Catholic Schools celebrate faith, excellence, and service (Photos)

During Catholic Schools Week, schools celebrated with Masses, assemblies, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members.

The 73 Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Newark have been preparing for months for the festivities of Catholic Schools Week with special projects, Masses, and school-wide events for students, families, and staff.  

The theme for Catholic Schools Week this year was: "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service."

"Each year, Catholic schools across the nation take time to celebrate and highlight the many things that make Catholic schools outstanding,” said Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark. “In Catholic schools, we are all learners, servants, and leaders. These shared qualities are what make Catholic schools work. They are what make Catholic schools succeed.” 

Here is a compilation of the many festiviites celebrated by our Catholic schools during Catholic Schools Week 2023.

Faith

Students at Lacordaire Academy celebrated their faith with a Favorite Saints Costume Parade during Catholic Schools Week.

Students at St. Joseph Regional High School receive holy communion during Mass as part of a school-wide Catholic Schools Week celebration.

Students at St. John's Academy in Hillsdale particpated in a prayer service with their pastor to celebrate their faith during Catholic Schools Week.

Students at St. Elizabeth School kicked off Catholic Schools Week with a visual display of their faith and dedication to community service.

Students at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child pray during a school-wide Mass.

Students at Academy of the  Most Blessed Sacrament sang in the choir during a school-wide Mass to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

The school community of St. Leo School celebrated Mass together during Catholic Schools Week.

Students at the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament received a special lesson about the Sacred Heart of Jesus during Catholic Schools Week.

Excellence

Students at Holy Trinity School demonstrate excellence by practicing their cursive writing skills - a skill which is becoming a lost art, except in Catholic schools.

Students at Immaculate Heart Academy are presented with the school's Soaring Eagle Award to recognize excellence during Catholic Schools Week.

Students at St. John's Academy participated in a school-wide spelling bee during Catholic Schools Week; friendly competition fosters excellence in Catholic schools.

Our Lady of Sorrows School hosted a STEM fair where students presented projects and competed for awards.

Students at Our Lady of Czestochowa took a special trip to City Hall and held their own hearing as part of the school's Catholic Schools Week celebrations.

The Lacordaire Academy Mock Trial team competed in a regional competition during Catholic Schools Week.

Service

Families at Holy Trinity School gathered after school to craft over 700 sandwiches for local families in need.

Mount Saint Dominic Academy students participate in service initiatives all year round.

Students at Hudson Catholic High School wrote letters to service men and women, celebrating their love of country and passion for community service during Catholic Schools Week.

Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament students engaged in a park clean-up.

Students at Academy of the Holy Angels collected over 400 pairs of shoes for a humanitarian shelter in Arizona.

Students from Corpus Christi School took a trip to visit retired firefighters and bring donations to them, showing a love for community during Catholic Schools Week.

Students across several grade levels at Academy of Our Lady of Grace wrote thank-you letters to first responders to celebrate the community during Catholic Schools Week.

The youth group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish built sandwiches for a local soup kitchen during Catholic Schools Week.

Students at Our Lady of the Lake school collected cans during Catholic Schools Week for a local food bank.