2009
Catholic Schools Week
Jan. 25 - 31
By Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas

We have much to celebrate!

This is the week for Catholic Schools in our Diocese and across the nation to celebrate with their communities one of the great treasures of Catholic education – commitment to community service.

Community service is integral to the identity of our Catholic Schools. In our Catholic Schools, community service is not "extracurricular" – it is "intra-curricular."

Participating in community service projects grounds our Catholic School students in the great commandment to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." Community service projects teach our Catholic School students values that last a lifetime.

Below, you will see how some of our Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Tucson are observing this special week.

I am so grateful to Sister Rosa Maria Ruiz, C.F.M.M., our Superintendent of Catholic Schools, her staff, the principals, teachers, teacher aides and staff of our schools. They do a marvelous job. I am deeply grateful to our parents for their sacrifice in sending their children to Catholic School. They know the importance of forming their children in the faith.

St. Joseph Catholic School, Tucson
During Catholic Schools Week, every morning at Assembly we collect food, new or gently used toys, books and clothing for St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic. We have been doing this for many, many years!!!  They usually leave with two to three van-loads of boxes and bags. We have a continental breakfast for volunteers, parents, grandparents in the Library donated by the teachers, Student Council and Honor Society. The students have a special day with no homework, free dress and a skating party at night. The students write a note of thanks to their parents and Valentines to the deployed military people who we know. We have a special school Mass on Friday, and we have a Teacher-Staff Appreciation Day where our parents’ organization and school treat the teachers to a lunch and a small gift certificate. We are very proud of supporting St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic. 
 
Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic School, Sierra Vista
We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week beginning with our parish Mass on Sunday. Students minister in different ways at the Mass – altar servers, greeters, ushers, proclaimers of God’s Word and singers in the choir. During the school week, we thank the moms and dads for giving the children a Catholic education. We have Muffins with Mom and Donuts with Dad on two separate mornings at the start of the school day. The parents and children together are then able to start the day with their children with morning prayer. Other activities include All-School Bingo, Dress-Up as Your Favorite Saint Day, and, at our weekly Mass on Friday morning, we will have our monthly charity collection. This month it’s food for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Sierra Vista. We also plan a special luncheon to thank all the school and parish staff for all they do to make Catholic education possible here in Sierra Vista. Finally, students will be making special remembrance gifts for our parishioners who support our school in various ways.

St. Augustine Catholic High School, Tucson
Students will be participating in a service project this month that will conclude during Catholic Schools Week. The school will be seeking to collect 10,000 non-perishable items for local food banks. This will be an effort to help re-stock after the holiday season. We are calling this the “Fill the Bus for Food Campaign,” as we will use our school bus to help store and transport the food where it is needed. With a student body of 125 and a faculty and staff of 25, this is a tremendous undertaking for the 150 members of the community – each member is responsible for bringing in 67 items through their own efforts or donations. We certainly welcome your support in the form of non-perishable food donations. We thank you for all of your support of this charitable drive to begin the new year.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, Tucson
Students and parents are greeting parishioners at several of the Masses to hand out prayer cards. They will thank volunteers at a special Mass this Friday.

Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson
During Catholic Schools Week, we are hosting several celebratory events, including the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Breakfast on Monday to honor two of Southern Arizona’s premier supporters of Catholic education, Msgr. Thomas P. Cahalane and Msgr. Richard W. O’Keeffe; and on Wednesday, a Student Award breakfast, saluting students who have been identified by their teachers as hard working and committed to education. Clubs are participating in various outreach social services in our community, including assisting students at a Catholic elementary school with reading and writing activities.

Immaculate Heart Catholic School, Tucson
Monday, “Celebrate Service to Our Community Drive” begins for gently used blankets and jackets. Collection areas will be designated at each campus. The drive will run through Friday. Home and School will bring them to charities at the end of the week. The High School will sponsor a barbecue and games day for Middle School students. On Tuesday, “Celebrate Service to our Students,” with teachers and students focusing on a lesson to discuss the diverse ways youth can serve their families and community. Crazy hat and sock day. (Students must still wear their uniforms, but can embellish themselves with funny hats and socks!) No Homework! On Wednesday, “Celebrate Service to our Sisters,” with each classroom adopting an Immaculate Heart Sister and do something nice for her. On Thursday, “Celebrate Service to our Staff and Volunteers,” with students making cards of appreciation for those who serve them each day. Sixth grade students will spend the morning at the Middle School with 7th graders as an introduction to Middle School. On Friday, “Celebrate St. Paul and Service to Our Faith,” with an all-school Mass at 9 a.m. in the Gym. All are welcome to attend.

Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic School, Tucson
The Student Council at Our Mother of Sorrows Schools will coordinate a school-wide campaign of service.  Each class at OMOS will plan and execute a group service project that will fulfill some component of the school’s Student Learning Expectations. Student Council members will coordinate a presentation of our collective efforts. Student Council is also promoting spirit days during the week, serving at a special 9 a.m. Mass this Sunday to honor our school volunteers, with school staff hosting a reception for all who offer their time, talent and treasure to Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic School.

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Tucson
Wednesday: Teacher Appreciation Day, special luncheon for teachers. Thursday: Student Appreciation Day, T-shirt Day and “Crazy Socks Day.” Friday: Parent and Volunteer Appreciation Day, special Mass at 9:15 with a Continental Breakfast following, hosted by the Student Council.

