ANNUNCIATION
SCHOOL
223 North Browder Street, Columbus, MS 39702
www.annunciationcatholicschool.org
Instagram/Twitter: @Annunciation_cs
TikTok: @acseagles
Pre-K4 thru 8th Grade (662)328-4479 701 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Natchez, MS 39120 www.cathedralgreenwave.com
“The students at Annunciation Catholic School have a heart for service. The idea of serving the Lord permeates through their commitment to service projects benefitting the wider community, but more importantly, through their everyday interactions and treatment of others. This heart of service comes out of a love for Christ, and a desire to serve Him with gladness.”
– Shannon Clapper, parent
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
Facebook: @cathedralschoolnatchez
Instagram: @cathedralschool_natchez
Pre-K3 thru 12th Grade (601)442-2531
TRADITION:
Each year the school participates in “Pinwheels for Peace.” Students of all ages design a pinwheel to represent their hopes for peace in our world. Then, students celebrate International Peace Day (Sept. 21) with the annual Pinwheels for Peace prayer service. Students plant their pinwheels by our peace pole in the school garden and say a prayer for “whirled” peace.
SERVICE:
The school holds “Jeans for Green Day” and collects money to support various charities like Operation Christmas Child, St. Jude Hospital, St. Vincent DePaul Society and Helping Hands. Students also participate in the Just Walk for Justice and Pennies for Patients fundraisers. Also, a food drive for St. Joseph’s Food Pantry is held, in addition to volunteering at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, making Valentine cards for veterans and going Christmas caroling to a local nursing home.
“To me being a part of a Catholic school community means having the opportunity to talk, share, and grow in my faith with a likeminded community that shares the same values and beliefs as myself. Being able to educate students about our Catholic traditions and help them strengthen their own personal relationships with Jesus Christ is a source of great joy. Our Catholic school system is doing more that just education the leaders of tomorrow, we are creating the saints of tomorrow as well.
– Justin Johnson, teacher, alumni and parent TRADITION: Ring Day Mass – The junior class marks this milestone with a Votive Mass of St. Joseph with the blessing and conferring of class rings by Father Aaron Williams at St. Mary Basilica. After Mass the junior class spends the day together with breakfast in the Family Life Center then a retreat.
SERVICE: The “Pack the Bus” fundraiser for The Stewpot is sponsored by the Cathedral National Honor Society. The Cathedral school bus doors are wide open the Friday prior to the Thanksgiving break with students encouraged to bring a large sized canned good in exchange for wearing jeans on that Friday. The bus is filled to maximum capacity and the loaded bus is delivered to The Stewpot that afternoon just in time for their Thanksgiving feast.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
ST. PAUL EARLY LEARNING CENTER
5969 Highway 25, Flowood, MS 39232
www.saintpaullearningcenter.com
Facebook/Instagram: Search St. Paul Early Learning Center
ST. ELIZABETH SCHOOL
150 Florence Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614 http://seseagles.com Facebook: @seclarksdale Instagram: @seseagles47
Pre-K3 thru 6th Grade (662)624-4239
FLOWOOD – Townsend Watts and Hilton Peters use a light table to create a Christmas pattern in the St. Paul Pre-K4 classroom.
(Photo courtesy of school)
“I like learning about God and His love for us.”
– Madilyn Bradford, student
“Being part of the Catholic school community means the world to our family. Instilling Christian values during the formative years and incorporating it into the early learning environment sets the foundation for what’s important to our family.”
– Melissa Case, parent
MISSION: Christ-centered, quality care, early education for the whole child.
TRADITIONS:
Each December the school celebrates the Christmas Story with a program that includes all the children – ages two months to five years old.
At the end of the school year, St. Paul Early Learning Center celebrates with a “Family Fun Day’” with barnyard animals, snow cones, a picnic lunch and lots of games.
SERVICE:
Every year the school hosts a luncheon for first responders to show appreciation for their service to the community. Additionally, the school assists the St. Paul parish Backpack Ministry by collecting food for children in need.
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth School family honors the feast day of their patron St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Students brought bread to school to donate to the Care Station food pantry. (Photo courtesy of school)
– Robin Noe, fourth grade teacher
“We learn God’s Word and help others learn about God by going to Mass each week. We serve God during Mass by reading and bringing up the gifts. We also care for God’s people by doing acts of kindness.”
