Follow Me Celebrating our Catholic schools By Bishop Terry R. LaValley

January 26, 2022

This year, from January 30 to February 5, we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week. This annual celebration of Catholic education is an appropriate time to express appreciation to all who contribute to making our Catholic Schools in the North Country strong communities of faith, knowledge, and service.

For generations, our Catholic schools have offered academic excellence and faith-filled education for our children. They continue to provide our children with a safe setting in these most challenging of times.

We salute and express deep gratitude to our principals, faculty, and staff for their untiring commitment to our students. Our parents’ support and patience and the adaptability of our students to the established protocols have enabled our schools to continue our mission with a minimum of hiccups.

I am especially grateful to Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, SSJ, Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, Mrs. Karen Donahue, Assistant Superintendent and their staff for the tremendous support they continue to extend to our Catholic schools.

A quick review of what our Catholic schools offer, reveals why parents choose a Catholic school for their children:
1. An education that integrates Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.

2. We partner with parents in the academic and faith formation of their children.

3. We set high standards for student achievement and accompany them in their journey to succeed.

4. We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life.

5. We use technology effectively to enhance education.

6. We instill in students the value of service to others.

7. We teach children respect of self and others.

8. We emphasize conscience formation, moral development and self-discipline.

9. We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.

10. We have a supportive faculty and staff who are dedicated, caring, and competent.

11. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.

I always enjoy my visits to the schools of our diocese. It gives me an opportunity to agitate, I mean, bless our youngsters.

When one enters through the front doors, the visitor notices something distinctly different about our schools. Gospel joy saturates the space. That’s the kind of environment in which the whole person is formed and we, as a society and as a Church are blessed.

Let us continue to pray for our Catholic school faith families and our parishioners who so generously support them. Happy Catholic Schools Week!