Catholic Schools Week

by Paige Brinkman

Lima Central Catholic, Saint Charles, Saint Gerard, and Saint Rose celebrated Catholic Schools Week, January 29February 4, 2023, along with Catholic schools all over the nation. National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. This week is an opportunity to recognize the importance, value, and contributions of Catholic education to the church and world. This tradition began in 1974 and is now an annual event, where Catholic schools across the nation celebrate the week through a variety of activities such as masses, assemblies, and open houses, that emphasize the importance of Catholic education. These activities highlight the traditions and value of Catholic education.

Each day of the week has a different theme. Sunday is the first day of Catholic Schools Week and its theme is celebrating your parish. As a Catholic school, we benefit from religious guidance, prayers, and from support that parishes provide throughout the year. Schools often start the week by inviting people from the community and parishioners to events centered on the church or that feature the school’s academics and religious education.

On Monday Catholic schools celebrate their community. An important aspect of Catholic education is service to others and learning the importance of it. When we take part in service projects throughout the year, we display the faith and values that we gain through our Catholic education. Going to a Catholic school, we have the opportunity to live out our faith and values that we gain through our education to serve others and make the world a better place. At Lima Central Catholic, students had an out of uniform day for a donation of $2, which was used to buy cookies for the Lima Police Department and Fire Department. Students also signed thank you cards for them. Students in Teen Leadership made and delivered Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens.

Tuesday’s theme was celebrating the students. Catholic schools celebrate students by planning enjoyable activities for them and recognizing their accomplishments. The students were encouraged to reflect on how they have benefitted from their Catholic education and how focusing on faith, knowledge, and service will help them throughout their lives. To celebrate, students at Lima Central Catholic were allowed to have a free out of uniform day and take part in the theme of “anything but a book bag.” Students got to bring in whatever appropriate random item they wanted and could use that as their book bag. At lunch, students were also celebrated by having ice cream sundaes at lunch. The teachers showed their appreciation for their students by leaving positive notes on the desks of the students in their homeroom.

On Wednesday, the theme was celebrating the nation. Leaders and military men and women were praised for their service. Students shared the benefits of Catholic education and how Catholic schools prepare students to be good citizens. They prayed for the nation and for all those who serve. At Lima Central Catholic, students wore red, white, and blue accessories to show their support for the nation. Military personnel came to LCC to share information with the students during lunch. Students also wrote letters to servicemen and women that are alumni from LCC.

On Thursday, the theme was celebrating vocations. Catholic schools focus on faith, knowledge, and service and support students in using their talents given by God later in life. Catholic Schools Week allows students to explore the many paths of life that let them use their talents in the service of God and others. While focusing on vocations, students were able to be open to God’s call for their life.

Friday’s theme was celebrating faculty, staff, and volunteers. Teachers are the backbone of Catholic schools. They dedicate their time and talent to Catholic schools. This day is used to honor the teachers, administrators, and volunteers. Students have the chance to thank their teachers and show how grateful they are that their teachers choose to work at a Catholic school. At Lima Central Catholic, teachers were provided with breakfast and lunch. Students wrote positive notes for teachers and posted them on the doors of the teacher’s classroom. Students at Lima Central Catholic are able to grow close to their teachers and appreciate everything that they do for them and the school.

Students also look to religious people in their life and thank them for everything they do for the school and parish. At Lima Central Catholic, students wrote cards to the priests at St. Rose, St. Gerard, St. Charles, and LCC. All the students from St. Rose, St. Gerard, St. Charles, and LCC gathered at St. Gerard’s Church to celebrate mass as an entire community. At this mass, the students presented the cards they made to all the priests.

Saturday’s theme was celebrating families. Parents, grandparents, and guardians play a huge role in Catholic education. They volunteer at the schools throughout the school year and instill values, expectations, and faith in their child at home. Catholic schools acknowledge the roles that families play in the success of Catholic schools and Catholic education. The families are appreciated for all that they do for the schools and for their kids.

This week is usually remembered as one of the most favorite times of the entire school year! St. Charles School celebrated every day with fun activities, dressing crazy, having treats and spreading love to the community.

“Catholic Schools are Crazy Cool!”

Students wore their clothes backwards and had crazy hair! They also wrote thank-you notes to wrap around snacks that were delivered to the Lima Police and Fire Departments, Sheriff’s Office, St. Rita’s and Lima Memorial.

“Jammin for Jesus”

On this day, pajamas and slippers were allowed at school, and students were invited to bring a drink for the movie in the afternoon! Principal Scheid even rocked the intercom throughout the day with a song so the students had to get up and “jam!” The 8th graders also played the teachers in volleyball.

“Patriotic People Supporting Heroes”

Red, White and Blue was seen all around, as students showed off their patriotism. Donations were also encouraged for the military care package project.

“Answer the Call”

Students were challenged to wear clothing that represents what they want to be or do when they grow up.

“Hats off to Catholic Schools Week”

Hats were allowed at school along with the uniform after attending an All School Mass at St. Gerard Catholic Church.