Celebrations for students, their families, churchgoers, and the general public began on Sunday and will continue this coming Saturday as part of Catholic Schools Week.
Celebrating National Catholic Schools Week Across Los Angeles
"Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence, and Service" is the overarching theme for this year's National Catholic Schools Week celebration. The events will include activities held in Pasadena, like open houses, special masses, and other unique things for the students.
According to Pasadena Now, Saint Andrew Catholic School, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus, Mayfield Junior School, La Salle High School, and St. Philip the Apostle School are the six schools that will celebrate Catholic Schools that are located within the city limits.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which includes schools in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, will also be honored for its efforts to increase enrollment, mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, and prepare for future facility enhancements during the weeklong event.
Senior Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Paul Escala reported that the system-wide enrollment of Catholic schools had grown by 2.6%, that student performance had improved, and that many of the schools had been awarded funding to improve their facilities and introduce new educational offerings.
According to Escala, the Archdiocese collaborated with the various local public health departments throughout the pandemic to equip schools with more than 300,000 N95 and surgical masks, more than 40,000 fast tests, and access to on-campus testing, as per the report.
During the celebration that will last for an entire week, members of the Archdiocese want to recite special prayers for the nation's health and pay tribute to educators, parents, and other essential employees.
On campus, students will participate in sporting events and activities that foster teamwork; off school, they will perform community service.
The annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States has taken place during National Catholic Schools Week every year since 1974.
It begins on the final Sunday of January and continues throughout the next week, which this year falls on Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.
According to National Catholic Educational Association, by participating in these activities, schools highlight the benefits that Catholic education offers young people and the contributions it makes to the local church, communities, and the country as a whole.
About Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has acknowledged that it accepts the mission to carry on the work that Jesus Christ started. They work together under the archbishop's pastoral guidance to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel daily.
As stated on its website, at almost 600 locations throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles provides care for millions of people, including children, the elderly, families, men and women, immigrants, and homeless, as well as other vulnerable populations.
Under the loving patronage of Mary, Queen of the Angels, the Archdiocese commits its parish communities, schools, institutions, ministries, and organizations to carry out this mission.
