ESFDB, MCS celebrate Catholic Schools Week

Gov. Eloy Inos signed Tuesday a proclamation declaring Jan. 27 to Feb. 1 as Catholic School’s Week for both Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota and Mount Carmel School on Saipan.

“Mount Carmel School and Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja have provided outstanding education to their students, thus contributing to the welfare of the CNMI,” the proclamation partly reads.

MCS president Galvin Deleon Guerrero said this year’s theme—Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service—“speaks to the holistic mission of all Catholic schools.”

As Saipan’s only Catholic educational Institution, Mount Carmel School strives to educate the whole child academically, morally, socially, and spiritually, Guerrero added.

“This is not to diminish the contributions of other schools, but when you come to a school where you can be open about your faith, it can be an essential part of who we are and what we do.”

MCS, established in 1952, and ESFDB, established in 1989, will host a variety of events starting next Sunday for Catholic School’s Week.

At Mount Carmel on Saipan, a kickoff Mass will be held on Sunday at the Mount Carmel Cathedral at 9am. On Monday students will volunteer at Head Start centers around the island to “serve their community.” The school’s teacher and staff of the year will be announced on Tuesday and on Wednesday the school will focus on the topic of vocation and will host a Quiz Bowl. Students will recognize on Thursday the men and women serving the country and on Friday a roadside waving will be held, dedicated to the students’ families. The parents of the year will also be announced during Family Fun Night that day.

The annual “Night With the Knights” event will close the weeklong celebration and will also crown the AlumKnight of the Year.

“Catholic School’s Week has always been a fun and exciting event,” said one MCS student. “We get to have fun and celebrate our faith in Christ.”

Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota will hold similar events next week as well.

Gov. Eloy Inos also signed on Tuesday House Local Bill 18-29 that renames Hagoi Rd. to “Knight Street.” The bill was co-authored by Precinct 2 Reps. Ralph Demapan and John Paul Sablan and is now Saipan Local Law 18-10.

“It not only speaks to the school but it speaks to what the school stands for when we embrace the Knight as our mascot,” Guerrero said. “Knighthood is about having character and integrity and it is something that transcends MCS.”

Fr. Ryan Jimenez, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, echoed Guerrero. “I feel like part of my priesthood is really helping out with schools and believing in the value of Catholic education.”