Events set for Catholic Schools Week

The Diocese of Pittsburgh will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 29-Feb. 5 with many activities highlighting the theme "Catholic Schools -- Faith. Academics. Service." (See special supplement inside this issue.)

Bishop David Zubik, in his message for Catholic schools, said, "The celebration of Catholic Schools Week gives the church and the community an opportunity to salute the success of our Catholic schools and to thank all whose efforts make our Catholic schools centers of excellence in Catholic education."

"The great legacy of our Catholic schools is measured in how well our schools transform the hearts, minds and souls of our students, enabling them to be faith-filled disciples and compassionate citizens," said Father Kris Stubna, secretary for Catholic education. "The excellence of our schools is directly proportional to the support of our Catholic community, the strength of our Christian faith and the sacrifices of many generations, each of which has shared the same commitment to pass on our Catholic teaching and values to those who come after us,"

"Abigail Adams said, 'Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence,'" said Dr. Robert Paserba, superintendent for Catholic schools. "Her insights are an excellent description of the process through which, for almost two centuries, we have created the 'Great Beginnings That Last a Lifetime' for our students."

Catholic schools locally and nationally will celebrate by hosting school, parish and community events. National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools is set for Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association, the world's largest private, professional education association, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

Schools were invited to submit information on their special activities for the week. Following is a sampling of those events. Contact your school for a more comprehensive schedule.

ALLEGHENY

St. Agnes, West Mifflin: Friday will include special guest day Mass at 8:15 a.m. and blessing of throats for feast of St. Blaise.

St. Alphonsus, Wexford: Talent show Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Thursday carnival will aid the Chimbote Mission.

St. Angela Merici, White Oak: Fruit baskets given to first responders on Wednesday, with science fair, book fair and open house on Thursday. 

St. Anne, Castle Shannon: "Rockin' Robots" from Carnegie Science Center on Wednesday, when students will use various robots at work stations.

Assumption, Bellevue: Open house and reception Jan. 28 following 4 p.m. Mass. Grandparents day on Wednesday.

Bishop Leonard-St. Mary of the Mount, Mount Washington: Opening Mass Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m., with student readers at all weekend Masses.

St. Bonaventure, Glenshaw: Junior Achievement day on Wednesday; Bobcat Buddy project Friday focuses on shut-ins.

Brookline Regional Catholic, Brookline: Teachers, staff and volunteers receive appreciation breakfast on Thursday, followed by 100th-day celebration in the primary department. 

Christ the Divine Teacher, Aspinwall: Open house Jan. 28 from 3-4:45 p.m. and Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a reception; grades K-4 visit Mount Alvernia sisters on Monday.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pleasant Hills: Monday includes Middle School Science Fair; Tuesday and Wednesday are special-persons lunches.

Good Shepherd, Braddock: Second grade will make and sell candy grams all week to benefit a cure for mitochondrial disease in honor of second-grader Jonah Cox.

Holy Trinity, Robinson Township: Classroom door decorating contest Monday based on "Faith, Academics, Service." Families will create bags Wednesday night for The Homeless Children's Fund.

St. Irenaeus, Oakmont: Wednesday is mystery day with each class developing their own mystery theme, and assembly at 1 p.m. will include a special event. 

St. Joan of Arc, South Park: Wednesday is service day of creating lunches for the less fortunate, taken to the South Hills Interfaith Ministries.

St. John the Baptist, Plum: Mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 29, followed by open house and book fair; "Moving Molecules" mobile lab presentation on Monday.

St. Katharine Drexel, Bethel Park: Aux. Bishop William Waltersheid will celebrate 11:30 a.m. Mass Jan. 29 at St. Germaine; teaching Mass Tuesday with Father John Hissrich.

St. Louise de Marillac, Upper St. Clair: Benefit pancake breakfast Jan. 29 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; student appreciation Tuesday means no tests or homework.

St. Margaret of Scotland, Green Tree: Junior Achievement day on Wednesday; buddy day and talent show Thursday.

St. Mary of the Assumption, Glenshaw: Prayer service Monday, then writing letters of appreciation to military troops; Wednesday is brain quest competition.

