Catholic Schools Week... 2012

Catholic Schools Week began on  29 January and will continue through 5 February. It is a good opportunity each year to pray for our Catholic Schools and for our families. At Guerin Catholic High School, we will have an All School Mass at 9:00am this week. The most recent 29 January edition of The Catholic Moment, the diocesan newspaper of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, had a great story about Catholic Schools Week, including all the activities that our Catholic Schools have organized. It gave me some great ideas for the future. Normally, Catholic Schools will celebrate extra Masses and have open houses and additional activities for students, families and the greater community.

Please pray for our Catholic Schools. Pray especially for families who desire to one day send their children to these wonderful places where students can grow in their faith and also learn a great many things. Finally, pray for our teachers, administrators, priests and religious who work tirelessly to make our Catholic Schools a blessing to our world.

The theme of the 2012 Catholic Schools Week is "Faith. Academics. Service" according to the National Catholic Educational Association. Their website gives the following explanation for this year's theme: 

"The theme focuses on three priorities that Catholic schools establish that make them stand out from other educational institutions. Children are taught faith – not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God. Academics, which in Catholic schools are held to very high standards, help each child reach his or her potential. Service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others, is taught both as an expression of faith and good citizenship."

Another wonderful resource that includes some question and answer on Catholic Schools Week can be found here.

I am proud to be part of a Catholic School in Noblesville, Indiana. St. Theodore Guerin High School (Guerin Catholic High School). It is a special school that has only been in existence for about eight years. Since starting my ministry there in July of 2011, I have already seen the benefit to so many people. Our students lives are being positively influenced and our teachers are our super heroes. They do a fine job and we are blessed.

Finally, I would also encourage you to read more about Catholic Schools from the perspective of a Bishop. Bishop Timothy L. Doherty, the current Ordinary of the Diocese of Lafyette-in-Indiana, himself has had extensive experience in Catholic Schools from his many years serving these schools as a priest and now as a bishop. He wrote two articles about Catholic Schools. Please read those in their entirety here (2011) and here (2012). Enjoy, God bless and please pray for Catholic Schools.