This week, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week (January 31 – February 6). This is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing an education that emphasizes not only academics, but also spiritual, moral, and social values. The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week is “Dividends for Life,” reflecting the long lasting benefits of a Catholic school education.
According to Karen Ristau (National Catholic Educational Association president), “Catholic schools provide good things for students and families–high expectations and daily experience of faith. In these challenging times, the theme also reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education–students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline–last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future–or the future of our world.”
As part of St. Peter’s effort to educate the whole child its goal is to also instill in students faith, knowledge, morals and discipline that will enable them to fulfill their future roles as committed Catholics, productive citizens, and effective leaders. Faith is our personal relationship with God and others. Knowledge means acquiring information about a subject as well as a relational meaning. Discipline or self-control is a skill needed to lead a happy life. Without discipline we cannot achieve our dreams and goals. Morals are setting high standards of behavior and calls out the best in everyone.
The schedule at St. Peter school for Catholic Schools Week is:
–Sunday, January 31, 10:30 a.m. Mass for family, faculty and friends. Students wear uniforms. Haiti collection. Seventh and eighth grade essay winners will read their essays.
–Monday, February 1, Morning Prayer Service, Miles Peret guest speaker. Students make Valentine gifts for nursing home residents.
Tuesday, February 2, Morning Prayer Service, family lunch with students. Awards ceremony, Student Fun Day and Coke and chips after lunch. Comfy Cozy Day. Students wear pajamas or lounge clothes and bring blanket and pillow for story time and trivia games.
–Wednesday, February 3, Morning Prayer Service, Living Rosary for our Military.
Students bring items to make a care package to be sent to our military. Proclamation to be signed by mayor.
Thursday, February 4, Prayer Service, students make Valentine cards to be sent to religious men and women.
Guest speakers on vocation, Priesthood Father Jason Vidrine, and religious life, Sister Clairette.
–Friday, February 5, School Mass. Recognize faculty, staff and volunteers. Lunch for faculty and staff.
During Catholic Schools Week, we celebrate the students, faculty and staff of St. Peter School. We ask God to bless us with His grace to provide many more years of forming the children of Gueydan in the Catholic intellectual tradition to be true disciples in the Church and the world.
