Catholic Schools Week begins Sunday, a time to celebrate the gift of Catholic education in the United States and reflect on the unique mission of Sacred Heart schools: educating the whole child in mind, heart, and spirit. This week, Mrs. Mary (Dougherty ’96) Reepmeyer, Principal, shares how students will reflect, celebrate, and give thanks for the faith-filled community that surrounds and supports them.
We look forward to celebrating our Sacred Heart community and the many ways our students live out our five Goals during Catholic Schools Week. Middle School students have been reflecting on why they are proud to attend a Catholic school and how Sacred Heart helps them grow closer to God. Students in Third and Fourth Class have also been reflecting on their experience at the Academy by creatively writing acrostic poems about what it means to be part of a Catholic school. These poems and reflections will be displayed on pennants throughout the school next week and shared at our Be Part of the Heart Open House on Sunday, February 1.
We will begin the week with mass in the Shrine lead by our Eighth Class followed by goûter (treats). We will also be hosting our all school spelling bee, having some surprises for the students, faculty and staff, and end the week with a half-day Spirit Day.
In addition, we will welcome special visitors from our sister school, Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, LA. Seventh Class girls will be on our campus on Tuesday, January 27. They will spend some time touring our Shrine/historic areas as well as have a chance to meet and have personal tours given by our Seventh Class girls. What a wonderful Network experience during Catholic Schools Week!
Friday is also a special day for our Eighth Class students who will be receiving their High School acceptance letters that day. We are grateful to our Academy families for choosing a Catholic education for your children and for partnering with us in faith and learning.
Goal 1, a personal and active faith in God, is not only teaching the foundation of our Catholic faith, it’s about developing in every child a deep, lifelong relationship with God that will nourish and sustain them. We live out Goal 1 in very visible ways such as First Friday and Feast Day liturgies, prayer services and the sacraments of First Communion and Reconciliation which help our children grow in that relationship. In addition, there are subtle ways that contribute to our children’s development of their own personal and active faith.
One unique practice is “espacio.” At 3 each afternoon, a bell is rung and students from Pre-Primary through Eighth Class — as well as adults — spend a few minutes in reflection, prayer and contemplation, quieting themselves to listen to the voice of God within. In this daily practice, they are finding time to connect with God in their own way. By giving students this time to just be with God, we are calling them to a faith that is both very personal and very active.
All are invited to pause and join us in prayer from wherever you are each day during espacio.
