All 10 schools in the diocese will celebrate their parishes, communities, families, and more in themed days
By Dan McWilliams
All eight elementary and both high schools in the Diocese of Knoxville will be celebrating the 51st annual Catholic Schools week, which runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1.
The National Catholic Educational Association sponsors CSW as well as a similar Discover Catholic Schools Week in November.
The theme for CSW for 2023-26 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
CSW is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, and it starts on the last Sunday in January and ends the following Saturday.
Schools typically observe the week with Masses, assemblies, events, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members to join the celebration of what makes Catholic schools stellar.
The seventh annual “Many Gifts, One Nation” —a day of giving for Catholic schools—will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29, during CSW.
Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints, Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community.
Each of the seven days in CSW has its own theme. For Sunday, it’s “Celebrating Your Parish,” while Monday is a day for “Celebrating Your Community.” From Tuesday through Thursday, the days celebrate students, the nation, and vocations, respectively. Friday is a day to celebrate faculty, staff, and volunteers, and Saturday is a celebration of families.
Celebrating parishes may include devoting a Mass to Catholic education, or starting CSW by inviting parishioners and community members to parish-centered events and school open houses to highlight outstanding academic programs, religious education, and service opportunities. Students and teachers may take part in Sunday Mass by proclaiming the readings or speaking.
In celebrating their community, students demonstrate the values and faith they gain through their Catholic education and learn how to make the world a better place. On that Monday of CSW, students may donate educational materials for students in underserved communities, host an awards assembly recognizing students and teachers who have demonstrated outstanding community service, or put together care packages to send to active-duty military.
Schools can celebrate students during CSW by planning activities that are enjoyable and meaningful for them and that recognize their accomplishments. They encourage students to reflect on the benefits of Catholic education and how, by learning, serving, and leading, they will succeed throughout their lives. Schools can line the halls with student work emphasizing the themes of CSW or have a door-decorating contest between classrooms. They may also schedule times for older students to read aloud or partner on special projects with younger students.
On “Celebrating the Nation” day, students, families, educators, and other Catholic school supporters communicate the value of Catholic education to government leaders—local, state, and national. Schools may engage alumni from around the nation to participate in “Many Gifts, One Nation.” They share information with leaders on the significant contributions Catholic schools make to the nation and their role in preparing students to be good citizens. They pray for the nation and recognize all those who serve.
Celebrating vocations may focus on the themes of learning, serving, and leading. Catholic schools prepare children to succeed by using their God-given talents to the fullest throughout their lives. On that Thursday, students may write letters of thanks to the priests, deacons, Sisters, and Brothers both past and present who have been involved in local schools and parishes. Priests may also be invited to come concelebrate a school Mass. Schools may host a career day where local professionals—both religious and non- religious—can share how their faith guides them in their work.
To celebrate teachers, staff, and volunteers, students may hang a sign on a classroom door to recognize each teacher personally, host a breakfast or offer a traveling “coffee cart” for teachers and administrators, hold an assembly to recognize teachers and volunteers for their dedication and hard work, and invite parents and community members to the school to teach students practical life skills.
The final day of CSW is devoted to celebrating families, who play a vital role in Catholic education by sending their children to Catholic schools as well as instilling values and expectations for academic excellence in their children at home. The role of families as partners in Catholic education is acknowledged and their contributions to the success of Catholic schools celebrated on the last day of CSW and all year long.
Students may celebrate the day by hosting classroom visits for families and friends, organizing a family picnic or potluck, or creating a large-scale family tree celebrating all the families in the school, with a spiritual tree of baptisms, marriages, and ordinations—including the names of the parishes where family members received these sacraments.
For more information regarding the diocese’s Catholic schools, visit dioknox.org/schools. For details on the daily themes of Catholic Schools Week and much more, visit ncea.org/csw.