Embracing Faith Through Community: Catholic Schools Week

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

This week’s “Embracing Faith” article will focus on Embracing Faith through Community.

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” -Philippians 4:9

Sunday, January 26th, marked the beginning of Catholic Schools Week (CSW), a week dedicated to celebrating Catholic education, as well as its value and impact on young people and communities.

CSW, which began in 1974, is celebrated in schools throughout the week with Masses, open houses, and other special events. (1)

Catholic Schools Week 2020

The CSW 2020 theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The National Catholic Educational Association explained the meaning of this theme and shared that it “encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country. Not only are we teaching students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples, and enriched citizens in our communities, we, as educators, are growing with them. In Catholic Schools, we are all learners, servants, and leaders. These shared qualities are what make Catholic schools work. They are what make Catholic schools succeed.” (1)

The Sisters of Saint Dominic, New York, are proud to support CSW 2020 and have actively supported Catholic education and schools throughout the years.

Sister Diane Forrest, who attended Catholic schools and currently ministers as the Assistant Director of the Academic Success Center at Dominican College, shared what a Catholic education meant to her, as well as how it led to her vocation.

“I would not be a Dominican Sister today if it were not for the Catholic school system. I met the Dominican Sisters in Catholic schools and seeing the work they did planted the seeds of my vocation. Even for those who do not enter Religious Life, the impact of Catholic education in the world today cannot be measured. Catholic schools provide a stable environment for students and a place where they will grow as individuals.”