Each year, Catholic schools across the nation come together to celebrate Catholic Schools Week – a time to honor the gift of Catholic education and its impact on our students, families, and communities. Sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association, this year’s celebration runs from Sunday, Jan. 25 through Saturday, Jan. 31.
The 2026 theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” reflects the heart of our mission.
Our schools are more than places of learning; they are vibrant communities rooted in Christ. They expand beyond school walls to include the family as an integral part of the community. Together, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents create a culture that nurtures faith, strives for academic excellence, and inspires a lifelong commitment to serve others.
During Catholic Schools Week, each day highlights a different aspect of our community.
- Sunday we honor our parishes, which serve as the spiritual foundation of our schools.
- Monday celebrates the communities that support and enrich our mission.
- Tuesday focuses on our students, who are the heart of Catholic education.
- Wednesday reminds us to pray for and serve our nation.
- Thursday is dedicated to vocations, encouraging students to listen for God’s call.
- Friday recognizes the dedication of our faculty, staff, and volunteers who make Catholic education possible.
- Saturday celebrates families, the first teachers and lifelong partners in faith.
Together, these celebrations reflect the unity and purpose that define Catholic schools.
The Diocese of Allentown is blessed with 33 Catholic schools serving families across five counties: Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill. Our community of schools serves over 9,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Our schools provide a safe, supportive environment where students grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. They learn to see the world through the lens of faith, guided by Gospel values that shape their decisions and actions.
In every classroom, students are encouraged to discuss their faith openly, exploring how it connects to what they learn in science, literature, history, and beyond. This integration of faith and education helps them understand that knowledge and belief are not separate, but complementary, preparing them to live purposeful lives rooted in truth.
In a time when families seek meaning and purpose for their children, Catholic schools stand as a beacon of hope and opportunity.
Throughout Catholic Schools Week, schools in the Diocese of Allentown will host a variety of events:
- Masses and Prayer Services to give thanks for the gift of Catholic education.
- Open Houses to welcome prospective families and showcase our schools.
- Community Service projects that put faith into action.
- Student and Faculty Appreciation Days filled with fun and friendship.
These celebrations are not just for our students – they are for everyone who believes in the mission of Catholic education: parents, alumni, parishioners, and friends. Your support makes this ministry possible, and Catholic Schools Week is the perfect time to express our gratitude.
We invite you to participate in Catholic Schools Week by attending events at your local Catholic school, sharing your stories of Catholic education, and encouraging others to discover the difference a Catholic school can make. Together, we can continue to build strong communities rooted in faith and dedicated to excellence.
For more information about Catholic Schools Week and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Allentown, visit www.adschools.org.
Article Author Cara Meskill is the Director of Enrollment and School Marketing for the Office of Education.
