Catholic Schools Week of 2024 was a lively celebration throughout the Archdiocese. The week was filled with masses, prayer services, assemblies, parades, and visits by exciting guest speakers, all of which showcased the dedication of Catholic schools to the holistic development of their students and community engagement. Spiritual reflection and joyful festivities were blended as school and parish communities throughout Hudson, Essex, Bergen, and Union counties welcomed families for concerts, plays, trivia bowls, dress-downs, and parties.
Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of Catholic schools observed across the nation during the last week of January serves as a testament to the unique role these institutions play in shaping minds and fostering a community of shared values.
The following photos highlight how our Catholic schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week:
Celebrating the parish community
Holy Trinity School in Westfield celebrated Catholic Schools Week with multiple Masses and prayer services. For a social service project, students packed over 150 lunches for Bridges Outreach, a social services organization in Summit.At St. Elizabeth School in Wyckoff, the school community collaborated on a religious cross photo collage that was displayed at the school-wide Catholic Schools Week prayer service.The school community at Koinonia Academy in Plainfield kicked off Catholic Schools Week with a school-wide Mass, celebrated by Father Sebastian Maria Kajko, C.F.R.Students gathered for a school-wide Mass to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week at Visitation Academy in Paramus.Students from St. John’s Academy in Hillsdale present the gifts at a school-wide Mass during Catholic Schools Week.
Celebrating the community
The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes held a special Mass to celebrate Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin’s 7th anniversary as bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark. In the prayer of the faithful, the students called upon Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to continually bless Cardinal Tobin with grace and strength.Students and faculty members at Christ the Teacher School in Fort Lee created thank-you cards for local firefighters. Students in the pre-k learned “The Firefighter Song” as a way to celebrate the community during Catholic Schools Week.Amidst other celebrations during Catholic Schools Week, including a dress-down day, students at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains participated in a food drive to benefit the local community.
Celebrating the students
Students at Saint Michael School in Newark celebrated Catholic Schools Week with many festivities, including an entire day of team-building exercises and educational games.Students at St. John’s Academy in Hillsdale danced the afternoon away at a Hula Dance Party during Catholic Schools Week.Students at Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair put on a wax museum of historical, cultural, and religious figures for family and friends as part of Catholic Schools Week celebrations.Students at St. Leo’s School in Elmwood Park celebrated with their school mascot, the Lion, during Catholic Schools Week.At Hoboken Catholic Academy in Hoboken, older students partnered with younger students during Catholic Schools Week to read together.Students at Our Lady of Czestochowa School in Jersey City, students celebrated Spirit Week during Catholic Schools Week. Dr. Adele Ellis, the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools at the Archdiocese of Newark, visited the new preschool class at Saint Joseph School in Oradell.
Celebrating the nation
Students at St. John’s Academy in Hillsdale dressed in red, white, and blue to show their patriotism, and made Valentines for veterans, thanking them for their service.Students in the 4th and 6th grades at Our Lady of Czestochowa School in Jersey City visited the City Hall for a tour and a mock city council session as part of Catholic Schools Week celebrations, focusing on empowering students to be engaged citizens.
Celebrating faculty, staff, and volunteers
During Catholic Schools Week, students at Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle dressed like teachers, and teachers dressed like students on a dress-down day.At St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains students celebrated their teachers by delivering heart-shaped balloons to them during Catholic Schools Week.Saint John’s Academy in Hillsdale staff and faculty were celebrated with refreshments during Catholic Schools Week.
Celebrating vocations
Saint Theresa School in Kenilworth celebrated Catholic Schools Week by inviting sisters to come play and speak with students about vocations.At Visitation Academy in Paramus, sisters were invited to speak about vocations to students during Catholic Schools Week.Mary McElroy, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools, visited the 8th grade at St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains. The students wrote thank you cards to the priests, deacons, and clergy in their local communities as a way to celebrate vocations.At St. Leo School in Elmwood Park, police officers visited the school to talk with students about secular vocations.
Celebrating family
Parents and family members were invited to Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights to talk to students about their professions and enjoy a “Special Doughnuts with Grown Ups” breakfast, where the students celebrated their parents and loved ones.Families gathered at the open house at the Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock.
