Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States, which has been sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association since 1974. This is a time to celebrate both our mission and our ministries. We embrace the national theme for this week: Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. “Catholic education provides an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.” (Renewing our Commitment, 2005)
Community is at the heart of Catholic education. Having experienced community in our schools, our students, faculties and families are empowered to build community in all areas of life. Catholic Schools Week is a recognition of all that our schools do every day to enable the total development of the whole person in light of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message.
Catholic schools in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey work diligently to maintain a culture of academic excellence indicative of a Catholic school education. Our principals and teachers through their faith, passion and dedication have a resolute commitment to their ministry which is seen as a privilege and a blessing.
Academic excellence in our schools is complimented by our attention to service. Students learn early on that the Church is a servant community in which it is their responsibility to be of service to those less fortunate than themselves. Our schools form and inform students to acknowledge their God-given talents and to be respectful of their responsibilities. Catholic education empowers our students to achieve their dreams and goals to become future citizens in our global society. We strive to live by our mission to develop, improve, promote and support a Catholic school system where students become transformers of a faith-filled future.
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All elementary schools and diocesan high schools have achieved accreditation by Cognia, which is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. We will be addressing reaccreditation from Cognia in 2026.
Catholic Schools Week is also a time to give thanksgiving to those who lead, administer, teach and lend support to our schools in our Catholic community: to our Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, our clergy, religious, lay men and women, our parents who selflessly make the necessary sacrifices to provide a Catholic education for their children, all others who assist us in our educational endeavors, and most importantly, to our students who are the future of our Church — and our hope. Thank you for all you do, have done and will continue to do.
As we continue on our journey of a faith-filled education, may we all learn with an open mind and accepting heart. May we serve with great compassion, a gentle kindness and a generous spirit. May we proclaim God’s message and succeed with faith, strength and courage empowering us to continue the teaching mission of our Church.
Catholic Schools Week: Message from Superintendent Mary D. Baier #Catholic –
Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States, which has been sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association since 1974. This is a time to celebrate both our mission and our ministries. We embrace the national theme for this week: Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. “Catholic education provides an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.” (Renewing our Commitment, 2005)
Community is at the heart of Catholic education. Having experienced community in our schools, our students, faculties and families are empowered to build community in all areas of life. Catholic Schools Week is a recognition of all that our schools do every day to enable the total development of the whole person in light of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message.
Catholic schools in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey work diligently to maintain a culture of academic excellence indicative of a Catholic school education. Our principals and teachers through their faith, passion and dedication have a resolute commitment to their ministry which is seen as a privilege and a blessing.
Academic excellence in our schools is complimented by our attention to service. Students learn early on that the Church is a servant community in which it is their responsibility to be of service to those less fortunate than themselves. Our schools form and inform students to acknowledge their God-given talents and to be respectful of their responsibilities. Catholic education empowers our students to achieve their dreams and goals to become future citizens in our global society. We strive to live by our mission to develop, improve, promote and support a Catholic school system where students become transformers of a faith-filled future.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
All elementary schools and diocesan high schools have achieved accreditation by Cognia, which is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. We will be addressing reaccreditation from Cognia in 2026.
Catholic Schools Week is also a time to give thanksgiving to those who lead, administer, teach and lend support to our schools in our Catholic community: to our Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, our clergy, religious, lay men and women, our parents who selflessly make the necessary sacrifices to provide a Catholic education for their children, all others who assist us in our educational endeavors, and most importantly, to our students who are the future of our Church — and our hope. Thank you for all you do, have done and will continue to do.
As we continue on our journey of a faith-filled education, may we all learn with an open mind and accepting heart. May we serve with great compassion, a gentle kindness and a generous spirit. May we proclaim God’s message and succeed with faith, strength and courage empowering us to continue the teaching mission of our Church.