Photo from Catholic Schools Week 2018 (St. Michael School, Pinconning)
More than 2,000 Catholic school students across the Diocese of Saginaw will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2 along with nearly 2 million Catholic school students across the United States. A detailed schedule of events is available below:
SAGINAW — Catholic school students in all 13 schools across the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw are participating in the nationwide Catholic Schools Week celebration from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2. The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
"Catholic schools are an important part of forming missionary disciples of Christ and contributing to the vitality of our community and society as a whole," said the Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator. "Our Catholic schools provide students with an education rooted in Jesus Christ, giving them the ability to reach beyond worldly success and to strive for personal and moral excellence. I am deeply grateful for the generosity and commitment of so many who make Catholic schools possible."
On Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m., Bishop Hurley will celebrate Mass with Catholic school students at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. This Mass is open to the public and will stream live at Saginaw.org and on Facebook.
"The Catholic Schools Week Mass provides our students with an opportunity to gather together and be reminded that our Faith is at the center of what makes our schools uniquely different," said Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Cormac Lynn.
Catholic Schools and Catholic Schools Week
The week-long, national observance of Catholic Schools Week highlights the many contributions of Catholic schools to the Church and greater community. In addition to the service projects planned, special Masses and fun school activities will be taking place. There also will be several open houses for families interested in learning more about Catholic school education.
As a group, Catholic school students perform among the top in the country. They have a 99-percent graduation rate and 94 percent go to college. Additionally, Catholic school students are known for the countless hours of service they provide in their local communities. In the Diocese of Saginaw, students help feed the poor, visit the elderly, and raise awareness of important social issues.
Here is a listing of some of the activities taking place across the diocese during Catholic Schools Week. Photos of these events will be available on the diocesan website, Saginaw.org and on the Diocese of Saginaw Facebook page:
Monday, Jan. 28
Students from All Saints Middle and Elementary School in Bay City will write cards of support and gratitude to Diocese seminarians and local religious orders.
Students from Auburn Area Catholic Schools will make prayer cards for the East Side Soup Kitchen.
Students from St. Mary School in Alma will express gratitude to community organizations by delivering gift baskets to local police, the local library and others.
Students at St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic School in Midland will present an art and talent show (6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Students from Blessed Sacrament School in Midland will assemble baskets for those in need in the community.
Wednesday, Jan. 30
Students from Our Lady of Lake Huron School in Harbor Beach will write cards of support to patients at the Saginaw VA Medical Center.
Students from St. Michael School in Pinconning will be joined by author Trevor Szafranski, who will speak about walking with Jesus, and his book “Never Walk Alone”.
Students from Nouvel Catholic Central Elementary School in Saginaw will participate in Eucharistic Adoration.
Thursday, Jan. 31
Students from All Saints Middle/High School will load donated items to be given to children in foster care. The items were donated by families of Little Saints Childcare Center and families of All Saints Central Catholic Schools.
Students from Sacred Heart Academy in Mount Pleasant will host guests from area nursing homes. The group will play bingo together.
Friday, Feb. 1
The friendly competition of the Catholic Quiz Bowl among the diocese’s three Catholic high schools: All Saints Central (Bay City), Nouvel Catholic Central (Saginaw) and Sacred Heart Academy (Mt. Pleasant) will be held at All Saints Central High School. (begins 1.p.m.)
Students from St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School in Reese will learn about cardiology and raise money for the American Heart Association by participating in physical activity.
Throughout the Week
Students from Nouvel Catholic Central High School will serve at local charities and participate in school-wide prayer throughout the week as well as other saint-themed activities.
Students from St. Joseph the Worker Catholic School in Beal City will learn about social justice, especially related to suffering caused by lack of water or because of contaminated water. Students will also write letters in hopes of encouraging donations for water refill stations at their school.
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is home to 13 Catholic schools. School leaders, teachers and staff are committed to excellence in faith formation, academics, athletics, the arts and community service. The legacy of Catholic school education in our diocese began in 1868. Our Schools include: All Saints Central Elementary School, Bay City; All Saints Central Middle and High Schools, Bay City; Auburn Area Catholic School, Auburn; Blessed Sacrament School, Midland; Nouvel Catholic Central Elementary School, Saginaw; Nouvel Catholic Central High School, Saginaw; Our Lady of Lake Huron School, Harbor Beach; Sacred Heart Academy, Mt. Pleasant; St. Brigid of Kildare School, Midland; St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School, Reese; St. Joseph the Worker School, Beal City; St. Mary School, Alma; and St. Michael School, Pinconning.