St. John Elementary students Emma Schexnaydner, left, and Ariona Sam know how much fun they can have when they play well together. 

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” — Proverbs 22:6 New International Version

Catholic schools across the nation will begin celebrating the annual Catholic School Week starting Sunday and running through Feb. 3. 

Instituted by the National Catholic Educational Association, schools typically observe the week focusing on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to church, local communities and the nation.

In the February edition of Acadiana Catholic magazine, Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel said he is personally resolved to promote Catholic education in the Diocese of Lafayette and to look for ways and funding to make it available to every child who desires to attend. 

Deshotel also said studies show Catholic education helps close the gap for poor, inner-city, minority students and Catholic schools have lower dropout rates than other schools, with a 99 percent graduation rate and with 97 percent advancing to college.

“Students who attended Catholic schools feel that they, as individuals, could be a force for good in their community,” Deshotel said. “This is due to the social conscience of Catholic social teaching they receive.”

This year’s national theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Each school is responsible for interpreting how they will represent that theme on individual campuses. The week’s itinerary at CHS represents a hands-on experience for students.

To kick off the week, Monday CHS students in all three tiers are asked to bring in items to ultimately contribute to the community. Elementary students will bring toiletries and clothes for the Diocesan Housing Units. Middle School will bring skin lotions and men’s toiletries benefiting the Cancer Center and Men’s Homeless Shelter. Senior high students will collect loose change to be donated to the social service center. Competing grades are challenged to see who will bring in the most money and the highest fundraising class will receive a prize.

A great way to learn about freedom comes Tuesday when CHS students will wear personal clothing, no uniforms — and no written homework. Wednesday celebrates the nation with assignments to write letters to police, firefighters and first responders thanking them for their service.

Thursday brings CHS students and St. Edward School together for a joint Mass.

“We have the privilege each and every school day to expound upon our faith, to teach about it, to live it and spread Christ to all who are involved in the schools,” said St. Edward School Principal Karen Bonin. “We started about six years ago to have our Masses together (with CHS for CSW) because we have a Catholic school system in New Iberia. For the greater good — regardless of logistics and what it takes to make it happen — the most important thing we can do is celebrate what we are all about. To celebrate the Eucharistic together as students, staff and families, all as one, is the best thing we can do.”

The once-a-year joint Mass actually embodies the

missions for both schools, Bonin said. For Catholic High that mission statement is “Action Not Words,” and for St. Edward it is “Living the Eucharistic Reality that All are One in Christ.”

“I feel that this event, more than any other we have together, truly captures the spirit of that,” Bonin said. “We are living the Eucharistic reality as we are one in Christ through our actions of celebrating Mass together, not just our words.”   

To close out the week, a celebration of faculty, staff and volunteers will be treated to lunch by Nelson Boutte’s Food Truck.

St. Mary Parish Catholic schools will also be participating in the national program. Leading up to a joint Mass, celebrated weekly on Fridays between St. John Elementary and Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin, the week will kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday with a joint Mass celebrating both faculties at Church of the Assumption.

Monday, St. John fourth- and fifth-graders will make cookies for shut-ins and others while third-graders will decorate spiritual cards. The second-graders will combine both upper classmates’ duties by decorating bags for the cookies. St. John and the Lafayette Diocese’s history will be taught to all grades each day in religion. Treats will be delivered to police, firefighters and sheriff’s departments.

Tuesday there will be speeches about the significance of the week starting at 8 a.m., treat bags will be distributed to shut-ins in the parish and ice cream sundae parties will take place in the classrooms. Wednesday is all about celebrating the nation and a Rosary will be recited early morning before lunch time, bringing parents and grandparents to join the children. Thursday’s focus is celebrating vocations. Kindergarten, first- and second-graders will offer prayers for the Pope, bishops, priests, seminarians and all the religious during religion class. Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders will make thank you cards for parish priests. Spelling Bees in the different grades also will be held.

Hanson Memorial High School students will celebrate starting Monday with a “Souper Bowl of Caring,” bringing in two cans of soup to be donated to the Emergency Aid Center. Among other similar activities as other area Catholic schools, Hanson will recognize Jacob Adams and Collin Faucheux as Hanson’s Students of the Year.

The Friday joint Mass will celebrate faculty, staff and volunteers. St. John will host coffee and a luncheon where they will honor Katie Price as Educator of the Year and Dwayne Doucet as Supporter of the Year. Hanson will celebrate Teacher of the Year Michelle Tholen and volunteer of the year Shane Faucheux.

Building a firm foundation begins with habits formed in childhood. Catholic School Week reinforces those principlesmbuilding the nation from successful grassroots efforts.