TRADITION:
– Lucy Laney, sixth grade student
The school joins together with St. Elizabeth parish and community to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a “Hamburger Supper and BINGO Night.” It is a fun night of games, prizes and fellowship for all.
SERVICE:
Each class has adopted an elderly home-bound parishioner. Students write cards and letters, prepare care packages for them. Students were even able to stop by to sing Christmas carols during Advent.
SISTER THEA BOWMAN SCHOOL
1217 Hattiesburg Street, Jackson, MS 39209
www.theabowmanschool.com
Facebook: @SrTheaBowmanCatholicSchool
Instagram: @srtheabowmanjackson
Pre-K3 thru 6th Grade (601)352-5441
ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL
308 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, MS 39110 www.stjoebruins.com
Facebook: @StJosephMadison Instagram/Twitter: @stjoemadison
7th thru 12th grade (601)898-4800
“It makes me feel good and happy to be a part of a Catholic school. I attend Christ the King Church and the school so I get to experience both. Sometimes what I learn from church, it helps me answer questions in my religion class.”
– Derion Bronson, fourth grade student
“My school serves the Lord with gladness by constantly helping each other when we’re down. The students support each other in the classroom and the teachers support each other inside and outside of the school building. We have a culture here that is geared towards helping and loving one another as the Lord loves us.”
TRADITIONS:
– Chris Payne, principal
The annual $5,000 Draw Down is held the last Saturday in April to raise funds for the school. Also, parents and the parish community look forward to student performances in the annual Christmas program.
SERVICE:
Green 4 Jeans – Every Wednesday, students donate $1 to give back to a charity of our student council’s choice.
Due to the water crisis in Jackson on multiple occasions, the school began a recycling initiative where they recycle empty water bottles and cans. The school has partnered with “Replenysh” to ensure products are recycled properly.
“As a practicing Catholic, attending a Catholic school offers me the opportunity to create bonds founded by faith. Catholics in our area are definitely in the minority. Having a campus where I can deepen my spiritual growth and obtain more knowledge about our church creates a safe haven for my spiritual journey. I appreciate the sacrifices my parents have made to afford my siblings and I a Catholic education.
– Gia Picarella, student council president
“I see the students and faculty of St. Joseph Catholic School serve the Lord with gladness each time I see them joyfully serve one another and support one another in their daily walk.”
– Jennifer Frost, parent
TRADITION:
Each weekly Mass is concluded with the singing of the Suscipe of Mother McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, honoring the sisters who founded St. Joseph 152 years ago.
SERVICE:
Bruinthon is a large service project the whole school participates in throughout the year, raising money for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital. At the end the year, students celebrate their fundraising with a fun event of dancing and announcing the total amount of money raised for the hospital.
VICKSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL
1900 Grove St/ 1400 Hayes St, Vicksburg, MS 39183
Sisters of Mercy/St. Francis Xavier/St. Aloysius www.vicksburgcatholic.org
Facebook: @vicksburgcatholicschool Instagram: @vicksburg_catholic_school
Infants thru 12th grade (601)636-4824 (601)636-2256
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
395 West Street, Holly Springs, MS 38635 www.hfamilyschool.org Facebook: @hfamilyschool Twitter: @holyfamilyscho9
Pre-K3 thru 8th grade (662)252-1612
“Each day my friends and I come to school to learn English, Math and Social Studies. However, we also come to serve the Lord by helping others, participating in Mass, praying with one another and always striving to be more like Jesus.”
– Vaylor Smith, student
“I appreciate the rich traditions and esteemed reputation of Vicksburg Catholic School. The best part our school is who walks through the doors and sits in our classrooms each day. I have great expectations for our future!”
– Jon C. Graham, assistant principal – St. Aloysius
MISSION: Lead with humility, Serve with love, Strive for excellence, Prepare for distinction.
TRADITION:
In the spring, students memorialize and honor loved ones, both past and present, by inviting the community to join in prayer by walking the prayer labyrinth.
SERVICE:
Each year, students collect food for the food pantry, make Christmas cards and ornaments for the Carmelite Monastery and participate in the yearly Sister Fatima Thanksgiving Basket Collection.
”We remain steadfast and remember the Lord in everything that we do. We praise Him for his everlasting mercy and rejoice in Him at all times.”
