The winter weather may have put on ice activities across South Jersey, but the warmth of Catholic Schools Week melted right through it.
“Despite delays or postponements, we were happy to celebrate our school. It’s a unique Catholic community, and I think that’s important to recognize,” Matt Tornese, principal of Saint Michael the Archangel Regional School, Clayton, said as squeaks of sneakers against a gym floor bounced off the walls.
The squeaks joined cheers as students, teachers and staff came together for a pep rally and volleyball game Jan. 30, toward the end of Catholic Schools Week.
Though Catholic Schools Week was set for Jan. 25-31 this year, snow and ice postponed events with the closing and delayed opening of schools. But as the week wore on, the fun resumed. Plus, a majority of schools rescheduled events and special guest visitors for throughout the month of February.
After all, Catholic schools are just too important not to celebrate.
“Catholic Schools Week is a time when we get to recognize that we are unique from other schools insofar as we are not just here to learn with our minds, but to learn also with our hearts. To truly form the whole person – that’s the goal of Catholic schools,” said Father Thomas Piro, one of the Diocese’s associate directors of vocations, who visited Saint Michael the Archangel and took part in the student vs. faculty volleyball game.
Eighth-grader Juliana Lamb couldn’t agree more. “Catholic Schools Week means to me that we’re all working as a community and a family, praising God and having fun, and enjoying activities together as a school.”
Recognizing the value of Catholic schools was on the mind of Father Jon Thomas as well, as he visited Saint Peter School, Merchantville, and Saint John Paul II Regional School, Stratford, on Jan. 29.
“Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to show what makes Catholic schools special and why they are worth preserving,” said Father Thomas, vicar general for the Diocese of Camden and parish pastor of Christ the King in Haddonfield, which also has a school.
“I saw an event at Saint Peter’s, an academic race, that showed how smart our students are – questions I was not able to answer anymore!” he said with a laugh. “I also saw an event at Saint John Paul II, a talent show, where they were able to show an entirely different side of school culture, and celebrate song and dance. Both are part of the culture of our Catholic schools and what distinguishes them from others.”
Kathy O’Callaghan, principal of Saint Peter School, noted that a Catholic education and community are important to take note of.
“We are supposed to be people of joy, and this is such a great way to do it,” she said of the week. Plus, “even though we had the delay … we learned how adaptable we are. We just hit the ground running.”
Indeed, whether in high school, grade school or Pre-K, students across the Diocese were joyful and eager to take part in Catholic Schools Week events ranging from science lessons and academic races, to vocations talks and career days.
At Saint John Paul II Regional School, students from each grade took the stage for a talent show, demonstrating skills such as dancing, singing and karate. In the audience cheering them on were classmates, faculty, parents and guests, including Father Thomas and Dr. Bill Watson, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. There was even a special surprise, as teachers joined the eighth-grade class for a lively performance of the Cupid Shuffle.
“I’ve learned as an eighth-grader, being my last year here, that it is important to share these experiences with your friends and to remember the memories,” student Kaeylin Pitts said.
Fellow eighth-grade student Maya Carrero, who is part of the school’s Yearbook Club, could relate.
“Being able to take photos of people during Catholic Schools Week has been fun because I have been able to capture other people’s moments of joy and laughing with their friends,” she said.
“I have learned to just go for it. Have fun with your friends, because it is your last year. Even if you feel anxious, it is worth having memories for a lifetime.”
Michael Bress, Office of Catholic Schools, Lori M. Nichols, associate editor, and Jennifer Mauro, managing editor, contributed to this report.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
