the students dressed as their favorite member of the community, with lots of nurses, police officers and firefighters represented, Jan. 30, 2024.
Community Day, part of the Catholic Schools Week celebration at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, featured the students dressed as their favorite member of the community, with lots of nurses, police officers and firefighters represented, Jan. 30, 2024.
Community Day, part of the Catholic Schools Week celebration at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, featured the students dressed as their favorite member of the community, with lots of nurses, police officers and firefighters represented, Jan. 30, 2024.
Community Day, part of the Catholic Schools Week celebration at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, featured the students dressed as their favorite member of the community, with lots of nurses, police officers and firefighters represented, Jan. 30, 2024.
Father Manny Alvarez, Little Flower's pastor, and Carmelite Sister Rosalie Nagy, principal of St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, pose for a selfie with students and other Carmelite Sisters during the Catholic Schools Week celebration, Jan. 30, 2024.
St. Theresa students perform at the Festival of Praise which took place at the Coral Gables school as part of Catholic School Festivities, Feb. 1, 2024.
St. Theresa students perform at the Festival of Praise which took place at the Coral Gables school as part of Catholic School Festivities, Feb. 1, 2024.
St. Theresa students perform at the Festival of Praise which took place at the Coral Gables school as part of Catholic School Festivities, Feb. 1, 2024.
Photography: COURTESY
From Pig Roast to Festival of Praise at St. Theresa
CORAL GABLES | At St. Theresa School, Catholic Schools Week kicked off with a Sunday, Jan. 28, Pig Roast BBQ which was free and open to the entire school and parish. Teams roasted pigs in different ways as part of a BBQ contest and families got together and tasted the various options while enjoying games on the school field. The competing teams won based on popular opinion of their BBQ and on how they decorated their booths.
The rest of the school week also featured fun and community. On Monday, Community Day, the students dressed as their favorite member of the community. There were nurses, police officers, firefighters and more. On Tuesday, the students celebrated the USA by wearing red, white and blue. On Wednesday, students and faculty dressed in their favorite St. Theresa School gear to celebrate their love of the school and parish, while showing special appreciation to the Carmelite Sisters who staff the school and the parish priests. On Thursday, students and faculty showed off their love of Jesus with special T-shirts and rosaries. And Friday, the students and faculty again wore their favorite St. Theresa shirts to celebrate the end of Catholic Schools Week.
An event unique to St.
Theresa School is the Festival of Praise, which also was celebrated on Thursday
of Catholic Schools Week. The festival is “a special celebration of faith and
God” organized by the Carmelite Sisters and music teachers at the school.
Update on events at St. Theresa School added Feb. 21, 2024.
