Diverse celebrations unite school communities in faith (Catholic Schools Week)
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Newark are actively embracing diversity within their faith communities to foster unity.
The commitment of Catholic schools to embrace this diversity is not a recent development. According to the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), Catholic schools have a long-standing tradition of welcoming and supporting minority students.
Archdiocesan schools welcome a diverse student body. According to the Office of Schools, elementary schools throughout the Archdiocese have the following breakdown: 25% Hispanic or Latino, 13% African American, 12% Asian, and 10% representing other groups or multi-racial identities. The high school populations are also diverse: 18% African American, 22% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Asian, and 9% from other groups or multi-racial backgrounds.
Around the Archdiocese of Newark, Catholic schools go beyond merely acknowledging diversity; they actively incorporate a myriad of customs and celebrations into the daily lives of students. By blending cultural celebrations from various ethnicities and offering education on unfamiliar customs, the schools create an environment that fosters unity, inclusion, and the celebration of diversity for the enriching tapestry it weaves within our community of faith and friendship.
“Our commitment to providing a quality education extends beyond academic excellence; it encompasses fostering an environment where students and their families, regardless of their background, feel valued and included,” said Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Schools. “By incorporating customs and celebrations from various ethnicities, our school communities instill in our students the importance of unity, respect, and the joy that comes from embracing the richness of our diversity. Our Catholic schools are not just places of learning; they are vibrant communities that mirror the inclusivity exemplified by Jesus Christ.”
Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is observed by East and Southeast Asian communities of China, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, the Chinese diaspora, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Some Catholic parishes host events acknowledging the Lunar New Year’s cultural significance, incorporating prayers, blessings, and rituals compatible with Catholic teachings. Celebrants in families and communities integrate customs like festive meals, dragon or lion dances, and the giving of red envelopes with monetary gifts into their celebrations.
Diwali
In November, Lacordaire Academy celebrated its 2nd Annual Diwali event. Organized by parents, the festival featured students performing dances and songs, along with educational activities.
Diwali, a Hindu Festival of Lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Although rooted in Hinduism, individuals from diverse faiths join the celebration, lighting oil lamps called diyas.
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India acknowledged Diwali this year with a special message, praying for prosperity, tranquility, peace, and harmony in the country.
Feast of St. Nicholas Day, German Advent Wreaths
Students across the Archdiocese celebrated the Feast of Saint Nicholas with all kinds of traditions this year.
At Holy Trinity School in Westfield, students learned about the German tradition of Saint Nicholas Day. On Dec. 5, children in Germany leave boots outside their doorsteps. Overnight, the shoes “magically” get filled with chocolates, sweets, and sometimes a bit of money. Students across the Archdiocese celebrated by adopting this custom, leaving their shoes in the hallway. Upon checking, they found their shoes filled with goodies to enjoy.
Historians suggest that pre-Christian Germanic communities lit candles around wreaths during dark winter months, anticipating springtime. According to legend, in 1839, Johann Hinrich Wichern, a German pastor, crafted a wreath from an old cartwheel to help children count down the days until Christmas. It featured small candles lit every weekday and Saturday throughout Advent, with a large white candle illuminated on Sundays.
Students all over the Archdiocese celebrated Advent with Catholic traditions.
Dia de los Muertos
On Nov. 1, students observed Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican celebration of “Day of the Dead,” holding a remembrance day for their departed loved ones.
The celebration coincides with Catholic feasts of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, dedicated to honoring and remembering deceased loved ones. Dia de los Muertos extends the commemorations with unique cultural traditions, such as creating elaborate altars called ofrendas adorned with photos, favorite foods, and mementos of the departed.
Rooted in the communion of saints, a spiritual connection between the living and the departed, Dia de los Muertos provides a time for families to come together, celebrate ancestors’ lives, and pray for their souls. The use of colorful marigolds, candles, and sugar skulls in ofrendas symbolizes the blend of indigenous traditions with Catholic elements, creating a unique and meaningful cultural expression embraced by many Mexican Catholics to remember and honor the deceased within their religious beliefs.
Ukrainian tradition of pysanky
During Easter last year, students at the Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock learned about a Ukrainian tradition known as pysanky.
Pysanky is a traditional Ukrainian and Polish craft involving the decoration of Easter eggs, typically using a wax-resist method. The word “pysanky” is derived from the Ukrainian verb “pysaty,” meaning “to write,” as the intricate designs are “written” on the eggs with beeswax.
Pysanky eggs are particularly significant for Ukrainian and Polish Catholics during the Easter season. The eggs are symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, representing new life and the triumph over death. The process of creating Pysanky involves a series of steps: the eggs are first emptied, then wax is applied in specific patterns to protect certain areas from dye absorption. The egg is dyed in multiple colors, and the wax is reapplied to preserve the colors achieved. Finally, the wax is melted off, revealing the intricate and vibrant designs underneath.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
At St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains, middle school students celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 15 by laying flowers at the feet of a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Our Lady of Guadalupe holds immense cultural and religious significance, particularly in Mexico and among the Catholic communities in the Americas. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe began when an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared to a peasant named Juan Diego in 1531, near present-day Mexico City.
The image of the Virgin Mary appeared on Juan Diego’s cloak. The shrine built in her honor, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.
Indigenous symbols and traditions are often incorporated into the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For example, in depictions of Our Lady of Gudalupe, the crescent moon at the feet of the Virgin is associated with the Aztec moon goddess, and the stars on her cloak are believed to correspond to constellations significant in Aztec cosmology. This blending of cultures helped in the conversion of indigenous people to Christianity while allowing them to retain elements of their own cultural identity.
Featured image: In addition to their religious significance, Pysanky eggs are deeply rooted in Eastern European cultural traditions. They often feature symbolic motifs related to fertility, nature, and folklore.
