Maine Catholic Schools Week
Now in its 52nd year, Maine Catholic Schools Week, January 25 - January 31, 2026, celebrates the mission of Catholic schools: to evangelize students by nourishing faith and encouraging academic excellence while accentuating the importance of community and service in a nurturing environment. The theme for 2026 is Catholic Schools, United in Faith and Community.
Each day of Catholic Schools Week is also dedicated to a different theme. On Sunday, schools celebrate their parishes, oftentimes by having students actively participate in one of the Sunday Masses. Monday is a day during which schools celebrate community. Tuesday is a day dedicated to celebrating students. On Wednesday, schools celebrate our nation. Thursday is a celebration of vocations, and on Friday, celebrating faculty, staff and volunteers.
Each of Maine's Catholic schools will hold a variety of fun activities, family gatherings, and special service projects during Catholic Schools Week. You will find a list of some of them below.
All Saints Catholic School, Bangor
All Saints Catholic School will celebrate the fruits of the Spirit during Catholic Schools Week. The school will collect food items for Hope for the Homeless and the Bangor Ecumenical Food Pantry. Students will also create a peace chain (using a dove cut-out) and will participate in "Kindness Bingo" and a Fruits of the Spirit scavenger hunt, using Scripture passages leading to one of the fruits.
Sunday, January 25 - Students participate in Mass at St. John Church in Bangor
Monday, January 26 – Celebrate joy! Wear bright neon colors to school.
Tuesday, January 27 – Celebrate goodness! Mismatch day.
Wednesday, January 28 – Celebrate peace and faith. Attend Mass at St. John Church in Bangor, and there will be an open house.
Thursday, January 29 – Celebrate kindness! Wear your cardigan!
Friday, January 30 – Celebrate love! It’s pajama day at the St. Mary’s campus and red & white day at the St. John’s campus.
Holy Cross School, South Portland
Sunday, January 25 - Students participate in a Catholic Schools Week Mass at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in South Portland
Monday, January 26 - Forming teams and start door decorating. Weeklong penny challenge begins. Sacrament display.
Tuesday, January 27 - Gym games; Students participate in KIVA loan program. Sacrament display.
Wednesday, January 28 - Gym games; Students participate in KIVA loan program. Sacrament display.
Thursday, January 29 - Final door decorating an Holy Cross trivia. Sacrament display.
Friday, January 30 - Sacrament displays and Grade 8 vs. staff volleyball.
St. Brigid School, Portland
Sunday, January 25 - Students will participate in the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue in Portland.
Monday, January 26 - Opening prayer service and beginning of schoolwide coin competition to benefit the Mother Seton House in Fryeburg.
Tuesday - January 27 – The Salt Flat Company will hold a tumble class for preschoolers. Students in pre-K and kindergarten will visit the Maine Academy of Gymnastics. First-fifth graders will host relay races, while middle school students hold a volleyball tournament.
Wednesday - January 28 – A Portland Dome inflatable extravaganza field trip, a life-sized Candyland game for preschoolers and kindergarten students, and a Catholic escape room activity.
Thursday, January 29 - Students host the Sisters of Mercy for a tea party and create their own St. Brigid fire votive in honor of St. Brigid’s feast day. Middle school students will play Catholic Jeopardy, while younger students will enjoy popcorn and a movie.
Friday - January 30 - The school will pray the Rosary to start the day and then will participate in Dance Mania in the gymnasium.
St. Dominic Academy, Lewiston
Sunday, January 26 - Celebrate the start of Catholic School Week with a Mass at Holy Family Church in Lewiston at 5 p.m.
St. James School, Biddeford
Saturday, January 24 - Family Mass at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco followed by a turkey dinner
Monday, January 26 - Sports jersey day and thank you to parents community presentation
Tuesday, January 27 - All school Mass, reptile room, and door decorating contest.
Wednesday, January 28 - Red, white & blue day, expressing thank you to veterans, and bowling.
Thursday, January 29 - Celebration vocations with alumni vocations presentations; Open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, January 30 - School colors casual day with pizza for everyone, a movie for younger students and a pep rally and student/staff basketball game.
Saturday, January 31 - Snowflake dance at Most Holy Trinity Church Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
St. John's Catholic School, Brunswick
Throughout the week, students will hold a food drive to support the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.
Sunday, January 25 - Family Mass celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick
Monday, January 26 - Dress like your future self, career day, religion fair projects
Tuesday, January 27 - Hat Day, and Catholic Trivia
Wednesday, January 28 - USA Day - Dress in red, white & Blue, Winter Carnival
Thursday, January 29, - Favorite Sports Team Jersey Day, Eucharistic Adoration with Fr. Phil Tracy
Friday, January 30 - Mainer Day (Wear flannel, jeans, etc.), and Min-it to Win-it Competition
St. Thomas School, Sanford
Monday, January 26, 2026 - Family Mass and parishioner thank you breakfast, followed by a pep rally with the school song and class chant. Plus Stop, Drop & Read, along with board games.
Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28 - Enrichment Days with visits from area professionals on a variety of topics, including science experiments, crafts, dance, sign language, Colonial toys, etc.
Thursday, January 29 - A talent show and the Breakfast Box Battle winning class announced.
Friday, January 30 - Bowling and a service project STEM setup.
Additional Resources
Auspice Maria on Maine Catholic Schools Week - January 2025
