Our schools put Jesus' message of love and mercy into action (Catholic Schools Week)

Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Newark will celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2024 Jan. 28 -Feb. 3, with this year’s theme: “United in Faith and Community.”

The theme captures the spirit of Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools, students, families, educators, and parishioners “forming community, learning and living their faith, and reaching out to the larger community to put Jesus’ message of love and mercy into action,” Father Stephen Fichter, Ph.D. Episcopal Vicar of Education; and Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Schools; said in a joint message to their school communities.

Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable things that take place in our schools and to invite others to experience some of the specialness that keeps us “united in faith and community.”

*Superintendent of Schools Barbara Nolan and Episcopal Vicar of Education Father Stephen Fichter.*

“Catholic schools are committed to providing students with an excellent academic education, faith formation, and community building,” they wrote. “In Catholic schools, we are all learners, servants, and leaders. Being united in a shared mission is at the core of Catholic education and is what helps our schools succeed.”

The Archdiocese of Newark is home to 68 Catholic schools. Forty-six educate students in pre-kindergarten to Grade 8, and 22 schools offer a secondary school education. About 2,100 children are enrolled in prekindergarten programs, over 10,000 students are in K-8, and another 9,700 students are in grades 9-12.

“We are proud of our Catholic schools’ long and strong history and the outstanding work accomplished each day by those who lead, teach, and serve in our schools,” they wrote. “While there may be fewer Catholic schools in our Archdiocese than there were in the past, the mission remains the same, and the energy and faith of those in our school communities give us many reasons for celebration and hope. Together we grow in knowledge and in our relationship with God.”

Father Fichter and Dolan credited strong school leadership, dedicated teachers, and staff, and supportive parents and parishioners for aiding schools in remaining strong despite the challenges of the past few years. Archdiocese schools continually look for ways to improve programs, whether by strengthening curriculum offerings and student support services or by expanding enrichment and extracurricular opportunities, they said.

The Catholic school’s focus on faith and community is why families make sacrifices to provide their children with a Catholic education. It is why those who lead, teach, and serve in Catholic schools have chosen to be part of this mission and ministry. The enduring value of Catholic schools is that they have been and will continue to be united in faith and community.

“What a gift that is! A gift that enriches not only our students but also those who are touched by the goodness that flows from this emphasis on faith and community,” they wrote. “And so, we take time to celebrate the tremendous blessing of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Newark and throughout the nation, and to thank those who embrace and support our mission.”

For more information visit www.catholicschoolsnj.org, and follow on social media.