Our annual observance of Catholic Schools Week takes place this week, January 31-February 6. Catholic Schools Week, first celebrated in 1974, is an annual national celebration of the important role of Catholic schools in providing a values-added education for America's young people. This year's Catholic Schools Week theme is "Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life: Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, Morals."

Here at Our Lady of Grace, Catholic Schools Week will be observed with a variety of activities in the school and parish, beginning with the involvement of OLGS students in our parish Masses this weekend. We have a special reason to celebrate this year at OLG because our school is now in its tenth year of existence. Deep thanks are owed to the families, school personnel, parishioners and supporters who worked to made Our Lady of Grace a reality.

Since 2000, OLGS has grown to over 385 students in Grades Kindergarten through 8, and also includes Our Lady of Grace Pre-School, with an enrollment of 120.

Although OLGS has an excellent curriculum and staff and provides a great academic experience, the reason for its existence goes beyond excellence in education. The school's mission is to provide spiritual guidance for God's children through religious and academic education where excellence is expected, discipline is understood, family is valued, and social awareness is strengthened.

We celebrate Mass with the students twice a week. Tuesday at 9 am we celebrate with one class or a section of the school. Thursday Masses, also at 9 am, are with the entire student body. I invite you to come and experience one of these liturgies if you have not already done so.

Fr. John and I visit the classrooms on a regular basis, primarily to prepare with the students for upcoming school liturgies. We also stop in for informal visits, Q/A sessions, and, occasionally, for classes on specific topics. (For example, in February I will be working with our eighth graders on the topic of Catholic Social Teaching.)

OLGS provides many opportunities for students to serve. The big annual food drive is one example. The current fund raising for Haitian earthquake relief is another. There's not enough space to detail other examples.

For more information on Our Lady of Grace School, come to the K-8 Open House this Tuesday, February 2nd, from 6:30-8pm. Or contact Kelli Wilson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 770-5660.

Congratulations, OLGS! Happy Catholic Schools Week!