Catholic Schools Week 2021 (by Ella Champagne '23)

4/8/2021

Ella Champagne '23

St. Francis High School recently celebrated its annual Catholic Schools Week from February 1 to February 8. Catholic Schools Week is a national celebration of Catholic education in America. At St. Francis, student government hosted various activities to celebrate the special week – a successful charity drive, Spartan Olympics, and Outta Uniform days.

St. Francis also welcomed Bishop Hicks for Mass on Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week. Bishop Hicks gave a blessing to teachers and staff who reached milestone years in teaching at the school. Bishop Hicks also explained the value of Catholic education –explaining that learning in the presence of Jesus Christ is an important gift that he received too.

As Bishop Hicks noted, a strong education combined with a faith-filled atmosphere offers great value. I interviewed three students (Joey Schlosser '21, Caelynn Kohut '21, and Owen Frausto '21) to hear their perspectives on what their Catholic education at St. Francis means to them.

What activities are you involved in at school that help you grow religiously?

Joey: I am a member of SMT (Student Ministry Team), an EM (Eucharistic Minister), I go to early morning Mass sometimes, and I helped co-found and lead Women’s Spirituality (it is on a little bit of break because of COVID). Each of these opportunities allows me to explore my faith with classmates and helps me connect and have a deeper understanding of my faith and where I stand in it.

Caelynn: I am involved with SMT as a small group leader. I am also involved as a Kairos leader this year.

Owen: I am involved in Student Ministry Team, Eucharistic Ministry, and Men’s Spirituality Group.

What are the benefits of having daily religion class?

Joey: Every day since I was in Kindergarten I have had religion every day, which has helped me form who I am. Being a Catholic means a lot to me and reflects in my daily life. While having religion in high school is a nice break during the day and a chance to breathe with the hectic schedule, it is also a nice time to grow and develop my faith with my peers and teachers.

Caelynn: Having religion class daily is something that I think is really special and can take some stress away from an otherwise busy school day. I love that religion class is a more chill part of my school day in which I can learn more about my faith and hear stories from Scripture.

Owen: Daily religion class is a nice reminder of my faith, and a lot of times it challenges me to either reimagine or come to a new understanding of my faith.

What do you enjoy most about going to a Catholic high school?

Joey: I enjoy a lot of different things at a Catholic high school. First, I enjoy the community and connection we have together strengthened by our religion and similar belief system. Second, I like our Franciscan way of life because it challenges us to think and live life in different ways. Thirdly, I like how the community is build based on the roots in faith – we are held to high standards, we are called to help, etc.

Caelynn: I know everyone describes St. Francis as a community, but it really is so true. I love going to a Catholic school because it really stresses the idea of community and allows every student to get involved and find their place.

Owen: I enjoy the fact that we are able to have deep conversations about God and religion with friends and teachers who are also invested.

These students clearly cherish their strong Catholic education. Students at St. Francis develop both religiously and academically by incorporating faith into their education each day. The Catholic education at St. Francis develops all students into good members of the school, community, and world.