Catholic Schools Week unites schools, parishes

St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School students carry special candles designed with their families that honor saints. The candles are used during special Masses throughout the year. (

Photo courtesy of St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School)

HOUSTON — Around the Archdiocese, Catholic schools are currently celebrating Catholic Schools Week, which began last Sunday, Jan. 25, and will end Saturday, Jan. 31. This year’s theme is “United in Faith and Community.”

The annual initiative, organized by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, lets Catholic schools highlight their best attributes, ranging from student accomplishments, faith-based communities, curriculum programs, faculty and more.

The week’s activities intend to showcase how a Catholic education positively impacts not only the families who have children enrolled at Catholic schools, but also the associated parish and the Galveston-Houston community at large.

“When parents enroll their children in a Catholic school, the family becomes part of a community where everyone is welcome. Students are challenged to problem solve, think critically, collaborate and serve others,” Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., superintendent of Catholic Schools, said. “They are inspired to use their God-given gifts to make the world a better place. Catholic schools prepare students not only for college and career, but most importantly, heaven.”

Many schools organize events that exhibit their achievements in science, technology, religion, engineering, art and mathematics (STREAM), with activities ranging from science fairs, math nights, service projects, virtue awards and career days.

Kicking off the week on Sunday, Jan. 25, Resurrection Catholic School, in Denver Harbor, had students participating in the 11 a.m. English Mass at the Church of the Resurrection, serving as altar servers, lectors, choir and greeters. This opportunity connected students with the parish life outside of their normal school week. Following Mass, the school hosted an open house for prospective families and community members to visit the campus, further bringing the school and church together, and all grades joined a school-wide classroom door decorating contest.

Sarah Turner, principal at Resurrection Catholic School, said the school was hosting a toiletries drive benefiting Casa Juan Diego. “We have done this activity before and found it to be a meaningful way to raise awareness of the basic needs within our surrounding community, needs that can be easy to take for granted,” Turner said. “Each homeroom is assigned a specific item, such as shampoo, deodorant or toothbrushes, so that every student can contribute in a tangible way.”

St. John Paul II Catholic School, near the Energy Corridor, will have a homeroom competition through a trivia game each day of the week. 

“Since introducing morning trivia a few years ago, students have grown in their knowledge of the faith and take pride in what they have learned,” Rebecca Bogard, St. John Paul II Catholic School principal, said. “Each event during Catholic Schools Week at St. John Paul II Catholic School is thoughtfully designed to celebrate the gift of Catholic education and the strong community built through our school. Together, we honor our mission to prepare students both spiritually and academically to do God’s will and succeed in life.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Rosenberg’s Holy Rosary School “students will step into the role of teacher for a day. Students will plan and lead engaging STREAM lessons to teach their classmates and peers,” Adrienne Rodriguez, principal at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Rosenberg, said. “

We hope this activity empowers students by building leadership, responsibility and confidence. Teaching highlights the unique gifts each child brings to our school community.” Rodriguez also said she loves Catholic Schools Week because the school gets to celebrate the amazing sacrifices parents make to choose Holy Rosary Catholic School for their children.

Wednesday, Jan. 28, officials at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, near Garden Oaks, said they proudly continue the tradition of Operation Valentine in partnership with American Legion Post 560. 

“Every student takes part in creating Valentine cards for veterans, and one fortunate class is selected to walk to Post 560 to personally deliver them,” Stefanie Tellier, principal at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, said. “We have been blessed to meet distinguished veterans from all branches of the military, along with service animals, and to hear powerful stories from those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.” 

Tellier said that by supporting veterans, she hopes students will gain a deeper understanding of the many individuals who work each day to protect and serve our nation, in seen and unseen ways, and to more deeply appreciate the freedoms that allow them to receive a Catholic education.

Thursday, Jan. 29, students at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in The Woodlands will be invited into a living encounter with the communion of saints and with the Eucharist by participating in a school-wide Eucharistic procession through the school hallways, followed by veneration of the relics of the saints. 

Students are divided into small school families across multiple grade levels called “Paduan Pods,” which meet regularly to grow together in community and faith. Each group is named after a saint, and the parish is home to approximately 170 saint relics at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, including a relic for each of the saints honored by the groups, said Veronica Tucker, principal at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School.

“Our hope is that this sacred time will help students recognize how God may be calling them to live out their gifts in service to others. We believe this experience has the potential to be a truly life-changing moment for our students and staff,” she said.

Friday, Jan. 30, St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School in central Houston is awarding students for their displays of virtue and kindness. 

“Two students from each grade are chosen by their teachers for living a virtue in an evident way, and they are recognized with awards at the school Mass on the last Friday of each month,” Deena Wolf, principal at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School, said. “The Kindness Chain is part of our Virtue of the Month program. This is the first year we have implemented this program, and it has been inspiring to see our students so determined to grow in virtue.”

Later that day, Father Jaison Mangalath, SVD, the school pastor, will bless the campus’ new Marian Prayer Garden, which is a gift from the Catholic Women’s Charity Guild and the parish community. “This will be a very special and prayerful moment for our students’ families and parish as we dedicate this sacred space to Our Blessed Mother.”

Students said they hope the new space will allow students to have religion class outdoors to pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, she said. “Catholic Schools Week is a very meaningful time for our school community. It allows us to celebrate faith, academic excellence and service while strengthening the partnership between our school parish and families.”

As Catholic schools celebrate Catholic Schools Week, many schools share their activities on social media using #CSW26. The following week, Texas Education Freedom Accounts applications open on Feb. 4, which may be accepted by Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

To learn more about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and how to enroll for TEFA, visit www.choosecatholicschools.org.

---
Media contact
Elizabeth Moralesemoralesarchgh.org