St. Maurice, Forest Hills: Children (ages 4 and 5) who are ready to begin kindergarten or first grade in August invited to "Winter Picnic with Frosty Friends," with story time and cool winter crafts.

North Catholic High, Troy Hill: Wednesday will be student appreciation day, with student government activities during the day. All-school Mass on Thursday.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Natrona Heights: Opening Mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 29; field trips on Monday.

St. Philip, Crafton: Displays by various grades Tuesday, including inventions, a wax museum, world culture display, reading display and what happens at a factory; open house Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Providence Heights Alpha, Allison Park: Gateway to the Arts presentation, "Music, Magic, Myth," Tuesday will incorporate a fable, Greek myth, African folktale, Native American legend and fairy tale. 

St. Raphael, Morningside: Book fair through the week, and bagpipe presentation on Wednesday.

Sacred Heart, Shadyside: Parent/child breakfast for kindergartners on Tuesday, and wear pajama bottoms/tennis shoes with $2 donation to the Haiti and Chimbote fund.

Serra Catholic High, McKeesport: Wednesday is service day with Expect Respect assembly at 8:15 a.m. and promoting an end to domestic violence by buying/wearing Womensplace T-shirt.

Seton-LaSalle High, Mount Lebanon: Annual student variety show on Wednesday, and Diocesan Band Festival on Friday.

St. Teresa of Avila, Perrysville: Green and white basketball game Monday at 1:30 p.m.;  school Mass Wednesday at 9 a.m. featuring Joyful Noise Choir.

St. Therese of Lisieux, Munhall: Spelling bees Monday at 12:15 and 6 p.m., followed by art show, science fair and classroom visits from 7-8 p.m.

St. Thomas More, Bethel Park: Open house, ice cream social and book fair following 5 p.m. Jan. 28 Mass.

St. Ursula, Allison Park: Open house after 1 p.m. Jan. 29 Mass; slightly worn shoes being collected for the people of Belize, a project by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Vincentian Academy, McCandless Township: Mass Thursday for Catholic Schools Week, and retirement party for Sister Antoinette Kostelnik, who retired in October after 33 years at Vincentian and 67 years in teaching.

Word of God, Swissvale: Dr. Seuss day on Wednesday, with each grade participating in activities pertaining to stories by Dr. Seuss; Thursday includes Carnegie Science program.

BEAVER

Divine Mercy, Beaver Falls: Religion bee and writers workshop on Monday; Principal's Awards on Wednesday.

St. John the Baptist, Monaca: Faith in action day Monday, with prayer service in cafeteria and "bowling for babies" to support the Chimbote Mission.

SS. Peter and Paul, Beaver: Focus Tuesday on careers as parents and community leaders share their success stories and students research future careers.

Quigley Catholic High, Baden: Community Appreciation day Monday with letters and e-mails sent to partner schools, parishes and civic organizations that aid the school; student appreciation day on Tuesday.

BUTLER

St. Gregory, Zelienople: Book fair all week; closing Mass Friday at 9 a.m., followed by geography bee for grades 7-8 at 10 a.m.

St. Kilian, Adams/Cranberry townships: Mass Monday at 9 a.m. with Bishop David Zubik and Father Charles Bober; service project all week for St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

St. Wendelin, Carbon Center: Student teacher day Wednesday, with students in grades 4-8 presenting lessons to K-3 students to develop public speaking, organization and teamwork skills.

LAWRENCE

Holy Redeemer, Ellwood City: Student appreciation day Tuesday with Shield-a-Cop day (officers coming to lunch with their prayer partners); Adopt-a-Nun program Thursday.

St. Vitus, New Castle: Annual spelling bee for grades 4-8 on Tuesday; Friday features service with valentines being made for local organizations.

WASHINGTON

John F. Kennedy Catholic, Washington: Monday includes prayer service, church tours, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction; Wednesday presentation by Carnegie Science Center and Duquesne Light.

Madonna Catholic Regional, Donora: Trolley Museum program Monday for grades K-3, and  used-book donation to benefit Monongahela Library; students dress Thursday for a career they would like to have.

St. Patrick, Canonsburg: Students in grades K-5 on Tuesday will assemble gifts for grades 6-8 to deliver to neighboring businesses that have made contributions to the school and parish.