Thursday, February 1
Celebrating Vocations

Today we celebrate vocations and the many ways people respond to God’s call.

The root of the word vocation is vocare, the Latin word for “call.” Through Baptism, God calls each of us by name. We also believe that God calls each and every one of us into discipleship. There are many different ways to respond to that call. When we celebrate vocations, we celebrate all of the ways people respond to that call.

Three Ways to Celebrate the Vocations-School Connection

1. Invite a variety of guest speakers to share how they believe they are responding to God’s call in their lives. Include students, teachers, and school and parish staff members in your invitation.
2. Write letters of thanks or prepare gift baskets for the priests, deacons, sisters, and brothers who serve your school and/or parish.
3. Teach the Vocations section of Our Catholic Heritage (Blest Are We Faith in Action) or Key Teachings of the Catholic Church (Be My Disciples).
4. Invite students to research one or more religious orders and learn about their charisms, especially those that serve in your diocese.

• Many religious orders have brief videos that describe their charisms. These are usually located on the website for the specific religious order. Share the video(s) with families. Invite them to learn about one or more religious orders, especially those that serve in your diocese. 
• Suggest that families “call” friends and loved ones and share how they see them living out God’s call in their lives. 
• Drop off or provide drive-by treats for the religious in your community. You may want to include those hand-made cards by students giving thanks for their ministry and sharing God’s love with others.
• Use a digital platform for an online trivia game using sections of Our Catholic Heritage (Blest Are We Faith in Action) or Key Teachings of the Catholic Church (Be My Disciples).

Tuesday, January 31 
Celebrating Your Students

Today we celebrate the gifts, talents, and faith of Catholic school students.

Catholic education provides a nurturing environment for children and youth to grow and learn, not only in their academic studies but also in their faith. Through the study of God’s Word, we learn that we are all created in God’s image and that God calls each of us by name. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ serve as the example by which we are to live.

Three Ways to Celebrate the Student-School Connection

1. Invite older students to read Bible stories to younger students. Invite younger students to role-play Bible stories for older students.
2. Brainstorm with your class or invite small groups of students to name five things they have learned from reading God’s Word. As an alternative, invite younger students to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories.
3. Start a pen-pal program with another Catholic school, perhaps a mission school supported by your parish or diocese.    

• Connect classes digitally/virtually and use virtual breakout rooms for older students to read a Bible story to the younger students. Then invite the younger students to draw a picture about the Scripture passage and post it on the school website.
• Send a digital greeting to another school within the diocese or even in another part of the nation or internationally. Discover ways to support each schools’ mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus through prayer, letter writing, and digital communication.
   

The Bible for Little Ones enriches the lives of children, parents, families, and catechists in their efforts to listen to, understand, and live the Word of God. Children listen to key Bible stories and internalize them through activities and music. This resource is designed for children between the ages of three and seven. Available in Spanish.

Find additional resources for families from RCL Benziger at - OurFamilyFaith.com 

Monday, January 30
Celebrating Your Community

Today we celebrate the call of all disciples of Jesus to live their lives in service to others. 

The Church’s Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that we have a responsibility to protect the life and dignity of all people, to ensure that the basic needs of all people are met—including the right to adequate health care and education, and to show special care to the poor and vulnerable.

Three Ways to Celebrate the Community-School Connection

1. Write thank-you notes or prep treat baskets for local community leaders such as the mayor, fire chief, police chief, or local firefighters and police officers.
2. Collect and donate educational materials for students in underserved communities or collect books and games for a local family shelter.
3. Host a dress-down day, asking students to donate $1 toward Catholic Charities or another local ministry to those in need.

• Create a digital thank-you presentation for local community leaders. 
• Invite community leaders to a virtual open house. You may want to include video student, teacher, and parent-led tours and testimonials.
• Encourage families to send thank you notes or suggest locations where they may donate special treats (safely). You may wish to provide a downloadable postcard for families to use for their notes. Be sure to include your school name and logo.
   

Every chapter of Blest Are We Faith in Action, Grades 1-8, contains a Faith in Action lesson that highlights one of the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Students learn how the principles are lived out in school and parish ministries, and they are invited to make everyday connections to their own lives.

Find additional resources for families from RCL Benziger at - OurFamilyFaith.com 

Sunday, January 29
Celebrating Your Parish

Today we celebrate the integral connection between parish communities and Catholic schools. 

Each Sunday, the parish community comes together to celebrate the Mass. During Catholic Schools Week, many parishes invite adults and students from the school community to take a special role in the liturgy.

Three Ways to Celebrate the Parish-School Connection

1. Invite the parish and school choirs to combine talents in leading the music at Sunday Mass.
2. Have students make ahead of time thank you cards or special prayer cards to distribute to parishioners at the end of Mass. Messages could be simple, such as “Thank you for supporting our school” or “Please pray for our students and teachers.”
3. During the announcements, take time to invite teachers, students, and staff to stand. Also, recognize former students and staff members, and parents of students currently attending your parish’s Catholic school.

• Make digital thank you cards for parishioners that could be distributed via email or social media utilizing the parish distribution list in collaboration with the parish staff. The cards could be designed digitally or made by hand and scanned.
• Consider making a digital presentation (slideshow or video) of students and staff thanking parishioners. Share the presentation before or after live-streamed Mass or share it on social media. Be sure to follow all school and diocesan child-safety guidelines.
• During Mass, include a prayer intention for all students and teachers, especially those in your Catholic school. As an addition or alternative, take time to invite teachers, students, and staff to stand and be recognized during the announcements. Also recognize former students and staff members and parents of students currently attending your parish’s Catholic school.
   

Catholic Prayers and Practices for Young Disciples and Catholic Prayers and Practices contain the Order of Mass, including the responses and longer prayers of the Mass (Gloria, Creed, and Eucharistic Prayer acclamations). Major signs and symbols of the Church—many a part of the Mass—are also explained.

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