By Michelle Priar, Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Editor’s Note: This article was published before the Diocese of Evansville Catholic Schools closed Jan. 26-30 of Catholic Schools Week due to ongoing inclement weather and road conditions.
Students and staff in our Catholic schools will be joining thousands of others as we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week next week, running from Jan. 25-30. It’s a time of celebration and thanksgiving as we recognize the many gifts that a Catholic school provides to families and our community. We look forward to this annual event every year as we not only participate in fun activities but also take time to reflect on how Catholic schools are cornerstones for spiritual formation, academic rigor and character development.
Many of you know that each year, the Catholic Schools Office, along with administrators from our 26 schools, select a theme that we incorporate throughout the school year. When the late Pope Francis announced that the theme for the Jubilee Year 2025 would be Pilgrims of Hope, we thought it would be a unique opportunity to incorporate that into our school theme. We were inspired by our Holy Father’s words about the enduring power of hope and how he urged the faithful to seek holiness and embrace Christ’s peace. So, it seemed fitting for our 2025-2026 school year theme to be Building a Future of Hope.
This year, educators across our diocese have been a little more mindful and intentional about recognizing the importance of instilling a sense of hope in our young people. It’s an extremely valuable gift that we can give them. In fact, “Reasonable Hope,” written by Dr. Kaethe Weingarten, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Harvard School of Medicine, has conducted research that shows that having a sense of hope can truly be transformative and can change the trajectory of a person’s life in a very positive way.
I continue to be so inspired by the dedication and commitment of the faculty and staff in schools across our diocese as they have empowered students to be hopeful about their future. Likewise, I continue to be inspired by our students. By their actions, they give me hope for my future. In them I see their desire to learn more about their faith, grow closer to God and understand how they are called to something greater; how they value and respect human life and dignity and stand up for what they believe is right; how they are aware of the larger world around them and want to contribute to making their communities a little better; and when thinking about career opportunities they want a job that is meaningful and serves the greater good. Building a future of hope for our young people is a gift we can give to our students, but wow, what a gift we receive from them in return!
Next week, schools throughout our diocese will be hosting a variety of events that bring together students, families and parish communities. Liturgical celebrations, open houses, themed dress days and spirit assemblies are all ways schools will be finding fun ways to celebrate in the coming days. If you have a child enrolled in one of our Catholic schools, check out your school’s schedule of events. If you don’t currently have a child enrolled with us but want to learn more, contact the principal at a local Catholic school, visit https://www.evdio.org/schools-information.html or https://evdiocatholicschools.org/, or stop by a school from 5-7 p.m. local time on Jan. 29. Each school will be hosting a “Come and See” evening where you can speak directly with a school administrator. Come, see and help us celebrate Catholic schools!
As we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, let us express our gratitude to the teachers, staff and administrators who work tirelessly to nurture and inspire the next generation. Let us also celebrate the students who strive for excellence and the families who support them in their educational journey. May this week serve as a reminder of the vital role Catholic schools play in building a future of hope!