Victoria Cox

CELEBRATION IN FAITH AND UNITY Chaplain Father Mark Cruz gives his homily on bringing together a community of people blessed with Catholic education. Catholic Schools Week (CSW) is for celebrating how Catholic education has changed our lives. “I believe Mass plays a huge role in CSW because it reminds us how crucial faith is to our everyday lives,” Delaney said. “During CSW not only should we thank our faculty and staff, but also [remember] that CSW is centered around our connection to God.”

Catholic Schools Week is a dedicated week during the school year that is nationally celebrated each year in the US. This week-long celebration began in 1974, and normally starts on the last Sunday in January and runs throughout the rest of the week. Schools usually observe this celebratory week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families and community members to participate in. 

The primary purpose of the week is to focus on the value of Catholic Education and what it gives to our community. Sophomore Matthew Delaney explains what Mater Dei does to honor the tradition. 

“The school celebrates by dedicating each day to thanking a different part of the staff and community for their hard work,” Delaney said. “Mater Dei’s celebrations reflect the purpose of Catholic Schools Week, as they show appreciation for those that allow our school to thrive.”

The hands-on activities are only a symbol of what Catholic Schools Week is really about. It is a concrete reminder on how we can connect as a community and as a Catholic school. The main focus of the week is to bring together many different people to celebrate a common belief. Another aspect is the connection to our faith, as we recognize that Catholic schools are something not everyone has the privilege of attending. 

“These celebrations allow me to reflect on how fortunate I am to get a Catholic education and that I get to learn with all of these amazing people around me,” Delaney said.  

Even if the celebration only lasts one week of the school year, people should be carrying the tradition throughout the year. Junior Alice Eskander explains how she continues to embody the values of this special week throughout the whole school year.

“I feel that I carry on the tradition of Catholic Schools Week around my campus year round as I make it my goal to make sure that everyone feels included and brings people together,” Eskander said. ‘This connection with my peers encourages me to grow in my relationship with God even further while I watch others do the same.”

Catholic Schools Week is also a way to give back to the community. With fires spreading throughout LA, some schools have looked at means to fundraise money to donate to the people who have been affected by the fire. The MD ASB members did something similar by selling wristbands during the week. It is a way to bring a community together in support for those who are struggling. 

“My favorite part of Catholic Schools Week has been watching our school come together as a community, especially now with the fires in LA,” Eskander said. “Watching our school’s combined efforts to help those in need has been truly amazing. 

Senior Avery Shelton has attended a Catholic school for all of her 12 years in school, and has experienced this celebration throughout the years. She has also seen different schools and their attempts at making the week a memorable experience, as well as trying to include many faith-based aspects.

“I feel there’s a good balance between fun activities and the faith-based elements of Catholic Schools Week,” Shelton said. “We have a special Mass planned, and throughout the week we provide service by showing our appreciation to those who make a difference in Catholic education.”

As a senior, Shelton finds herself leaving behind a tradition she’s been doing every January. However, it does not mean she will forget the celebrations throughout her life. 

“For me personally, I have a younger sister who will still be going to Mater Dei after I graduate,” Shelton said. “I can still stay connected to Catholic Schools Week through participating in events at my parish and showing my support to those who helped me on my journey.”

Ultimately Catholic Schools Week’s main goal is to bring a community together; one that has something in common, which is having a Catholic education to be celebrated.

“I think our school [comes] together during Catholic Schools Week because we realize how blessed we are to have the opportunity to go to a Catholic school and all the love we are provided with on our campus,” Eskander said.