BERLIN – Celebrating the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Dennis Sullivan reminded students of their identity as children of God.
“We are a school of Catholic faith. We talk about God. We pray to God. We love God,” he told the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Regional School students during a Mass on Jan. 30. “A Catholic school always looks outside the door, to [the needs] of the community, world and neighborhood.”
Photo Gallery: Catholic Schools Week at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Berlin school was among those Bishop Sullivan visited during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29-Feb. 4. Across the Diocese of Camden, Catholic schools celebrated the value of a Catholic education and its positive impact on society with Masses and events ranging from pep rallies and karaoke to spelling bees and special guests.
In addition to engaging students in the pews, discussing topics such as their favorite subjects and the Philadelphia Eagles, Bishop Sullivan spoke on the importance of grandparents, many of whom were in attendance to coincide with the school’s Grandparents Day.
The Bishop not only reminded students to show gratitude to their teachers, who “lead you to something more … to help you learn about yourself, learn about the world, and learn about the mysteries of faith,” but also stressed the importance of the older generation.
“We have to honor, love and respect them,” he said of the students’ grandparents. “[Those] who have given us love and support.”
“Grandparents, don’t we love them?” he asked the students, who responded with a resounding, “YES!”
After Mass, Bishop Sullivan joined grandparents and students for coffee, cookies and a book fair in the school gym before visiting classrooms with staff and youngsters.
Dr. Bill Watson, Secretariat of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Camden, was in attendance for the day’s festivities. He said he was grateful for the Bishop’s visit. “Bishop Sullivan is such a great pastor; he was able to speak with students today about the importance of Catholic schools, and reinforce to them, their parents, and grandparents the choice that they make to be here.”
Referring to the Catholic Schools Week theme of “Faith. Excellence. Service,” Dr. Watson said it’s the first tenet that “really sets [Catholic schools] apart. Everything else rests on that.”
Principal Alice Malloy said grandparents are “paving the way” for the younger generation. “In a lot of ways, grandparents are the lifeblood and way we continue the faith,” Malloy said, citing as examples how they attend school Masses and help by volunteering.
Eighth-grader Ava Kuchler was among the students happy to spend time at school with grandparents. Her grandfather, Joe, said he supports “Catholic education to the fullest.” He and his wife had one child in Catholic schools for 16 straight years; he was looking forward to seeing his granddaughter, a member of the school’s junior national honors society, help induct the newest members later in the day.
Three-year-old Pre-K student Matthew Trant was also thrilled to see his grandparents, Chris and Christine Morris, during Mass. “We passed by his pew as we were returning from Communion, and he lit up as he saw us,” Chris Morris said.
The Morrises sent their children through Catholic schools and were privileged to spend time with their oldest grandson during Catholic Schools Week. “It’s important for our little guy, and all students, to stay with Catholic schools to do well in life and succeed.”
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