– Anita Pledge, Kindergarten teacher
”Being a part of a Catholic school community allows the unique opportunity to combine our Christian obligation of serving others through projects which target the needy of the community with an education in academics as well as the Catholic faith.”
– Lesa Scott, interim principal
MISSION:
The mission of Holy Family School is to provide a holistic, Catholic education for children and to empower them to become confident, self-motivated, creative learners prepared to live worthy lives for the good of themselves, the community and the world.
TRADITION: The school’s Reading Around the Christmas Tree program and annual Christmas production are dearly held school traditions.
SERVICE:
Students are involved in service projects including food distribution through the mobile food pantry, serving meals to the needy through the Garden Café, sponsoring food drives and delivering food packs, as well as essentials to various areas of need.
MADISON – St. Anthony Catholic School kindergarten students created designs and built three houses like in the fairy tale, The Three Little Pigs, then tested to see if each house would hold up against the big bad wolf (the hair dryer). Pictured left to right are Frankie Brown, Lawson Griffin, Bett Malouf, James Wilkins, Mrs. Kerri Dare, Caroline Webb, Ellie Runnels and Sadie Baldwin. (Photo courtesy of school)
1501 V.F.W. Road, Greenville, MS 38701
ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL Pre-K3 thru 12th grade
Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary St. Joseph Middle/High School www.stjoeirish.org
Facebook: @sjsgreenville
(662)334-3287 (662)378-9711
ASSISI EARLY LEARNING CENTER
4000 West Tidewater Lane, Madison , MS 39110 www.aelcmadison.org Facebook: @AELCMadison
Infants thru Pre-K4 (601)856-9494
“Being a part of a Catholic School Community gives me the opportunity to show students that empathy is integral to the world. Christ asked us to love our neighbors, and it is a lesson that is especially important to young people. Showing empathy creates an atmosphere that is more conducive to learning, which is something we, as teachers, need and are privileged to have here. Showing my students what it is to be Christ-like gives them comfort in a chaotic ... world.”
MISSION:
– Dr. Eileen Jennings, teacher
The mission of the St. Joseph Catholic School is to provide a Catholic faith-based education rooted in Gospel values offered in a safe, caring, academically challenging and creative environment.
TRADITION:
A unique tradition at the school is the big/lil program that fosters relationships between older students and younger ones. This is something that each student looks forward to at some point in both elementary and high school.
SERVICE:
Each year students collect food to donate to St. Vincent de Paul. The organization allows those who need it to come in and have access to things that they need throughout the year and especially during the holidays.
MADISON – Assisi students Seitz Henry and Daileen Sanchez eating at the annual Thanksgiving Feast. (Photo courtesy of school)
" To serve the Lord with gladness, we sing His praises every morning with all our children.”
– Chelsea Scarbrough, teacher
“ One of my greatest joys since becoming the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is visiting the learning center and seeing the smiling faces of children as they go about their daily activities. It is my prayer that our services will continue for many years to come, and as adults, those who are presently enrolled in the center will look back on the time they spent here with happy and warm memories.”
– Father Albeenreddy Vatti, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi MISSION:
Assisi Early Learning Center is a faith-based childcare center that strives to educate the whole child. We strive to help children grow socially, emotionally, academically and spiritually. From six-weeks to four-years of age, children at Assisi are cared for in a safe, loving and educational environment.
TRADITION:
The school is serving a second generation of children - parents who have graduated from AELC are bring their children, to be nurtured and loved in this special educational environment.
As a center, each year the school hosts a huge Thanksgiving feast for families and students make handprint gifts for the parents for Christmas.
ST. RICHARD SCHOOL
100 Holly Drive Jackson, MS 39206 www.strichardschool.org
Facebook: @StRichardJackson
Instagram: @saintrichardcardinals
Pre-K3 thru 6th Grade (601)366-1157
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL Pre-K4
1585 Old Mannsdale Road, Madison, MS 39110 www.stanthonyeagles.org Facebook: @StAnthonyEagles Instagram: @st.anthonycatholicschool
“Despite their young age, our children’s faith has grown exponentially since being at St. Richard Catholic School. They reference God daily in their routine activities, which is a testament to how the school interweaves Catholic education into everything they do. Our children are taught to value, respect and treat with kindness each person they encounter without regard for circumstances or status. The Catholic school community is instilling a solid foundation for a lifelong commitment to living as Jesus instructed.”
