This week our Church celebrates Catholic School’s Week. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the great treasure that Catholic School education is for us, historically, and now in this present time. As a beneficiary of Catholic Schools myself from the 5th grade on, I am well aware personally of the value of Catholic Schools. The challenging and stimulating academic expectations and the religious and spiritual formation I received was foundational to my current success in life, and I’m sure was instrumental in my discovering my vocation, my call to priesthood. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that had I not attended Catholic School, someone else would be writing this column to you right now!
Here at St. Mary’s we are so privileged to have a vibrant Catholic School as part of our parish ministry. I wish to thank all of you, our parishioners, for making this possible by your faithful support of our school through your financial contributions, your participation in our various social outreach and fundraising opportunities, and most importantly for entrusting your daughters and sons, your granddaughters and grandsons to us for their education. St. Mary’s School offers a top-rate academic education that rivals that of private academies. Our students score from one and a half to two grade levels ahead of their actual grade level in standardized testing. Because of this we have been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 2018.
The academic excellence we achieve through our dedicated teachers and challenging curriculum are just a part of what we have to offer. In an age when many values that are counter to our Catholic faith are part and parcel of the curricula offered in other schools, Catholic Schools provide our children with a firm foundation in the beliefs and practices of our Catholic faith. With religion classes built into the curriculum, and faith values permeating the whole of our students’ experience here, our young people learn the teachings and traditions of the Catholic faith, begin and end their day in prayer, and learn how to live the example Jesus gave us in their interactions with others. Each day as we recite our St. Mary’s School Pledge, our students promise to
“Live my life knowing that God surrounds me and all those I meet. I will be kind and respectful to others by treating everyone the way I want to be treated and I will help those in need. I will study hard and continue to learn all my life.”
St. Mary’s students participate in student Masses every month, in which they proclaim the Scriptures and lead the singing, and they lead morning prayer each morning, giving them confidence with public speaking in front of their peers and other adults. They prepare to receive the Sacraments and participate in outreach projects that benefit the poor in our community. By doing these things they learn not only about their Catholic faith, but how to live out that faith in their daily lives.
If you have children who are eligible to be enrolled at St. Mary’s School (Grades Pre-K –8), check out what we offer!
There is an Open House on Sunday, February 6 from 1-3 pm (postponed from Jan 30th by the snow storm) or a tour can be arranged at any time. A St. Mary’s School education is surprisingly affordable and priceless in value and tuition assistance is available for those who may need it.
Let’s celebrate the beautiful gem we have in St. Mary’s School this Catholic School’s Week, and continue to support the mission of Catholic School Education for decades to come!