Catholic Schools Week 2025 is in the books. The celebration of Catholic education in the Diocese of Venice included a wide variety of events, among these were the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a middle school youth rally and much more.
Sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), the week (Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2025) provides an annual opportunity to share the good news about Catholic Schools. The theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” focuses on the important spiritual, academic, and societal contributions provided by a Catholic education firmly rooted in the Truth of the Gospel.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated a Mass for Catholic school students in Collier County at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naples on Jan. 31. The Mass, which included concelebrating priests from Parishes throughout Collier County, involved the eighth graders from St. Elizabeth Seton and St. Ann Catholic schools in Naples, Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria in Ave Maria, and affiliated Royal Palm Academy in Naples. In addition, the entire student body of St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples participated, having walked from their nearby campus to the Mass, and afterward escorted the younger students back for a day of food, fun and games.
The Mass fell on the Memorial of St. John Bosco, priest, founder of a religious order and supporter of youth and Catholic education. The students at St. John Neumann are very familiar with St. John Bosco, as the school is led by religious women who are Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco.
Bishop Dewane said it is appropriate for everyone to come together to worship the Lord at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Supreme Prayer within the Church.
“Using the inspiration of St. John Bosco, as Catholic school students you are called to live your faith day in and day out,” Bishop Dewane said. “Don’t just wait for a religious class or Mass to do this. You know a lot of people your age who are not at Mass. You must do what you can, living out your faith as it should be lived. Build your lives so that you are the witness that Christ will hold up for everyone else to see as the example of how to live a better life. When the Lord says, ‘Who is the greatest?’ If it is not you, why not? Do something about it. Work to respond to the call of the Lord by living morally grounded lives by using the Gifts of Christ every day.”
A Diocesan Catholic Middle School Rally took place on Jan. 30, 2025, at the Marriot Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa in south Fort Myers. The Rally included 929 seventh and eighth grade students from St. Ann, St. Elizabeth Seton, Donahue Catholic Academy, St. Andrew in Cape Coral, St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers, St. Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte, Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, St. Mary Academy in Sarasota, St. Martha in Sarasota, St. Joseph in Bradenton, and St. Catherine in Sebring.
The Rally was divided into three parts, a talk and musical presentation by Shevin McCullough of Studio 3:16, Catholic Trivia led by Jennifer Falestiny, Diocesan Curriculum Coordinator, and Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction led by Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocese Superintendent of Catholic Education.
Each student was given a pair of sunglasses because Father Belmonte said, “the light of Christ has been so bright in your lives today,” that they must wear sunglasses.
McCullough, of Studio 3:16, which develops resources and an online Catholic kids TV show, focused on fostering children’s understanding and love of Christ, and used his musical talents to inspire the students with key motivational messages: “Pray! Act! – Trust! Act!”” Let’s Go! Live for God!” “Do Whatever He Tells You!” and “Fighting the Good Fight!”
Madison Shipley of St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers said the Youth Rally was fun and that McCoullough’s message resonated with her.
During Catholic Schools Week, each Diocesan Catholic School participated in a service project which focused on raising funds to support Catholics Schools in the Los Angeles area which were devastated by the early January wildfires. This is an opportunity for these students to give back as Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools have been recipients of kindness from Catholic schools across the country in the wake of hurricanes such as Irma, Ian, Helene and Milton.
Other activities which took place during Catholic Schools Week included field days, celebration of family, the nation, the community and more, all while sharing the benefits of Catholic Education with the community.
The 15 Diocesan Catholic Schools educate more than 6,500 students, which serve as an investment in the future. These Catholic School students serve as the heart of the Diocese, building the Catholic leadership of tomorrow. Catholic schools are located in Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Sebring, and Ave Maria.
Each school offers a comprehensive STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math) learning model which is combined with the Diocesan curriculum called, “The Gifts of Christ: Truth, Beauty, Goodness, Affability, Fortitude, Humility, and Prudence,” creating students of good moral character equipped to succeed in the world of today.
The January edition of “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” included a discussion on Catholic Schools Week with Diocesan Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Falestiny. The program is available at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts/.
To learn more about Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/catholicschools.
