Join in the Catholic Schools Week celebrations
Monday, January 30, 2012
*Kim Pryzbylski
The Catholic Community celebrates regularly through the Mass. The community also comes together to celebrate baptism, confirmation, marriage, ordination, and education. The Catholic community has the opportunity to celebrate Catholic schools on a national level during Catholic Schools Week. The celebration began on Jan. 29 and continues through Feb. 5. This provides the opportunity for pastors, principals, teachers, staff, students and parents to share all the wonderful things that occur on a daily basis with others.
The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is “Catholic Schools—Faith. Academics. Service.” The focus is on three priorities that Catholic schools have established that make them stand out from other educational institutions. Catholic schools start each day with prayer. Teachers infuse faith in all subject areas throughout the day. Just as faith is an integral part of the school, so is the sense of community. Both parents and students state that the sense of belonging is very important.
Academic excellence has always been equated with Catholic schools. The expectation is that every student will continue to excel with the help of dedicated teachers and supportive parents.
Service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others, is taught both as an expression of faith and good citizenship. Catholic school students are always ready to provide service to people in need. The students find ways to help the underserved in many different ways. One way is through clubs such as Helping Hands, Operation Smile, and Respect Life. When students take the initiative on service projects, they not only benefit the community, but also are learning how to become productive and engaged citizens.
Take this opportunity to join in the celebration at your local Catholic school. Check on the Archdiocese of Miami website to find the Catholic school nearest you. If your child does not already attend a Catholic school, please take the time to attend an open house to learn more about Catholic schools.
Comments from readers
In faith, hope and charity,
Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D.
Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School