By Bailey Lamascus
Grade 8

 Showing care for others is embedded in every activity at St. Joseph School in Upland. These experiences have impacted my life in countless ways. Some of these experiences include volunteering at the Special Olympics, taking care of a kinder buddy, and having the privilege of taking a senior group to breakfast.

SAN BERNARDINO—The first annual State of Catholic Schools breakfast event was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on January 31, drawing leaders from the three Catholic schools in the San Bernardino along with civic and business officials.

 “Faith, Community, Service.” These are the words of focus as we celebrated Catholic Schools Week from January 29 through February 4. Hallmarks of the educational experience for our students are “educating the head, the heart, and the hands.” We journey with our families and our students in nurturing their Catholic faith, encountering Christ through community, and witnessing that faith with multiple opportunities to serve their local church or civic community through service projects. 

By Abigail Sturdivant and Joscelyn Sanchez
Grade 7

 Pope Francis said, “God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life.” 

 As Catholic Schools Week took place January 31 - February 4, the students of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School were excited to share in the many activities as a faith family. The week was filled with celebrations of Mass, open house, community service and other observances that emphasize the value of Catholic education in the parish and community. A cornerstone of the St. Francis de Sales educational mission is for the student community to learn the importance of service to others. The students collected over 200 hundred cans of food to donate to the Consolata House Food Pantry. The lasting effects of Catholics Schools Week continue beyond the seven days of this special week. When students work together to serve others in the community they gain knowledge for how they can continue to serve others their entire lives.

 The following individuals and organizations were honored at the Annual Catholic Schools Awards Banquet on February 4 for their contributions and support of Catholic education in the Diocese.