Catholic Schools Week celebrates Catholic education in the CNMI

  Apostolic administrator Ryan P. Jimenez proclaimed the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa and called on the community to help celebrate the importance of these institutions that contribute to the well-being of students in the CNMI and across the nation.

Student representatives in different grade levels at Mount Carmel School, the only Catholic school on island, and school president Margaret C. Dela Cruz witnessed Jimenez as he signed the proclamation at the Mount Carmel Cathedral Social Hall yesterday.

Besides Mount Carmel School, the Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota, and St. Joseph Catholic School on Tinian are also covered by the proclamation.

“Mount Carmel School, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja, and St. Joseph Catholic School train and produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character and moral development,” stated the proclamation read by student council president Dionne Camacho.

Camacho said she and her fellow students at Mount Carmel School are all excited and looking forward to the weeklong celebration that helps strengthen their faith. “It helps us appreciate things around us more,” she added.

The annual event also recognizes the sacrifices of parents who continue to choose to send their children to Catholic schools and acknowledge the commitment of teachers, administrators, and other personnel at these institutions.

“I urge the faithful of the diocese to participate in observance of this week in appropriate ways that will help instill an awareness and appreciation of the values that Catholic education instills in our children, which enhance the quality of life for all our people,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez, in an interview, said he likes this year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” as it highlights the three pillars of Catholic education. According to him, Catholic students do not just learn about religion and theology or are encouraged to excel academically but also to develop their “spirituality and a personal relationship with God.”

“What goes with that is really the formation of the person,” Jimenez told Saipan Tribune. “I’m hoping that after leaving [Catholic schools], students are well equipped that they can do well on their own wherever you are and without this defined structure.”

The Catholic Schools Week celebration will begin with a Mass on Sunday, followed by a series of activities the whole week.

“This is a once-a-year celebration that we share with the community at large, that’s why we always start it with a regular Sunday Mass so the people can join us in prayer,” he added.