Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Saipan — In a ceremony filled with prayer and community spirit, the Honorable David M. Apatang, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, officially designated January 25 to January 30, 2026, as Catholic Schools Week.
This year’s observance carries the profound national theme: “Catholic Schools: United in Faith & Community.” The proclamation serves as a tribute to the spiritual foundation and academic excellence that define the Catholic educational experience in the Northern Mariana Islands.
A Ceremony of Faith and Leadership
The program at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral opened with a moving prayer by His Excellency, Most Rev. Romeo D. Convocar, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. Following the invocation, the Mount Carmel School (MCS) STUCO Officers took the podium to read the formal Proclamation, highlighting the leadership and poise of the students who benefit from this faith-based education.
The Official Proclamation
Invoking the authority vested in him by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, Governor Apatang signed the document on January 23, 2026. The text of the proclamation states:
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DAVID M. APATANG, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands… do hereby proclaim January 25 – January 30, 2026 as CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK.”
The Governor’s declaration specifically recognizes the parents who choose Catholic education for their children and honors the “unwavering commitment” of the teachers, administrators, and staff who serve the youth of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. Governor Apatang encouraged the faithful to observe the week in ways that promote an appreciation for the “enduring values Catholic education provides—values that strengthen both our children and our wider community.”
Gratitude and Partnership
After signing the Proclamation, Governor Apatang expressed his sincere appreciation to the MCS Administration, faculty, staff, students, and parents for their continued dedication. In response, MCS President John Blanco delivered a message of appreciation, thanking the Governor and the administration for recognizing the vital partnership between the Church, the school, and the government in nurturing the next generation of leaders.
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