The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
For 40 years National Catholic Schools Week has been held in the United States. Here is how some of the Catholic schools in Arkansas will be celebrating Jan. 26 to Feb. 1.
St. Joseph
During Grandparent Day, grandparents are invited to spend the day with their grandchildren on Wednesday. The day will include Mass and lunch. Students can wear any school-affiliated shirt throughout the week except Wednesday. This allows the community to see the students’ school spirit throughout the week.
Christ the King
Christ the King School will kick off the week with a children’s Mass, pancake breakfast, open house and science fair Jan. 26. For the 40th anniversary of Catholic Schools Week, schools across the country are encouraged to commit to 40 hours of community service in their local areas. Christ the King will participate in several service projects during the week to benefit the homebound, Mercy Crest Retirement Home, the American Legion, many religious in formation, St. Scholastica Monastery, the local police, fire and EMS, as well as Lincoln Childcare and the Golden Rule Clothes Closet. An Amazing Race will close out the week where students will exercise their minds and their bodies by solving clues and completing challenges.
Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception School will have Mass at 10 a.m. Jan. 26 followed by a brunch in conjunction with its first art show. Art teachers Rebecca Johnson and Stephanie Gean will showcase the works of many talented students.
St. John
On Friday, Jan. 24, the school will have an all-school Mass. A Family Fun Run will take place on Sunday. Monday will begin with an all-school interactive rosary. The service project — Mercy and Me, a fund set up help needy families — will be introduced at a pep rally Monday.
A Family and Friends Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Tuesday and students and faculty will have a quiz bowl in the afternoon. Wednesday will include the annual middle school vs. teachers volleyball game. On Thursday students will learn about Mercy charism and plan what act of mercy they will do. The week will end with an all-school prayer service and talent show.
St. Mary
Students will participate in various roles during Mass Jan. 26. On Monday, a chili supper will be served to the families of the school and parish, followed by bingo and the opening of the Book Fair. Tuesday is Grandparents Day with bingo and soup lunch. The week will close with a Mardi Gras dance and auction.
Our Lady of the Holy Souls
The week will open with a Mass at 4 p.m. Jan. 25. Students will be lectors and gift bearers and the school choir will provide the music. At all weekend Masses, students will be passing out thank you notes to parishioners for their support and praying for the school. On Monday an eighth-grade vs. faculty basketball game will be played. Fathers will be invited to school Tuesday for Donuts with Dad in the morning. Students will write thank you notes to parish groups and community groups. The parents are invited to attend adoration with their child on Wednesday. On Thursday the day will begin with Muffins with Moms. Students will write thank-you notes to priests, deacons and seminarians. That afternoon students will gather in the church to pray the rosary for Catholic schools. The celebration will end on Friday night with a talent show.
St. Theresa
On Monday each classroom will make posters and signs to display in their designated hall area. On Tuesday students will compete in academic challenges. On Thursday students will be asked to donate new or used blankets and sleeping bags for the homeless. For “Souper Bowl” on Friday students will be asked to bring a canned soup and dress in the colors of their favorite sports team or wear a team shirt.
Sacred Heart
On Sunday students will lead ministries during 10:30 a.m. Mass and on Monday students will participate in a living rosary. On Tuesday all grades will take part in a service project on campus. On Wednesday students from St. John School in Russellville will visit and attend Mass and students will compete in the Catholic Quiz Bowl. On Thursday students can select mini- courses on a variety of topics and activities and on Friday they will participate in the Amazing Race.
Immaculate Conception
The PTO will host a pancake breakfast from 7-10:30 a.m. Sunday. An open house will be held for prospective families from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During the week students and teachers will be assembling birthday cake kits for a local food pantry, providing meals for the daily volunteers, writing thank-you cards to local businesses and volunteers and creating prayer cards for the bishop. An assembly will be held on Wednesday featuring alumni and class skits on the topic “Reasons I Am Thankful to Attend a Catholic School.” The annual school talent show will be held on Thursday and the celebration will conclude on Friday with Teacher Appreciation Day and the traditional conga line throughout the school.
NLR Catholic Academy
North Little Rock Catholic Academy will celebrate Sunday Mass at 10:15 a.m. with teacher participation. On Tuesday the book character costume contest and buddy reading day will be held. All-school Mass will be held at noon Wednesday and families are invited. The week will conclude with crazy socks day for students who bring in canned or non-perishable food for Helping Hand. A school rosary will be said for peace in the country and world.
St. Mary
Parents and grandparents are invited to lunch. Students will enjoy an hour of karaoke and refreshments on Friday. School night at McDonald’s will be held with fifth- and sixth-grade students refilling drinks and cleaning tables. Volunteers and community members are invited to a nacho buffet lunch on Friday. Mass on Feb. 1 will conclude the week. Students will participate by being lectors, ushers, gift bearers, servers and choir members.
St. Joseph
Former students who are now priests will celebrate Mass for the school on Monday. Other Masses, rosary, adoration and prayers will be held throughout the week. A visiting artist, African drummer Zinse Agginie, will work with the students and present a short program for Family Fun Night. All students will travel to Subiaco Academy to hear the jazz band. Students will be asked to donate coins and dollars to Camp Hope for Heroes, an organization that helps local veterans.
St. John
The kick-off Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Mass Jan. 26. The students will lead the singing and take up the gifts. Dr. Mary Ann Rollans, a St. John alumnus, will address the congregation. Students will attend vocations presentations Monday. On Wednesday, fourth and fifth graders will visit Sacred Heart School in Morrilton. A Catholic quiz bowl will be held Thursday with fourth and fifth graders defending their title against a parent group. A VIP luncheon will be served at noon Friday with local dignitaries invited to attend.
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