Pope John's celebrates National Catholic Schools Week

SPARTA — From January 29 through February 4, Pope John XXIII Regional High School is observing National Catholic Schools Week with activities that reflect the theme Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. Sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association, the week is celebrated by nearly 6,500 Catholic schools nationwide. The Pope John XXIII administration, faculty, students and parents will highlight the school’s focus on faith, academic excellence, and dedication to community service.
Pope John parents will begin the week on Sunday, January 29, sharing the good news about the Catholic Academy of Sussex County at Masses in area churches. The following day, Monday, January 30, prospective students, their families, and the community are invited to join Pope John students at 10:15 a.m. for the opening Catholic Schools Week Liturgy. Pope John’s students, faculty, and staff will be recognized at special events scheduled throughout the week, and priests and sisters will visit theology classes to offer insight on their vocations and to answer students’ questions.
The key note is service for Wednesday, February 1, when each grade participates in a unique project. The eighth grade classes, in conjunction with #HashtagLunchbag, will assemble 100 lunch bags for the homeless. Freshmen will construct a prayer chain, as well as assemble “Post-It” prayers for those in need and will share specific intentions with the larger school community. Sophomores will prepare folders including personal notes of encouragement and support for the Pope John Middle School’s 7th graders, who will soon be relocating from the high school into their new building. In the same spirit, the junior class will be preparing folders with enthusiastic messages for prospective students who are visiting Pope John XXIII, and the seniors will be writing Valentine cards for distribution to veterans in local VA hospitals.
“We appreciate the support we receive from the community, and we encourage our students to give back through service projects all year,” said Principal Thomas Costello. “It’s part of our effort to provide a well-rounded education.”
Pope John XXIII Regional High School serves students in 8th through 12th grade. For more information on Pope John XXIII Regional High School or to schedule a tour, call Mrs. Anne Kaiser at 973-729-6125 x255 or visit popejohn.org.