Lourdes Catholic School, Nogales
We will kick off on Sunday with an “Honors” Eucharistic celebration for students on semester honor roll and their families. Students will receive a certificate. This is a new activity from past years’ events.

St. Cyril Catholic School, Tucson
In honor of Catholic Schools’ Week, we will be hosting a community volunteer breakfast on Thursday beginning with Mass at 8 a.m. with the Bishop and then breakfast following. All school principals and members of their school boards are invited.

St. Ambrose Catholic School, Tucson

Sunday: Parishioner Appreciation Day, School Open House, School Mass, brunch with Middle School Singing Performance, School Open House. Monday, Office Appreciation Day, Pajama Day, Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration, School Board Meeting. Tuesday, Teacher Appreciation Day, “Wear your favorite St. Ambrose Polo Shirt Day, “ Science Day and Science Fair Kick-Off. Wednesday, Pastor Appreciation Day, Twin Day, Catholic Schools Week Rally in Phoenix. Thursday, Maintenance Appreciation Day, Crazy Hat-Crazy Hair Day, Spelling Bee. Friday, Appreciation Day, Sports Wear, Talent Show.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Yuma
Sunday, School Mass. On Monday we will have a fun-filled day with crazy hair, crazy socks and a pep rally. Tuesday, we will allow parents to take their children out to lunch. Those few students who do not go out will eat with the principal and watch a movie. On Wednesday, we will have Mass and will do our fourth annual all school picture with an aerial view. On Thursday, we have our school spelling bee. On Friday we will have green and gold day. Our Dads’ Club will be providing lunch for us one day with hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Yuma
We will Celebrate Service during Catholic Schools Week: service in our community, our education, our Church, our families and our school activities.  On Monday, the Student Council will lead a school-wide prayer service. Our school Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday with our school winner advancing to the Yuma County Spelling Bee in February. Immaculate Conception, St. Francis, and Yuma Catholic High School join together on Wednesday to celebrate an all Catholic Schools Mass. On Thursday, we welcome our families for a family luncheon. Parents, grandparents, and siblings join with one another to share a meal at school. Our week-long celebration ends with a blue and gold Field Day on Friday. Our students participate in cross grade field activities and events. We also host a staff-parent vs. 8th grade volleyball game, which is always fun to watch. The Scholastic Book Fair also runs during Catholic Schools Week.

Santa Cruz Catholic School, Tucson
Maintain focus on service year-round: the Catholic Schools Week flag was purchased to display it year-round. Empathize with the needs of others: sandwiches, book and blanket donations for Casa Maria. Students extend service to each other: Help with Homework Day, pray together and for each other, begin daily prayer assembly, with focus on a common school prayer. Adopt a Class, with each grade adopting another grade to pray for. Extend service to our school families: “Bag Breakfast” handed out as parents bring children to school. Grandparents Day, with recognition at Mass, reception following Mass, visiting classrooms. Extend service to school and parish staff: serve lunch to staff. Serve the needs of Arizona Catholic schools: join the Catholic Schools Rally in Phoenix. Extend service to the wider community: students design greeting cards for publication and distribution as needed (sympathy, thank-you, new baby, get well, etc.)

St. Charles Catholic School, San Carlos
St. Charles is having a “second cup of coffee” on Tuesday. Parents come to school and enjoy a cup of coffee and donuts while they view students writing samples from our Six Trait Writing Program. The principal uses this time to inform the parents on curriculum and other happenings in the school. A school wide liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday and certificates of honor and attendance will be distributed to students.  Parents are invited to attend. A special appreciation luncheon for teachers and volunteers will be held on Friday.

Sacred Heart School, Nogales
Saturday: The banners that have been created, one per classroom, are hung on the pillars inside the church for the duration of the week. Monday: A Walking Rosary with the entire student body, K-7th, beginning inside the church, going outside past the grotto, into the second floor of the school and back to the church. Tuesday: Skits presented by 4th and 5th grades to student body, based on any one of their Religion Class topics. Wednesday: A Circle of Prayer in the cafeteria, with prayers created one per classroom. Thursday: Skits presented by 6th and 7th grades to student body, based on any one of their Religion Class topics. Friday: Closing address by Father Martin Martinez to student body.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Casa Grande
On Saturday and Sunday, Principal Joseph Parzych will be at each Mass and have some of our children (wearing their uniforms) bring up symbols that relate to the Student Learning Expectations at our school and place them at the foot of the altar: “Being Academically Prepared” – notebook, textbook, and globe; “Being Responsible Citizens” – American Flag and Safety Patrol vest; “Being a Lifelong Learner” – dictionary, laptop; “Being a Faith Filled Person” – cross, Bible, poster with holy cards, Rosaries, and other faith-inspired Items. On Monday, we will have “Celebrate Service to our School.” We will be introducing various community members who have helped our school during Morning Prayer. On Tuesday, “Morning with Mom Day.” Students may bring their mom or grandma in with them to have a Light Breakfast to start the day. Wednesday is “Teacher Appreciation Day.” Students may bring a flower in for their teacher. Wacky Hair Day. Students may wear their favorite Sports Team shirt with their uniform bottoms. Pajamas to school day. Thursday is “Doughnuts with Dad Day.” Students may bring their dad or grandpa in to have a Light Breakfast to start the day. Friday is “Clergy Day.” Teachers and students will be making cards or gifts to present to Fathers Kevin and Bardo and to our deacons after our School Mass.)