Later this month, Mount Carmel School will join Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota and Catholic schools across the nation in celebrating Catholic Schools Week or CSW 2018.
This year’s CSW theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed” which encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country. As the National Catholic Educational Association noted in announcing the new theme, “Not only are Catholic schools teaching students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in our communities, we as educators are growing with them.” The association added, “These shared qualities are what make Catholic schools work and what make them succeed.”
Mount Carmel School president Galvin Deleon Guerrero is excited about the new theme and the weeklong celebration. “For 65 years, our school has definitely helped mold students who learn, serve, lead, and succeed.” Referring to the school’s alumni, who are called AlumKnights after the school’s mascot, Deleon Guerrero added, “At the local, regional, and even national levels, our AlumKnights have embraced this year’s theme as successful leaders who serve their communities in business, government, and non-profits.”
As it joins the rest of the nation, Mount Carmel School has prepared a full week of events that highlight a different aspect of the school each day. On Sunday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m., the focus will be on “Catholic Schools in our Parishes” as MCS students converge on Mount Carmel Cathedral to kick off CSW 2018 with a Eucharistic Celebration. On Monday, the focus shifts to “Catholic Schools in our Community” as MCS junior high and high school students engage in different activities that support community services. Elementary school students will make banners expressing their appreciation for the school’s many donors and supporters. Tuesday will be dedicated to “Catholic Schools in our Faculty and Staff.” On that day, MCS will hold an appreciation program for faculty and staff, in which the 2018 Teacher of the Year will be announced.
On Wednesday, MCS will celebrate “Catholic Schools in our Vocations” with a Eucharistic Celebration, which will be followed by a vocations talk and other activities honoring vocations. MCS will shift its attention on Thursday to the rest of the country with “Catholic Schools in our Nation” as students honor the many ways that volunteer groups have contributed. Friday morning’s emphasis will be on “Catholic Schools in our Students” with MCS students participating in a road-side waving in the morning, followed by field activities and demonstrations. Friday night will highlight “Catholic Schools in our Families” with the school’s signature CSW event, Family Night. Held on the school grounds beginning at 6 p.m., Family Night will feature dinner, entertainment, and the presentation of the Parents of the Year awards.
The school’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week will conclude with the “Night with the Knights” AlumKnight fundraising banquet on Saturday. The “Night with the Knights” will feature a music video montage of the school’s history, raffle prizes, and entertainment. The event will also include the announcement of the 2018 AlumKnight of the Year. Tickets for the Night with the Knights are $50 each and can be purchased at the school’s Business Office or from AlumKnights. For more information, call 234-6184 or email Priscilla Dela Cruz at presdelacruz@gmail.com.
The celebration of Catholic Schools Week began as an annual event in 1974. Catholic Schools Week and the National Marketing Campaign are joint projects of the National Catholic Educational Association, the world’s largest private professional education association, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the national public policy organization of U.S. bishops.
