By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

    Today marks the beginning of the week long observance of Catholic Schools Week as local institutions participate in a myriad of events as they “Celebrate Service”, in recognition of this year’s theme.

Traditionally Catholic Schools Week begins on the last Sunday in January. Many local parishes kicked-off the event by celebrating the liturgy together during Sunday masses.    

    As part of the 34th annual event, local schools have planned various activities. St. Marys Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools will gathered for a special mass this morning. SMCMS students will have the opportunity to participate in game day tomorrow and a movie day on Wednesday. In exchange for a non-perishable food item, students are permitted to sport their favorite team colors as part of a “Souper Bowl” day, which benefits the Christian Food Bank in St. Marys.

    SMCMS Student Council is hosting a “Sock Hop” Thursday afternoon where “Funny Money” prizes will be awarded for creativity and flair.

    At St. Boniface Elementary in Kersey students are encouraged to write essays on how their families serve others in their daily lives. These essays will be read over daily announcements.

    The school is aiming to collect $1,000 for it’s “Loot for the Library” contest to purchase an electronic catalog for use by students. The system incorporates a computer scanner which tracks books checked out of the library. It can also be used to update St. Boniface’s library and and have it coincide with other schools in the area. Each class collecting $100 or more will receive a pizza party.

    Additional SB activities include visits from local service personnel such as firemen, EMT’s and other township employees, casual dress days, games, snacks and spirit day. In honoring the nation, students can wear red, white and blue and will construct valentine’s for the Letters From Home program. As part of vocation day April Cush will present a program about mission work she participated in during a visit to the Dominican Republic. On Friday students are inviting their grandparents to school where they will attend a morning prayer service followed by lunch.

    The Elk County Catholic Community celebrated a special mass this morning as part of CSW. All week long the school is hosting a special collection for the Christian Food Bank. On Wednesday both ECC and SMCMS students will embark on a ski trip to Holiday Valley. A combined pep rally and spirit dress day with SMCMS will conclude events on Friday.

    Celebrations commemorating Catholic Schools Week have become a tradition since its beginning in 1974 as a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Catholic Conference.

    Throughout the years various themes have highlighted the characteristics of education in the Catholic School system. This year’s theme calls for outreach and action in response to needs apparent in the local and global community. Catholic schools often incorporate service projects into the curriculum, teaching students the value of helping others as an expression of faith and good citizenship

    During the 2007-08 school year, 2.32 million students nationwide were enrolled in Catholic schools, as compared to the 2.65 million enrolled in 1996-97, according to the National Catholic Educational Association.

    As a member of the Diocese of Erie, Elk County is home to five Catholic schools including St. Marys Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools, St. Boniface Elementary in Kersey, St. Leo’s Elementary in Ridgway and Elk County Catholic High School in St. Marys.

    The Diocese of Erie encompasses 13 counties in northwestern PA. It’s parishes and institutions operate 33 elementary, two middle and seven secondary schools with a total enrollment of nearly 10,000 students. Each Catholic school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and are members of the National Catholic Education Association.

    Diocesan schools include; elementary and middle schools - St. Marys Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools, St. Boniface Elementary in Kersey, St. Leo’s in Ridgway, DuBois Central Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools, Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral Center, Holy Family School, St. Boniface, St. George, St. Gregory, St. James, St. John-Holy Rosary East Side School, St. Luke, St. Thomas, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady’s Christian School and Villa Maria Elementary, all located in Erie.

    Additional elementary school include Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph Schools in Clarion County, Mgsr. Geno Monti, Notre Dame, St. Michael  and St. Joseph Schools in Mercer County, Seton Catholic School in Crawford County, Ss. Cosmas and Damian School in Jefferson County, St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School, McKean County, St. Francis School in Clearfield County, St. Joseph School in Warren County, St. Patrick and St. Stephen Schools in Venango County. Diocesan high schools are Elk County Catholic, DuBois Central Catholic. Kennedy Catholic, Venango Catholic and Villa Maria Academy, Mercyhurst Preparatory, Cathedral Preparatory, all in Erie as well as Gannon University and Mercyhurst College.