Catholic schools across the nation held celebrations like this one in California as part of National Catholic Schools Week. | Facebook/National Catholic Educational Association (Official)
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski led a special Mass at St. Mary Cathedral Feb. 1 in celebration as part of National Catholic Schools Week. Student representatives from all of the Archdiocese of Miami’s elementary and high schools were invited to attend.
“This Mass (was) a wonderful expression of our unity and excellence during our Catholic Schools Week activities,” Jim Rigg, superintendent of Miami Catholic Schools, said in a release.
Twelve students were chosen from each school to participate by serving at the altar, as lectors or as members of the choir, along with school pastors and other priests.
Catholic schools across the nation celebrated the theme of "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” this week with an array of festivities, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) said on its website.
National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It has been observed since 1974. It begins on the final Sunday of January and the week is typically marked by special Masses, open houses and other events for students, families, parishioners and the community, according to the NCEA. During these events, schools highlight the impact Catholic education has on young people, communities and our nation.
Besides the Archdiocese of Miami, Bishop John Noonan of the Diocese of Orlando also marked the event. He wrote a letter to parents, guardians, faculty, staff and students in commemoration of National Catholic Schools Week.
"This is a week of remembrance for all of us who have been given or are receiving a Catholic education,” Noonan wrote. “We prayerfully reflect upon our faith journey – how we have come to know God.”
He then touched on the importance of Communion.
"We acknowledge God’s call and strive to live in His perfection, offering the excellence of His love to one another,” he said. “As we receive the Eucharist, we seek to be God’s goodness on this earth, living to benefit our brothers and sisters, that with them and for them we may build an earthly city, pleasing to God.”
Alerts Sign-up