This week, January 29th-February 4th, marks an important occasion for the Saint Rose students, faculty, and families. This week is Catholic Schools Week, a nationwide celebration of Catholic education that is celebrated by every Catholic school in the United States. Catholic Schools Week has been an annual national celebration of Catholic schools since 1974, and the Saint Rose community has been greatly anticipating the festivities this year. It is a week that celebrates with mass and several other activities for students and faculty. Catholic Schools week allows us to take a step back and realize the importance and values of a Catholic education. Most importantly, it is a week to celebrate what makes Saint Rose so special- it’s Catholic Heart. The Saint Rose community is welcoming and always able to help, and the Catholic environment provides students with a learning experience that is incomparable to any other. Each year, Catholic Schools Week signifies a time to be grateful and celebrate the faculty, staff, students, families, and Catholic virtues of the Saint Rose community.
The first day of Catholic Schools week at Saint Rose High School, Monday the 30th, was started with a Mass for the entire student body. Father Walter’s homily talked about how demons surrounded us, and how we must open our hearts to Jesus and his works. This week we can take the importance of this message and open our hearts, in order to fully appreciate Catholic education and its values. During the mass, the valedictorian and salutatorian were also announced, with Jill Barry being the Salutatorian and Katie Considine being named the Valedictorian. Congratulations to these spectacular Saint Rose students!
Students are also looking forward to the several other events to take place during the week. On Tuesday the 31st, students will celebrate vocation day, and report to the little theater for a presentation during their religion classes. Guest speakers that have been called to a religious vocation will speak to the students about their experiences. Wednesday marks student appreciation day- a day for the teachers and faculty to celebrate the Saint Rose students, their accomplishments, and their compassion. It is a day for students to be rewarded for contributing their talents and making Saint Rose the amazing place that it is. Thursday is Teacher Appreciation Day. Acting for the entire student body, the student council will hold a breakfast for the fantastic teachers and faculty members that keep Saint Rose running smoothly. Every year on the last day of Catholic Schools Week the school holds an assembly that features a guest speaker or group. But due to a scheduling conflict with the guest speaker, this catholic school week festivity was rescheduled to Monday, February 13th.
Overall, Catholic Schools Week is an important week for every member of the Saint Rose community, and for all Catholic schools across the nation. It signifies the values of Catholic education and the amazing opportunities it provides for students.When asked why they enjoyed Catholic Schools week, Saint Rose freshman, Cailey Maloney,replied, “I like Catholic Schools Week because it is a way for all of us to celebrate the amazing people and catholic education that makes our school so great!”. Saint Rose senior, Megan Theobald, stated that catholic schools week holds a special place in her heart. “It is a way for us to celebrate the great values in our school community, but most importantly, it helps me truly appreciate all the sacrifices my parents have made to send me to Saint Rose.” These realizations show the importance of catholic education and this awesome annual week of celebrations to the students. Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity for all of us-the students, teachers, admissions, and families- to celebrate and show appreciation for the catholic education and heart of Saint Rose High School.
By Alex Hambsch ’17, Staff Writer