One of the most anticipated weeks of the academic year is upon us and Marquette High School is primed to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with its broad school community. The ability to pair academic rigor with faith-based values benefits millions of children across our country each year Empowering students to bolster their Catholic faith is a blessing, which we do not take for granted.
Marquette will join its Diocesan partners and the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) in celebrating National Catholic Schools Week from Sunday, January 26th, through Saturday, February 1st. The NCEA established the observance in 1974 as an annual recognition of Catholic education in the United States.
“United in Faith and Community” will serve as this year’s theme as a means to highlight the value Catholic education provides to youth and its contributions to church, community, and nation. Over 1.8 million children in the U.S. attend Catholic schools, and 99% of those students will go on to graduate from their Catholic high school. Furthermore, 86% of those graduates nationwide will matriculate to a four-year college or university.
Marquette will recognize a critical component of Catholic education each day beginning Sunday when we celebrate our parishes. Students are encouraged to accompany their families to Mass at their home parish. Afterward, students will have a four-hour window from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in which to decorate their assigned hallway in the main building.
On Monday, Blazers will deliver MQT gift bags to our civic and municipal partners as the theme is “Celebrate Your Community.” Monday is also Pajama Day, which will feature a game of Name That Tune and Musical Chairs in the gymnasium.
The survey says competition will be fierce on Tuesday afternoon when classes take part in an afternoon match of Family Feud. Families are invited to have lunch with their students on this day. In light of the “Celebrate Your Students” theme, treats will be provided for students.
Marquette will pay tribute to those who served on Wednesday as we “Celebrate Our Nation.” Students will be able to create cards for veterans in their classrooms and during lunch. Each class will dress in the theme of their respective hallway. All are invited to begin the day in the Chapel at 7:30 a.m. as Campus Ministry will perform its weekly saying of the rosary.
Most Reverend Bishop Robert J. McClory will grace us with his presence on Thursday morning when he leads us in an all-city Mass at 10 a.m. inside the Scholl Center. Father Nate Edquist will speak to the student body after Mass in recognition of the “Celebrate Vocations” theme. Our local priests are encouraged to stay for lunch. Formal uniforms are required for students on Thursday, but they may don a crazy hat once dismissed from Mass.
Class competition resumes Friday as Marquette will hold mini-Armageddon games in the gym culminating with dodgeball matches. Prior to that, students will fill out cards for volunteers throughout our school as a thank-you for their charity. Parents are organizing a luncheon for faculty and staff as we “Celebrate Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers.” Marquette will also hold its annual Day of Giving on Friday. Alumni, families, and community members are encouraged to pledge a gift that reflects the impact Marquette and Catholic education have made on them.
The final day of Catholic Schools Week coincides with National Marquette Day on Saturday, February 1st. Marquette plays host to Andrean in a boys basketball doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m. Eighth graders from Notre Dame Catholic School and Queen of All Saints will play an abbreviated scrimmage during halftime of the JV contest. Marquette will unveil its Homecoming Court prior to the varsity contest, which is slated for approximately 2 p.m. The day - and week - will conclude with an after-party at Holly’s Family Restaurant & Pub following the varsity basketball game.
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