What’s Happening in Catholic Ed: January 2025
Faith-Filled Resources for January
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Jan 4)
About St. John Neumann (Jan 5)
Baptism of our Lord Activities for Kids
Q & A About the Baptism of our Lord
Hold a Baby Shower for a Pregnancy Center
The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, which is celebrated on January 3.
1. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, OCTAVE DAY OF CHRISTMAS, Solemnity
2. Basil the Great; Gregory Nazianzen, Memorial
3. Most Holy Name of Jesus , Opt. Mem.
4. Elizabeth Ann Seton (USA and CAN), Memorial
5. EPIPHANY OF THE LORD, Solemnity
6. André Bessette (USA) , Opt. Mem.
7. Raymond of Penyafort, Opt. Mem.
12. Baptism of the Lord, Feast
13. Hilary, Opt. Mem.
17. Anthony, Memorial
19. SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
20. Fabian; Sebastian, Opt. Mem.
21. Agnes, Memorial
22. Day of Prayer for Unborn (USA), Opt. Mem.
23. Vincent of Saragossa (US), Marianne Cope (US), Opt. Mem.
24. Francis de Sales, Memorial
25. Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, Feast
26. THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, (Sunday of the Word of God), Sunday
27. Angela Merici, Opt. Mem.
28. Thomas Aquinas, Memorial
31. John Bosco, Memorial
Papal Prayer Intention for January
For the right to an education.
Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected. (See also https://www.popesprayer.net/)
News Articles
Massachusetts Catholic school expands with $20 million classical-inspired building
But on Dec. 2, St. Benedict Classical Academy (SBCA) opened its new campus — a $20 million classical-inspired structure that the headmaster, Jay Boren, said is designed to “lift the hearts and minds of all who enter it to the contemplation of God.”
We Put Our Kindergartner in Catholic School. Uh, We Never Expected She’d Actually Start to Believe.
We just wanted a quality education, but now she’s asking us a lot of awkward questions.
Evangelizing Through Welcome: Innovative Events Share the Gospel Person to Person
Recent research has identified what attracts people to Catholic parishes, and there are many examples of evangelization taking root in unique and creative ways.
Jesuit High School Ignites Faith, Inspires Students to Pursue Priesthood
But following their high school experience — at a school marked by a culture of peer ministry, readily available Catholic sacraments including daily Mass and frequent confession, inspiring retreats, and mission trip opportunities — several young men in recent years have found that God is calling them to serve him in a way they couldn’t have imagined before: as priests.
Susie Coughlin was concerned when her daughter struggled with reading skills at her public school. She switched her child to a Catholic school where the girl thrived after being taught phonics.
Archdiocese of New York Engages in Comprehensive Study to Strengthen Catholic Education.
The Archdiocese of New York’s Department of Education – Superintendent of Schools Office has undertaken a vital step to ensure its Catholic schools’ future strength and sustainability.
Trump taps West suburban Catholic school leader as next Vatican ambassador
Burch, the co-founder and president of the conservative political action committee CatholicVote, is the president of the Seton Montessori School board in Villa Park.
Trump Wants to Expand Private School Choice. Does the Public Agree?
Almost two-thirds of adults overall—63 percent—and 75 percent of K-12 parents back the use of education savings accounts, or ESAs, to help families cover private school tuition, tutoring services, online education programs, and more, the survey found.
The University of Notre Dame has received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment to fund the new Pathways to Communion Program at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. This program aims to strengthen the ecosystem of theologically informed service opportunities for young Catholics in the United States.
West Virginia awards Catholic ‘trade college’ $5 million grant for expansion
The College of St. Joseph the Worker, an Ohio-based Catholic college, received a $5 million grant from West Virginia to develop a construction company to employ students, provide job training and education opportunities, and create a pro-life public policy research center in the northern part of the state.
Organize/Report
Release Catholic Schools Week Schedule to parents (upon return from Christmas)
Send Second Trimester Progress Reports to parents
Complete review of application for new students acceptance
Review delinquent tuition
Plan/Prepare
Consult with teachers regarding possible retention of students
Plan Stations of the Cross and Lenten Activities
Plan Patriot Activities for President’s Day
Plan Valentine’s Day Activities
Host/Attend
Meet with teachers for mid-year review / goal check
Catholic Schools Week Mass and open house
Catholic Schools Week Activities
Catholic Schools Week Closing Mass
Celebrate:
MLK Jr. Day of Service
Catholic Schools Week
Repeated Monthly Tasks
Check teacher lesson plans (weekly) and regular classroom walk-throughs
IST / SIT / Child study meetings
Conduct fire and other safety drills / Record results on Drill Form
Meet with pastor(s) and Faculty
Monthly Newsletter to parents
PTA Monthly Meeting
Advancement Resources
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