Each
year the last Sunday in January begins Catholic Schools Week. The CSW 2021 - 2024 theme is “Catholic
Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Catholic schools have a specific purpose
to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor and
enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of faith.
As communities of faith, Catholic schools instill in students
their destiny to become saints. Academic excellence is the hallmark of
Catholic education intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person –
mind, body and spirit. Finally, service is fundamental to Catholic
education and the core of Catholic discipleship. Service is intended to
help form people who are not only witnesses to Catholic social teaching, but
also active participants through social learning.
The CSW logo emphasizes that the Catholic school, like the
Catholic Church, is not a building or an institution, but it is the people. As
the people of God, we work together to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth and
raise up the next generation to do the same. The image of teachers and students
forming the foundation of the school shows that they are active people of faith
who serve others and God. May we all strive to live in active service of Jesus
and his mission as we nationally join together during Catholic Schools Week and
always. May this week ahead be filled with many blessings for our
Catholic School system.