Rota school kicks off Catholic Schools Week

Sixth to 8th grade students pose in front of the Catholic Schools Week theme poster. The poster was displayed at the San Francisco de Borja Church during the kickoff Mass last Sunday. (Contributed Photo)

Luta’s Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja joined Mount Carmel School, Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development Center, and other Catholic schools around the country to kick off National Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, Jan. 25, to observe the weeklong celebration of Christ-centered, faith-based education.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” It seeks to highlight the important academic, faith-building and community contributions provided by a Catholic education.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of the week, established in 1974 to recognize Catholic education as a great gift to the church.

“Each year, with every celebration of Catholic Schools Week, we have the opportunity to reflect on the tremendous value of a Catholic education,” said administrator/principal Carmen H. Atalig. “We particularly express our gratitude for the great support from families, benefactors and donors, the alumni, our parishes, our diocese, and the Luta community for their commitment to our Catholic schools.”

“Catholic schools are a vital aspect of the church’s mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is an important aspect of our own teaching mission,” said ESFDB board chair Edward Maratita Jr. “Pope Francis has reminded us that the new evangelization is not exactly about what we do and what programs we adopt. Rather it is about what God is doing, the graces we are being blessed with, and the Spirit that is always being poured out over our ministry.”

“At the same time, we cannot forget, through the education and faith formation of children and youth, our Catholic schools are part of a solution to support families and to build productive lives for future generations,” added Maratita.

During Catholic Schools Week, some students share their thoughts about what attending Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja means to them:
• “I want to learn about God.”—Kindergarten student Damian “J” H. Atalig
• “Attending ESFDB taught me words of God and live with it. My school taught me how to take care of God’s creation and to be more responsible and productive son of God.”—3rd Grader Brylle Reyel
• “My ESFDB education will help me in the future because I am learning to be a hard worker and a good student. I have also learned to love God and other people.  I know God loves us too.”—7th Grader Aneshia Reyes
• “I like ESFDB because we love one another just the way God does.”—7th Grader Marjorie Banaag
• “I’m thankful for ESFDB because it is a Catholic school. ESFDB teaches me faith, knowledge, and service. I learn faith by going to church or learning about God and all the saints. I learn knowledge by listening, learning, and following directions. I also learn service by helping my parents, elders, teachers, the church, and the community.”—8th Grader Tyra Reese Calvo

Here’s a look at Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja’s schedule of events during Catholic Schools Week: Sunday: Kickoff day/Mass at 4pm; Monday: Face Painting Day; Tuesday: Mismatch Day; Wednesday: Visiting the Sick/Man’Amko; Thursday: Career Day; and Friday: Culmination/Family Night/Potluck Dinner.

This year’s ESFDB Catholic Schools Week celebration is spearheaded by Florinda M. Chavez, class adviser for the first to third grades.

The administration, faculty, staff, and students would like to express their appreciation to the parents, Parent Teacher Organization officers, board of directors, Rev. Fr. Charlie Borja, Monsignor Louis Antonelli, Sen. Teresita Santos, Mateo and Rosita Santos, Board of Education member Tanya King, and Rota DPS officer Raimundo Manglona. (ESFDB)