United in Faith and Community: Celebrating Catholic Schools Week at Saint John School

Catholic Schools Week is always a highlight of the year at Saint John School, and this year’s theme—United in Faith and Community—was beautifully lived out in every corner of our campus. The week began on Sunday with our students joyfully hosting the 9:00 a.m. parish Mass, serving as lectors from various grade levels and modeling leadership rooted in faith. As we celebrated “Our Parish” on Sunday, the close relationship between Saint John School and Saint John the Evangelist Parish was on full display- one faith community, walking together.

On Monday morning, we officially kicked off Catholic Schools Week with a schoolwide assembly celebrating our students. The excitement was contagious as students arrived in free dress and launched into a weeklong scavenger hunt, solving clues hidden throughout campus. Tuesday invited students to celebrate their vocations by dressing as what they hope to be when they grow up. From veterinarians and teachers to athletes, our students joyfully reflected on the many ways God may be calling them to use their gifts in the future. Throughout the week, families also enjoyed the Ignatius Book Fair, with proceeds supporting the purchase of new books for our school library.

Wednesday was dedicated to celebrating our wider community. Students generously donated canned food to support our parish food pantry and joined in a spirited “SOUP-er Bowl” vote, predicting which team would win the big game while learning about service and outreach. On Thursday, we celebrated our nation with a flag-raising ceremony hosted by a Cub Scout group made up of our 3rd and 4th grade students (I need to check on this). We were honored to welcome veterans and active-duty military members into our classrooms, where they shared their experiences and spoke with students about service, sacrifice, and leadership.

The week culminated in one of our most cherished traditions—Grandparents and Grandfriends Day. We welcomed more than 400 grandparents and special guests to campus, where students sang patriotic songs, proudly shared their classroom work, and attended Mass together with their families and parish community. It was a joyful, faith-filled celebration of the generations that shape and support our students.

Catholic Schools Week at Saint John School was a beautiful reminder of who we are: a community rooted in faith, strengthened by relationships, and united in our mission to educate the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. It truly was a wonderful week, united in faith and community.