Catholic Schools Week marked
Subzero temperatures have closed schools and iced some special events planned for National Catholic Schools Week, which runs Sunday through Saturday.
The week's theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
Catholic schools mark the annual celebration with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members.
The bitter cold Wednesday forced the closure of Butler Catholic School, 515 E. Locust St., and derailed plans for an 11 a.m. lunch for students and state troopers, said Christine Swift, director of marketing. Twelve state troopers had been expected to attend.
“School has been officially canceled for tomorrow,” said Swift on Tuesday.
A food-related event at Holy Sepulcher School, 6515 Old Route 8 North, Middlesex Township, was also canceled Wednesday by the school's closing.
Kristine Marsico, advancement director at Holy Sepulcher, said the students had planned to prepare lunches for the Red Door Project Wednesday morning.
North Catholic High School, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Township, was also closed Wednesday scotching plans for a schoolwide “Family Feud”-style game.
Catholic schools in Butler County still have a few special events and Masses planned in honor of National Catholic Schools Week. It all depends on the weather.
According to Megan O'Hara, admissions counselor and marketing coordinator at North Catholic High School, Friday is 'Spirit Day.
“We have a service project where we are sponsoring individuals in Third-World countries — two children and one elderly woman.
“Our schoolwide service project through Unbound (a Kansas City-based charity) will raise funds for two children and one elderly woman we sponsor from Third World countries,” she said.
“By our students making small sacrifices over the course of one week, they can provide food, shelter, medical care, and educational opportunities to three people for a whole year,” said O'Hara.
“On Friday, it's school spirit day, a home basketball game against Carlynton High School, and also L.I.F.E. Lock-In,” she said.
“L.I.F.E. stands for Living In Faith Experience and this lock-in is a mini overnight retreat at North Catholic,” said O'Hara.
St. Wendelin School, 211 St. Wendelin Road, had planned to send students on buses to Family Bowlaway, 540 Fairground Hill Road, Thursday followed by STEM football project Friday and a semiformal dance Saturday, along with an alumni Mass and dinner.
Still, before the arrival of the Arctic vortex, schools marked the week with events such as Butler Catholic School's kick ball tournament on Tuesday.
Sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), National Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States since 1974.
North Catholic Principal Luke Crawford said, “Each year we continue to build on the theme of gratitude and responsibility as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week.
“We are grateful for the opportunity of Catholic schools and continue to work to provide a top-notch education to our students,” he said.
