With a theme of Catholic Schools Light the Way, thousands of Catholic elementary, middle and high schools across the country will be celebrating Catholic education Jan. 27 through Feb. 2. The Catholic schools in Southeast Texas will also be celebrating.
A local highlight of the week is the Rainbow Mass celebrated by Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, at 10 a.m. Jan. 30 at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica where students and faculty representing the Catholic schools come together to celebrate not only the diversity in the schools but also the common pursuit of faith in education.
The Catholic schools in the Beaumont Diocese are Msgr. Kelly High School, St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, St. Anne, Our Mother of Mercy in Beaumont; St. Catherine of Siena in Port Arthur; and St. Mary in Orange.
Each of the Catholic schools in the Beaumont has a week of activities celebrating how Catholic schools light the way. (A complete schedule for each school can be found on Page 12.)
The 2008 theme of Catholic Schools Light the Way highlights the mission of Catholic schools to provide a faith-based ecucation that supports the whole child academically and spiritually and prepares students for futre success.
“As a result of the excellent, multifaceted education they are receiving today, our students will ‘light the way’ to a brighter future though their leadership in our communities, government, businesses and families,” said Dr. Karen M. Ristau, presend of the National Catholic Educational Association.
Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the NCEA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School,
5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont
(409) 866-2351
Monday – Early dismissal, student council members will deliver a special “thank you” to all staff at the Catholic Pastoral Center.
Tuesday – Administration/Staff/Teacher Appreciation Day. A special luncheon sponsored by the Home and School Association will be served to show appreciation for the administration, staff and teachers.
Wednesday – Rainbow Mass at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica.
Thursday – Parent/Guardian Appreciation Day.
Friday – Student Appreciation Day.
Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School
3360 Sarah St., Beaumont
(409) 842-5534
Monday – Open house from 8 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday – 100th day of school celebrated by 100 minutes of games.
Wednesday – Rainbow Mass at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica.
Thursday – Students will present their poems with the theme “Why We Love Our School.”
Friday – Priest Appreciation Day. Students will make cards to send to their priests.
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School
850 Forsythe, Beaumont
(409) 832-3486
Monday – Blue & Gold Day with a Black History Month Program followed by a noon dismissal and a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon- 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Theme day of “football” as well as the Science Fair.
Wednesday – Rainbow Mass at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica (seventh & eighth grades will attend). Student Appreciation Day where after lunch in the cafeteria students can make their own ice cream sundaes.
Thursday – St. Anthony All School Appreciation Day. Appreciation for bishop, priests, students, parents, grandparents, superintendent, principal, teachers, and support staff.
Friday – Spirit Day. Students are encouraged to wear their St. Anthony t-shirts to show their school spirit.
St. Anne Catholic School
375 N. 11th St., Beaumont
(409) 832-5939
Monday – St. Anne T-shirt and Jeans Day. Texas Bluebonnet Voting Party for qualifying third to sixth graders during recess.
Tuesday – Luncheon for clergy, Science Fair judging.
Wednesday – Rainbow Mass at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Science Fair projects open for viewing.
Thursday – Open house 9-11 a.m.
Friday – Feast Day: Presentation of the Lord, all school Mass followed by noon dismissal.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
3840 Woodrow Drive, Port Arthur
(409) 962-3011
Monday – School-wide spelling bee, Teacher Appreciation Day, early dismissal at noon.
Tuesday – Priest Appreciation Day, all priests from the vicariate are invited to come and eat lunch with the students.
Wednesday – Rainbow Mass at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica.
Thursday – Open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday – Student Appreciation Day. Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, will celebrate morning Mass for the students.
St. Mary Catholic School
2600 Bob Hall Road, Orange
(409) 883-8913
Monday – Open House 10-11 a.m., early dismissal.
Tuesday – 100th Day celebration and service projects, all school Mass.
Wednesday – Rainbow Mass at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, pre-kindergarten PJ Pancake Day, Students take over with student taught lessons.
Thursday – Pep Rally, Teacher Recognition Day, staff and volunteer appreciation luncheon, Teacher Treasure Hunt.
Friday – Grandparents Day program and lunch 10 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
