CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

‘Dividends’ focus of weeklong Catholic schools celebration

The good news about Catholic education is about to become much more public to Valley residents.

Catholic Schools Week, held nationwide Jan. 31-Feb. 6, will see not just diocesan students and educators touting the benefits of a Catholic education, but roadside advertisements, too.

“Our big plan for this Catholic Schools Week is to have five billboards up about our Catholic school education and the quality education we provide,” said MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent for the diocese’s 35 elementary and five high schools.

The billboards will complement the scheduled diocesan and school-level activities honoring Catholic Schools Week, Mueller said. They’ll also help drive home the Catholic Schools Week theme for commuters: “Catholic Schools — Dividends for Life.”

There is no better investment than the education of a child in moral, disciplinary, faith and knowledge matters, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. The organization sponsors Catholic Schools Week as a joint project with the U.S. bishops.

Appreciation day

Catholic school students throughout the state will gather with Arizona’s three bishops Feb. 3, National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools. Bishop James S. Wall, who began his priesthood in the Diocese of Phoenix and now leads the Diocese of Gallup, N.M., will be the guest homilist at the diocesan-wide Catholic Schools Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted will preside.

All school pastors and high school chaplains are invited to concelebrate the liturgy.

Arizona’s bishops will address Catholic school students during a rally at the State Capitol immediately after the Mass. Legislators are also invited to speak.

The annual rally is a chance for students to show their gratitude to Arizona’s bishops and legislators for supporting and defending tuition tax credit laws. It’s those laws, along with the Catholic Tuition Organization for the Diocese of Phoenix, that provide many students a shot at a Catholic education.

Cheerleaders from Phoenix and Tucson schools will show off their stunts at the rally and the Bourgade Catholic High School band will perform.

Other Catholic Schools Week celebrations will feature special activities and service projects at most campuses. St. Francis Xavier School will host the Diocesan Spelling Bee at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 2. The best speller from each elementary school will vie for the diocesan “top speller” title.

Catholic school students not only spell well, but graduate well-rounded. Recent graduates have enrolled in ROTC programs through a university, entered the seminary and become community leaders.

Recognizing service

“Our school and student academic successes are accompanied by the true, lifelong dividends that our schools pay which is the nurturing of our Catholic faith in our students,” said Andy Rubalcava, president of the Diocesan School Board. He noted that even the most economically challenged schools regularly engage in community and parish service projects.

“The dividends continue when our students continue living their faith in the image of God within their own communities as disciples,” Rubalcava said.

Mercedes Hendrix, a Bourgade alumna now studying biochemistry while continuing various community service efforts, served as Fiesta Bowl Queen during last month’s festivities in Tempe.

Catholic Schools Week will also include special recognition for community leaders, parents, grandparents and teachers who support Catholic education. They’ll be treated to special breakfasts, Masses or gifts.

The diocese’s Catholic Schools Office will present Pete Hill with the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award during the Catholic Schools Week Mass. The award honors individuals for their tireless work on behalf of local Catholic school students. Hill is in his tenth year on the Diocesan School Board and also works with the Catholic Parents Advocacy Network, in addition to other diocesan responsibilities.

The Catholic Schools Office will also recognize a school nurse, teacher and administrator at various elementary and high schools for 25 years of service in the diocese.

--

Catholic Schools Week

Many schools are holding open houses and hosting other special events during Catholic Schools Week. Diocesan celebrations are also planned:

6:30 p.m. Feb. 2: Diocesan Spelling Bee, St. Francis Xavier School, 4715 N. Central Ave.

10 a.m. Feb. 3: Catholic Schools Week Mass, Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave. Rally at the State Capitol immediately follows.