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Catholic Schools Week 2012

Catholic Schools Week is a week set apart each year to share and celebrate what makes Catholic education distinctive and exceptional. The week is focused upon the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. Catholic Schools Week celebrates education that goes beyond preparation for a secular life; it is education that prepares students for a Christian life in this world and everlasting life in the next.

This year Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated January 29- February 3. The overall theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” The theme expresses three priorities that make Catholic schools stand out from other educational institutions: 1). Children learn about faith—not just basic Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God;2).They concentrate on academics, which in Catholic schools are held to the highest standards, so they can reach their highest potential; and 3)They practice service—giving time, talent and effort to help others—as an expression of both faith and good citizenship. This combined focus on faith, academics and service prepares students for full and meaningful lives.

During the week, we honor those who contribute to the success of our schools—students, families, faculty and staff, volunteers, community supporters, and local and national leaders. Each day is highlighted with special events and activities focused around the theme of the day which include students, prospective students, families and the wider community (see sidebar). A special prayer has been written for each day as well which will be posted daily on the diocesan website (www.dioceseofgaylord.org) so that everyone can be united in prayer for our Catholic Schools.

Catholic Schools enroll nearly half of all students in U.S. private schools. The Diocese of Gaylord is blessed to have 17 Catholic schools within its territory with a 2011-12 enrollment of 3,069, up by 127 students from the 2010-11 school year. Despite population shifts and severe financial difficulties facing northern Lower Michigan, the Diocese has not closed a Catholic School in more than ten years.

“There’s no doubt we have had to be creative in the way we have had to structure our schools in recent years, but it’s a great testament to the faith, tenacity and commitment of our families, staffs and supporters that we have been able to maintain all of our Catholic Schools,” noted Charles Taylor, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. “Together, we will continue to work hard to be visionaries in order to uphold the rich history and tradition of those who came before us and ensure Catholic education is available for generations to come.”

For example, by combining grade levels, staff restructuring, and offering additional tuition assistance made possible through donors, All Saints Catholic School in Alpena saw enrollment increase by more than 52% from last year. The pre-K through 7^th grade school saw the second highest increase in total number of new students for the 2011-12 school year, surpassed only by St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey who added 35 new students to bring their enrollment to 260. In all, 13 of our schools experienced an increase in enrollment for this school year.

“Certainly, we’ve had some struggles and the road is not always easy,” Taylor added. “But, I am convinced that especially if we can find ways to broaden the support for Catholic education across the diocese, we will not only be able to maintain our schools, but be able to grow as we seek to fulfill our mission to provide a faith-centered Catholic education which is rooted in the Gospel Message and evidenced in the worship of God and works of service to others.”

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week 2012 carries the theme: Faith. Academics. Service. Each day, schools will celebrate the annual observance by focusing on a particular facet of Catholic Education. Masses and special prayers will take place at all schools throughout the week along with a host of special activities and events. Below is just a sampling of some of the events taking place throughout the week.

Sunday, January 29 – Faith. Academics. Service. In Our Parish

As the Center of Catholic life in the community, the parish is an appropriate place to begin the observance of Catholic Schools Week. Parishes work closely with schools and families to provide students with a well-rounded, faith-based education that prepares them for life. Students will participate in a variety of ways in their parishes across the diocese. For example, at St. Ann in Cadillac, students will speak at weekend liturgies, while in Cheboygan, students from Bishop Baraga School will share essays reflecting the theme of Catholic Schools Week. The Children’s Choir from St. Ignatius in Rogers City will sing at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord for the televised Mass, while students will greet parishioners and assist with pancake breakfasts and coffee hours in several parishes.

Monday, January 30 – Faith. Academics. Service. In Our Community

Today schools recognize the strong bond our schools have with the communities in which they are located. Not only do Catholic schools contribute to the quality of life in their hometowns, they rely on their communities for the support and resources that enhance their success. Among the activities planned for this day: Our Lady of the Lake in Prudenville will create gift baskets for community organizations and the four schools which make up the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools will collect canned goods to be distributed to those in need. St. Mary, Lake Leelanau students will distribute posters thanking local businesses for their support.

Tuesday, January 31 – Faith. Academics. Service. In Our Students

For this day, schools are planning enjoyable and meaningful activities for all students to recognize their many accomplishments, and provide them with an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of their Catholic education and how it will help them succeed in life. All Saints in Alpena, St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Traverse City will all host Catechism Bees, while Manistee Catholic Central will host a book fair and open house. An All-School Mass will take place at St. Mary in Gaylord and students at Immaculate Conception in Traverse City will spend time in prayer with our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. Bowling, roller skating, and sledding are also on the docket in schools for the day.

Wednesday, February 1 – Faith. Academics. Service. In Our Nation

At local, state and national levels, Catholic students and educators reach out to community and government leaders. On this day, they will share information about contributions Catholic schools make to the national and their role in preparing students to be good citizens. Activities taking place at schools across the diocese will include: Students from St. Joseph, West Branch will visit nursing homes and senior citizen centers. The Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools will offer special prayers for those who currently serve in the military and veterans.

Thursday, February 2 – Faith. Academics. Service. In Our Vocations

On this day schools will focus on the many ways we can use the gifts God has given by exploring vocations. Students at St. Mary in Charlevoix as well as Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools will take time to write letters to diocesan seminarians and Seminarian Ben Rexroat will be a special guest at St. Mary, Lake Leelanau – the school of his graduation. Holy Family in East Tawas will host a special “Volunteer and Vocation” luncheon, while St. Mary in Hannah will celebrate “Candlemass” recognizing Christ as the Light of the World and remembering that we too have that light within us.

Friday, February 3 – Faith. Academics. Service. In Our Faculty, Staff and Volunteers

Catholic School teachers are special people who collectively instill in our students the desire to strive for academic excellence and the faith that will carry them through their lives. Parents of Grand Traverse Area Catholic School students will pray a Rosary for teachers, volunteers, faculty and staff. St. Mary, Charlevoix 6^th graders will prepare lunch for the entire school and then a Living Rosary will take place in the Church. St. Joseph, West Branch, All Saints in Alpena and Our Lady of the Lake in Prudenville will host VIP luncheons, while elementary students at Holy Angels in Traverse City will make “thank you” posters for volunteers.

For more information on activities taking place at a Catholic school near you, contact the school or your parish. The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Gaylord wish to thank everyone for their prayerful support!