Learn, serve, lead, succeed. That's the mission of St. Mary's

On Sunday, St. Mary's Catholic School in Chester joined other Catholic Schools across the nation in celebrating National Catholic Schools Week. During this week Catholic Schools celebrate their existence, their contributions, and their accomplishments, along with saluting all the people who assist Catholic education through many generous ways of support. The theme is: Catholic Schools:

Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed. The theme expresses priorities that make Catholic schools prominent as extraordinary educational institutions.

Children learn about faith - how to live their faith and keep God central in their lives. We concentrate on academics, which in Catholic schools are held to the highest standards, so students can reach their highest potential.

We practice service - giving time, talent, and effort to help others - as an expression of both faith and good citizenship. This combined focus on faith, academics, and service prepares our students for full and meaningful lives.

Catholic schools are known for their high level of academic achievement and high graduation rates. As a group, Catholic school students score above average on national academic tests. Nationally, 99.1 percent of Catholic high school students graduate. Of these, 85.7 percent go on to college.

St. Mary's students are successful in an academically enriched environment. Our graduates go on to excel at area high schools: Gibault Catholic High School, St. Vincent High School, and Chester High School.

The service exemplified by St. Mary's School knows no daily or weekly limits; however, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 St. Mary's is specifically focusing on our mission which includes a Catholic commitment to service. Through various activities, events and service projects the students, faculty, staff, parents, volunteers, friends, and parishioners will be demonstrating their own dedication to serving the needs of others.

The school would like to thank all those who have supported it through generous gifts of time, talent, effort and charitable donations. Our gratitude and prayers are extended to all for the continued dedication and support to the school and Catholic education.

We invite you to examine the difference of a Catholic education. Feel free to contact the school anytime at (618) 826-3120. St. Mary's School has been making a difference in the lives of children for 157 years!

Sunday, Jan. 26: Succeed in our parish

Faith begins at home, in the family, and in the parish that grounds each family in the Christian community. Our school gives our families a deep connection to the faith community. On Sunday, we celebrated our parish and all the ways its supports, serves and nurtures our school, helping to highlight our mission and traditions. At this beautiful Liturgy our students came together to pray and celebrate our faith.

At Mass, several students were recognized for outstanding achievements within the Diocese of Belleville. Three students placed in the art contest sponsored by the Office of Faith Formation, with the theme "Jesus, Stay with Us." Recognized were Elseah Congiardo, third place, 8th grade; Ethan Colvis, third place, 6th grade and Rusty Korando, second place, 4th grade.

Bishop Edward Braxton also notified St. Mary's School that three of the four birthday letters to Pope Francis the Diocese forwarded to the Pope - out of hundreds written - were written by St. Mary's students Jack Heffernan, Elseah Congiardo and Garret Hopkins. Their words truly reflect the values that are taught to all students at St. Mary's School.

Monday, Jan. 27: Succeed in our nation

Today our focus was widened to include our nation and the service of Catholic Schools within our country. The school opened its doors to all veterans for a special luncheon and program, in which the students honored them through prayer, poems, choral readings and songs. Veterans were served lunch by the older students and presented with special parting gifts. The students wore red, white, and blue and held a collection for the Veterans Honor Flight. Students and teachers concluded the day by gathering together in community groups to pray the Rosary for peace and to ask God's blessings on our nation.

Tuesday, Jan. 29: Succeed in our vocations

We started our day honoring our parish priest, Father Gene Wojcik and thank him for choosing his vocation of serving the Lord. We descended upon Father Gene's yard and covered it with signs of love and gratitude. We thank him for providing guidance, being generous, his dedication, his positivity, teaching us about God, being kind, being patient, and being compassionate.

We also focus on the many ways we can use the gifts God has given us by exploring vocations. We encourage students to consider a life of religious service by creating opportunities for them to learn about what it involves. We show them how lay people contribute to the Church by serving as lay ministers, teachers in Catholic schools or religious education programs, and volunteers in church activities and religious charities.

We also look at the many career paths that enable students to use their talents to serve others. Students were invited to dress up in outfits representing the future career that would make their dreams come true. We honor those whose profession is in service to the Lord and who have made such a vital contribution to Catholic education.

Wednesday: Succeed in our Community

On this day we celebrate and build on the foundation that connects our school with the parish and community. Grandparents will come to school to share their own school memories, along with their important life lessons. They will also read their favorite stories to the children. Student groups will be gathering as their own small communities and sharing lunch together. Students will make cards for their "adopted grandparents" from the nursing home. The students will also conduct various service projects within the school and local community. Our students learn that it is in serving others that we truly receive. We appreciate our community's support and all that is done for St. Mary's School. We are happy to give back.

Thursday: Succeed in our students

Today we focus on our students, the reason Catholic education exists. Our students are our future. Today we rejoice in each child entrusted to our care. We celebrate our students by providing them with a day of special activities. Games, events and a fun day of learning will be celebrated with the students. This will also be a free jeans day and a no homework day for the students.

Friday: Succeed in our faculty and staff

Our closing liturgy will begin at an 8:15 a.m. Mass. Today we honor our teachers, staff, and volunteers for their service, witness and dedication to Catholic education. Following Mass, parishioners and volunteers will be invited to the school for refreshments and special recognition. Mary Help of Christians Parish recently completed a renovation of the church. The students, teachers, and staff are indeed grateful for the time, energy, and hard work that so many individuals invested to complete this beautiful renovation. This is just a small way for the school community to say thank you.

The faculty and staff will also be honored with a special luncheon. We illustrate our appreciation for their dedication in spreading the good news of Catholic education and ensuring a faith-filled future for our students.