From Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, Catholic schools in the Diocese celebrated National Catholic Schools Week, an annual tradition that recognizes the importance of Catholic education in the United States. This year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week was “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”
More California students experienced Catholic Schools Week this year, as Catholic school enrollment surged around the state. The California Department of Education reported that private schools in California saw an overall increase of 20,000 students (approximately four percent) this school year because of the public school closures.
At the diocesan level, there was a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Alberto Rojas to kick off Catholic Schools Week on Jan. 31. The Mass was celebrated in the Diocesan Pastoral Chapel and livestreamed to the Catholic schools. Each school further celebrated Catholic Schools Week with special events and activities.