The National Catholic Educational Association and Catholic schools across the United States will join together from Jan. 31 through Feb. 7 for Celebrate Catholic Schools Week.
The nationwide celebration may look a little different this year, but the pillars of faith, excellence and service are still the foundation of each school’s work.
Nationally, the Catholic education system has an impact on almost 2 million students each year. The Diocese of Cleveland educates approximately 37,000 students enrolled in Catholic schools across eight counties.
The majority of schools within the diocese are minimizing activities or adjusting the celebration to a later date in the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, several K-8 schools will be embrace the traditional celebration including: St. Ambrose in Brunswick; St. Anthony of Padua in Lorain; St. Thomas More in Brooklyn; Holy Family in Parma; Incarnate Word Academy in Parma Heights; SS. Robert and William in Euclid and St. Mary of the Falls in Olmsted Falls.
During the week, students, families and teachers will participate in activities that demonstrate how working together in Christ within a faith-based education setting helps serve a greater community outside school walls.
Traditionally, open houses, art shows and parish-wide celebrations would take place at this time of year. However, due to the pandemic this year, virtual open houses will take place online with interactive video tours and student testimonials.
At St. Anthony of Padua School in Lorain, the weeklong celebration will be outward facing, as the students and staff celebrate parents and front-line workers.
“At St. Anthony we are focusing on building relationships within the community and honoring those that we may take for granted such as those employed at our local grocery stores, restaurants, nursing facilities and members of the military,” said Julio Alarcon, St. Anthony’s principal.
While focusing on themes of Catholic social teaching such as the call to family and community, the school organized a donation drive for daily hygiene products, collected socks to send to soldiers away on duty as well as health and safety items. Hand sanitizer, wipes and items collected will be added to gift baskets that the students will assemble and deliver to those employed at businesses within the community.
“Many members of our community have worked on the front lines since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Alarcon. “We want to share with them that we appreciate the important job they do to serve the neediest and provide a service to countless people. Our students are learning about respect and remembering those who may have been forgotten. It was important to us to express our gratitude to the parent that works behind the deli counter or the parent that is waiting tables at a restaurant.”
St. Ambrose School in Brunswick also embraces the community by kicking off Catholic Schools Week with a virtual community leaders appreciation event on Feb. 1. The theme, “See the Good, Be the Good,” features guest speaker Dawn Kendrick, founder of The Good Stuff by Dawn, a multimedia group focused on paying it forward.
In previous years, St. Ambrose hosted an in-person community event. By shifting to a virtual event, St. Ambrose identified a unique opportunity to expand its platform and share Dawn’s message with the entire parish, all school families, alumni and more.
“Over 500 community members are typically invited to our in-person event,” said Breanne Logue, director for institutional advancement and admissions at St. Ambrose. “Now a more expanded audience is able to hear Dawn’s powerful testimony during these challenging times.”
Click here to view the link for St. Ambrose Feb 1 virtual presentation and follow the RSVP prompts.
Throughout the week, St. Ambrose will be celebrating its community with gratitude. Students created artwork that will be delivered to key partners and nearby businesses.
The diocesan 2020-2021 State of the Schools Report, published this month, highlights accomplishments from all 108 Catholic schools in the diocese.
To learn about ways to finance and afford a Catholic education, click here.