TRADITIONS:
– Margaret Smith, parent
The school hosts a White Mass and reception for all healthcare workers. To honor the Sisters of Mercy, students host a Mercy Day Mass and Tea for them as founders of the school. For the holidays, the school prepares a special Advent program that families look forward to every year. There is also the Manhattan Mall service project for a nursing home across from the school; the annual blessings of the fathers and mothers Masses; the Father/Daughter dance; and CardinalFest.
SERVICE:
St. Richard School participates in monthly service projects. The school works to mold students to be community-minded adults. Students are encouraged to participate in collections for Birthright, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Pennies for Patients. Not every month involves physically donating items, rather the students are encouraged to think of other ways to give back to the community by writing notes and cards of encouragement for seminarians and patients in facilities such as St. Dominic Hospital.
MADISON – Sixth grade students, along with their teacher, Mrs. Duncan, fill boxes in support of the “Box of Joy” service project. This service project had both a material and spiritual impact on children in developing countries. (Photo courtesy of school)
“Being a part of a Catholic School community means being a part of a faith-based family whose focus is on Christ and serving others. Serving the Lord with gladness infiltrates our daily activities and encompasses everything we do from being kind to our classmates, striving for excellence and taking care of our environment. In Catholic schools, we get to commit ourselves to this standard and expectation of living like Christ while continuing our education and pursuing God’s plan for ourselves to be the best we can be through Him and with Him at our side.”
– Katherine Webb, parent and third grade teacher
TRADITIONS:
A beloved tradition is beginning each school day with Prayer and Pledge. The school community gathers in the gym each morning to read and study scripture, pray, recognize achievements and celebrate birthdays, and other special events together. The St. Anthony community also honors traditions such as the Pet Blessing on the Feast of St. Francis; the Advent program; Mardi Gras parade and Starry Night Gala.
SERVICE:
The school community participates service projects, such as: filling Boxes of Joy for Cross Catholic Outreach; collecting food for the Mississippi Food Network’s Backpack Ministry; and sending handmade blankets to members of our community who are ill in hospitals or nursing homes.
themselves.
A ministry of St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Serving a need for parents who have to work by providing a loving, safe, stimulating environment in which each child can become the best version of themselves.JACKSON – Hills Ezelle helps to organize the food pantry at St. Vincent de Paul. (Photo courtesy of school)
ST. PATRICK SCHOOL
2700 Davis Street, Meridian, MS 39301
www.stpatrickcatholicschool.org
Facebook: @stpatrickcatholicschool2700
Pre-K3 thru 6th Grade (601)482-6044
SACRED HEART SCHOOL
5150 Tchulahoma Road, Southaven, MS 38671
www.sheartschool.org Facebook: @sheartschool
Pre-K3 thru 8th Grade (662)349-0900
“At St. Patrick School all students have the opportunity to participate in leading Mass each Thursday. This is a great way for us to serve the Lord and each other!”
– Helena Rutledge, sixth grade student
“Being a part of a Catholic School Community means that I learn how to put my faith into action. It is important to know why we do what we do in the Catholic church, and I like having the opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith with my peers.”
– Jackson Spitzkeit, sixth grade student
“We begin our day with prayer and sing songs praising the Lord. We are kind to one another and our teachers. During NET Team retreats, we play games about serving the Lord. We have fun and enjoy giving back to our community through several service projects during the year.”
– Lyla Moore, studentTRADITION:
During Catholic Schools Week, students march to City Hall where a proclamation is read by the Mayor. The Meridian High School marching band leads the parade, and all students follow carrying a banners made by their classes.
SERVICE:
This year students participated in a County-wide canned food drive during November. In December, students collected toys for Care Lodge, an organization in Meridian for victims of domestic violence. For Catholic Schools week, students will make “blessing bags” with hygiene essentials for a local homeless shelter.
TRADITION:
On the first day of school, eighth grade students are presented with their eighth grade jersey at a special assembly. They may wear the jersey with jeans every Friday if they are in good academic and behavior standing. After the assembly there is a breakfast for the students and their parents.
SERVICE:
Students complete many projects throughout the year. The larger projects include various middle school students volunteering monthly at the mobile food pantry, recycling projects and programs like food donations and toy drives. Each month the school highlights a social service ministry at Sacred Heart Southern Mission. Students learn about the ministry, pray for the people volunteering, working and benefitting from the ministry and make a financial donation at the end of the month.
