Catholic schools gear up to celebrate Catholic education
January 13, 2015
HOUSTON, GALVESTON — With a continuous theme of "Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service," the 61 schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston are preparing to celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25 – 31.
The annual week-long event is dedicated to celebrating the exceptional standards of Catholic schools, school achievements, individual school communities nationwide and to open the doors for parents interested in learning more about Catholic education for their children.
Throughout the week, every Catholic school in the nation will host a number of activities each day, ranging from volunteer activities to parent and grandparent appreciation events.
Regina Galassi, director of campus ministry at Incarnate Word Academy (IWA), said one of the highlights of the school's week includes a luncheon with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.
"IWA values the legacy of the Sisters and strives to maintain that connection as new changes abound at IWA." she said. "Since 2012, Sisters from the convent were invited to enjoy time with IWA students, giving students a great opportunity to meet these remarkable women."
St. John Paul II Catholic School also has many planned events, including a talent show and a staff vs. students volleyball game.
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in The Woodlands will begin their week with Rosary Day, where kids dress up in a decades clothing to celebrate the decades of the Rosary. A Rosary will also be prayed in every religion class. Christ the Redeemer Catholic School, preparing for their first Catholic Schools Week, will also include a Rosary in their events.
"We are having a living Rosary, open house on Thursday and a ‘Souperbowl' day on Friday," Betty Sierra, principal of Christ the Redeemer School, said.
Patti Abbott, principal at Galveston's O'Connell College Preparatory High School, said the school will kick off their service project in January, symbolizing the knowledge and service part of the theme of the week.
"Students will bring new or gently used children's and young adult books to be donated either to UTMB Pediatric Unit, Ronald McDonald House, or Shrine Burns Hospital," she said.
She said the students will also have a project to symbolize faith.
"In theology classes we will have students design posters which celebrate why they go to Catholic school and what they have gotten out of it," Abbott said.
Other events at the school are special dress days, such as Hippie Day, Twin Day and Throwback Thursday.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School has several things planned, like the annual Eighth Grade/Senior Citizen Breakfast and Bingo. On Thursday Mobile Ed comes to teach the students about Ben Franklin in addition to the eighth grade vs. staff basketball game.
At St. Laurence Catholic School in Sugar Land, Tuesday is a No Homework Night and No Uniform Day. On Wednesday is "Get Up and Move Day," in which patriotic music will be randomly played throughout the day and the students will get up and move, dance and sing when it plays.
To find a Catholic school near you, visit catholicschools4me.org. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education throughout the United States.