At Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Catholic Schools Week is a fundamental time for students and teachers to come together to celebrate this tradition, long held in Catholic schools around the world. Catholic Schools Week is an annual week-long celebration of Catholic education, which runs from the last Sunday in January through the following Saturday. The week focuses on academics, service to the community, and faith. The STA community recognizes the spiritual and moral growth of students who receive a Catholic education.

Throughout the week at STA, students and faculty participate in many activities that involve Catholic education. On Monday, Campus Ministry and Leadership classes decorated each classroom door around the school with a message that best represents the value of Catholic education. Posters around the school depict role models that have had a significant impact on Catholic education. An example of this is Saint Carlo Acutis, a faithful Catholic who made a website reporting Eucharistic miracles around the world to help people believe in the real presence of the Eucharist. Mrs. Jones’ class made hearts out of paper that said a prayer for a variety of different Catholic schools in Broward and Miami Dade.

On Wednesday, STA held a mass that talked about the importance of Catholic education and how it came to be. Mr. Whitaker, a chemistry teacher at STA said, “We held a special mass to show appreciation for Catholic education. Students decorated the hallway doors with symbols reminding us of our beautiful religion.”Wednesday’s mass reflected the compassion that teachers at STA have for their students and the time and effort they put into teaching students a prayerful life.

Lauren Borriello, a junior at STA said, “Going to a Catholic school means being a well rounded person. I feel more safe with the community that I have around me. Mrs. Jones’ religion class helped me grow in faith on a deeper level.” Overall, Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate what makes Catholic schools special. It reminds students that their education is not only about academics, but also about serving others, building a well rounded community of strong individuals, and growing faith in God. Denis Wallace, another junior, said, “Going to a Catholic school feels like a comfortable environment that has played a role in guiding my faith. It feels like a close community that feels like family. I feel a connection from my childhood in my present life today.”