ABOVE: Students from Trinity Catholic School in Oswego take a ‘family picture’ following Catholic Schools Week Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd Church.
Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright, some photos courtesy of HalHenty.com, Catholic Sun staff and school submissions. Thank you!
By The Catholic Sun staff
Recipe for Catholic Schools Week: take a large dose of enthusiasm and spread it equally among students, families, teachers and staff. Add generous amounts of fun, blend it with proven educational activities and pour in every ounce of available faith one can muster. Let it cook for about seven days, sharing with all. The generated aroma of fellowship, love and gratitude will linger all year long.
And now a word from the executive chef of Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of Syracuse.
“Welcome and thank you,” is the opening message of a video from Dr. Amy Sansone, the superintendent of diocesan schools. The recorded message that kicked off the 2024 observance – the 50th anniversary nationally of Catholic Schools Week – is very focused on gratitude. “I am so excited to say thank you to all of our parents and parishioners who help support our schools.”
Catholic schools provide quality education that meets or exceeds accredited standards. Classes are smaller and the educational experience is focused on the individual. Extracurricular opportunities abound. Activities engage students, their families, staff and faculty, working together to fuel success. And it is all built on the solid foundation of Catholic faith.
There are 21 diocesan schools spanning the seven-county area, from Oswego to Binghamton, Syracuse to Utica and all points in between. Catholic Schools Week will be back next year but one doesn’t have to wait. Dr. Sansone invites you to “come and see our schools, all are welcome!” For those who can’t wait, here is an assemblage of photos and notes from various events at the elementary, junior and senior high schools in celebration of diocesan Catholic education.
Kickoff Mass at Blessed Sacrament School, Syracuse
Bishop Lucia presided, the students served at altar, sang in the choir, proclaimed the readings and filled the pews.
Saints John and Andrew Parish, Binghamton
Catholic Schools Week Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Michael Meaghar at Saints John and Andrew Parish in Binghamton. John Ramin, Assistant Superintendent of Diocese of Syracuse schools was on hand. That’s him at the far right with Ms. Severance’s 3rd grade class of St. John the Evangelist School. Her students helped out with the liturgy.
Holy Family School, Syracuse
Students at Holy Family School prepare care packages to give to the homeless in the community. The service project was just one of the activities that took place there during Catholic Schools Week.
Holy Family School, Norwich
How do you top a national celebration of Catholic Schools Week? In Norwich, they did it with a municipal proclamation! Holy Family School principal Rachel Ballin receives the official document from members of the City of Norwich Common Council during a recent meeting.
Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School, East Syracuse
Bishop Grimes in East Syracuse celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a Mass and commissioning of extraordinary Eucharistic ministers from among the student population. Fr. James Buttner, parochial vicar of Spirit of Hope Catholic Community in Madison County presided.
Trinity Catholic, Oswego
Students and parents from Trinity Catholic School in Oswego attended their opening Mass for the Catholic Schools’ Week celebration. A reception that followed in the Christ the Good Shepherd parish hall. The students were active participants in the liturgy.
Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr. High School, Syracuse
When students, staff and faculty gathered on Friday, February 2 to attend Mass as part of Catholic Schools Week, it was a dual celebration. The date marks the end of the Christmas season. Candlemas, a Christian holiday, commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, referring to him as the “light of the people” of Israel. The gymnasium at Bishop Ludden was illuminated with candles to observe the feast day which takes place 40 days after Christmas. Fr. Dennis Walker, administrator of The Church of the Nativity parishes in southern Onondaga County, presided.
St. Mary’s Academy, Baldwinsville
6th grade students from St. Mary’s Academy in Baldwinsville visited their neighbor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Preschool, during Catholic Schools Week. They worked with the students during their small group activities and read books they had brought for them. It was a great time for everyone!
