Catholic Schools Week celebrates educational mission, service and spirit

Kicking off on January 28th with Masses across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine, Catholic Schools Week celebrates its 50th anniversary year in 2024, with schools as south as Sanford and as north at Bangor participating through a variety of activities and programs in the coming days.

Students from Holy Cross School served at a Mass at Holy Cross Church in South Portland on Sunday, during which Fr. Jack Dickinson, pastor of St. John Paul II, shared the importance of the week in the life of the Church.

“As we start Catholic Schools Week today, we see what the goal of Catholic school is – faith and reason together leading us to the ultimate truth, God Himself,” he said. “Catholic education at its finest helps our young people to see that science is essential for coming to know the world around us, but it is also can’t answer every question. Faith and science together are needed.”

A national celebration, the theme of Catholic Schools Week this year is United in Community. Several schools are serving their communities through a variety of projects including charitable drives for local organizations, as well as card making for nursing home residents and military veterans. Schools are also hosting open houses and academic events, honoring the nation, and celebrating school spirit through fun activities.

Schools with week-long activities include: All Saints Catholic School in Bangor, St. John Catholic School in Brunswick, St. Brigid School in Portland, Holy Cross School in South Portland, St. James Schools in Biddeford, St. Thomas School in Sanford, St. Michael School in Augusta, St. Dominic Academy in Lewiston and Auburn, and Mt. Merici Academy in Waterville.