Diocese of Laredo To Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jan 22, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
With a full week of activities ranging from academic, artistic and talent to the deeply spiritual, the seven Catholic schools in the Diocese of Laredo will celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2011, from January 30 to February 4, with most of the events occurring on the schools campuses. The celebration kicks off on Sunday, January 30 at 3:00 p.m. at San Augustin Cathedral with all of the Catholic schools participating in a Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop James A. Tamayo. The next day, City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas will proclaim the week Catholic Schools Week on Monday, January 31, at 10:10 a.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Catholic schools have a very long and rich history in the communities of Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas, which is part of the Diocese of Laredo in Texas. Today, there are six Catholic schools in operation in Laredo:
Our Lady of Refuge School in Eagle Pass was established in 1883 by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word
Our Lady of Guadalupe School was constructed in 1904 by the Ursulines.
St. Peter’s Memorial School was founded in 1925, also by the Sisters of Ursulines.
The Sisters of Divine Providence founded St. Augustine School in 1927.
The Salesian Sisters opened Mary Help of Christians in 1935.
Blessed Sacrament School was founded in 1964.
For many parents, the decision to send their children to a Catholic school is a deeply personal one, citing faith-formation, high-academic standards, values-added education and a safe-school environment as reasons for electing a private Catholic education. Today, while the religious on campus are fewer, the laity, in conjunction with the Diocese and several parishes work together in the spiritual formation of the students and their families. In Laredo, there are over 2,200 students receiving a Catholic education.
The schools have served as a pastoral instrument of the Catholic Church, responding to the needs of the children as whole persons, nurturing their intellectual, physical, cultural, spiritual and moral foundation. The schools’ philosophies reflect the Catholic character, to follow Jesus Christ’s example and to live as he did. The students’ view of the world is impacted by a Christian view in fellowship and in social justice. In Catholic schools, students and teachers are drawn to proclaim the Gospel message, to unite in worship, to respond to the needs of the community and to serve all people through the sharing of spiritual and temporal gifts.
Academically speaking, students who are enrolled in Catholic schools tend to fare much better than their peers enrolled in public or other private schools. Recent national studies have shown that a majority of students in private schools, particularly private Catholic schools, fare better on national tests than students in public schools or even other private schools, including higher average scores in reading, mathematics, science, and writing, as well as a 99% graduation rate for students in Catholic schools, and 97% of students in Catholic schools going on to college.
Laredoans are invited to not only applaud the accomplishments of Catholic schools, administrators, teachers and students, but also to find out more about they can offer their children by visiting the schools during the week of January 31 – February 4. Contact each school to find out when the school is hosting their Open House celebration during that week.
Finally, the annual Catholic School Talent Show will be the grand culmination of the week; that event takes place on Friday, February 4 at 6 PM at the Laredo Civic Center.
For more information about enrolling your child in one of the six Catholic schools in the Diocese of Laredo, please contact Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, superintendent of Catholic Schools at the Catholic Schools Office at 727-2140.
