Catholic Schools Week: A Time to Celebrate the Gifts and Blessings of Catholic Education

Catholic schools are indeed a gift. They are a place where students are nurtured — not just in reading, writing, and math, but also in their faith. It’s a joy to take time to celebrate the gift of Catholic education, just as our Holy Family Classical School students, faculty, and staff did during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 30 through Feb. 5.

Holy Family Headmaster Marcel Brown, Ph.D., came to Holy Family Classical School about two years ago. He was especially pleased to celebrate the students and school this year after the COVID interruptions during the 2020-21 school year.

“I loved seeing everybody excited to be involved in the mission of our school,” he says.

Dr. Brown notes the week’s closeness to the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, on Jan. 28, as St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings and teachings are paramount to education. Dr. Brown also appreciates that there is a whole week to celebrate Catholic schools, the same way as the liturgical year includes eight days for celebrating Christmas and Easter.

Two years ago, Holy Family Classical School became a school grounded in Classical Education. This is a different approach to education than what we are accustomed to.

“In Classical Education, everything we do reaches back to the beginning of known history,” he says. “We start by going back to the beginning and marching to the present.”

Since making the change to Classical Education, the school has enrolled about 100 students. Holy Family Classical School is also grounded in the liberal arts.

“There’s really been a boom in enrollment,” Dr. Brown says. “People are excited about what we have to offer at the school.”

Our Catholic Schools Week celebrations kicked off on Jan. 29 with an open house at the school. It was an opportunity for anyone in the community to see the school and learn more about the curriculum.

Everyone at the school enjoyed the chance to set aside some of the normal weekly activities and celebrate together. The week included people and groups to honor each day, including teachers, volunteers and staff, families, vocations, the nation, the parish, the community, and students. Holy Family students honored the nation by writing letters to local leaders and elected officials, urging them to allow the voice of God to speak to them in all the decisions they make for the common good.

On Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week, which fell on Candlemas, Bishop David Konderla celebrated Mass at the Cathedral where there was an abundance of candles, including a blessed candle to be sent home with each family. Wednesday also included a coffee and donut hour for the priests, staff, faculty, and parents who wanted to join.

To celebrate the students, each child was treated to an extra recess and a surprise visit from a candy truck. Students were given tickets to pick out treats, and they headed to their classrooms to enjoy them.

“We want to let the students know we love them, and we appreciate them,” Dr. Brown says.

On Friday, the teachers were honored with a lobster bisque luncheon in the Cathedral basement. The Martin Guild parent group organized the meal.

“There is a saying from Socrates, ‘No enforced study abides in the soul,’” Dr. Brown says. “Here, we aim for education to not be a boring, awful chore.” Instead, Holy Family Classical School aims to instill a love of Christ and a desire to pursue goodness, truth, and beauty in all things.

Open enrollment at Holy Family Classical School began on Feb. 1. The admissions process includes an initial visit, a shadow day for the student, a parent questionnaire and a meeting with Dr. Marcel Brown. Visit www.holyfamilyclassicalschool.org/hfcs for more info.