Students throughout the Diocese’s 35 schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week this week, and their in-school and extracurricular activities celebrated their faith-based education and student success in academics, leadership, volunteerism, the arts and athletics.
The Catholic Witness visited several schools throughout the Diocese this week, showcasing the demonstrable faith, excellence and service students live out in their schools, families, parishes and communities.
On Monday of Catholic Schools Week, students from Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Lewistown kicked off the celebration with a visible display of gratitude to a dozen local businesses as they delivered gift bags of appreciation for the various locales that support the school throughout the year. Classrooms took turns throughout the day, walking a few short blocks from the school into town, and gifting the businesses and their staff with presents and a genuine show of gratitude. Locations included Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, the Chamber of Commerce/Visitors’ Bureau, Seven Mountains Media and local cafes, shops and banks.
Students at Corpus Christi School in Chambersburg demonstrated their faith with a special Mass on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2, celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer. Students lit and carried candles, blessed by the bishop for Candlemas Day, when the Catholic Church commemorates Mary and Joseph’s presentation of Jesus in the temple 40 days after His birth. Students were especially excited to welcome the bishop, who also visited their classrooms, along with Father Allan Wolfe, pastor, after the celebration of Mass.
St. Theresa School in New Cumberland celebrated families and culture with a unique open house and culture fair on Thursday evening, February 2. The “STS Paints the World” event welcomed visitors to learn more about various countries in a number of classrooms. Special activities unique to each country – such as the making of Irish soda bread – added a flair to visitors’ stops in each classroom. A concurrent culture fair in the school gym showcased various culinary, musical and dance traditions, many of which are being incorporated into the students’ Spanish classes at the school.
Recognizing and celebrating the faith, excellence and service of our Catholic school students, The Catholic Witness shares a compilation of photos from these school visits. Learn more about Catholic education in the Diocese at www.gocatholicschools.org.
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
