Catholic Schools Week

It is fitting that as Catholic Schools Week begins and we mark the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of Catholic education, that we consider the importance and significance of friendship.

“Humility is a word that comes to mind when I look at all the people and figures that we are honoring in the Diocese of St. Cloud in this new year of 2024,” writes Bishop Neary.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith told the students he, too, had benefited from receiving a Catholic education and long ago learned the value of prayer in his life and work.

Associate superintendent’s interest in Catholic identity is sparked by “a desire to maintain the strength and uniqueness of our schools.”

National Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 26 to Feb. 1.

Catholic schools are a source of catechesis, not only for the students who attend them, but for entire families, with parents, grandparents and others benefiting from the experience.

The Diocese of St. Cloud celebrated Catholic Schools Week by holding Masses at two locations simultaneously Jan. 31. Two thousand students and teachers from the St. Cloud area Catholic Community Schools gathered at Cathedral High School, while 600 were on hand at St. John’s Abbey Church in Collegeville. 

National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28-Feb. 3 highlights the significant contribution of the 6,300 Catholic schools that serve 1.8 million students and their families and communities. This week gives us much to celebrate and provides an opportunity to advocate for greater government support to make it possible for more parents to choose the best school for their child.