FALL RIVER — Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese will observe Catholic Schools Week from January 28 through February 3 with Masses, open houses and a variety of special programs and activities.

Celebrated annually across the country beginning on the last Sunday in January, the week is designed to highlight the value of a Catholic education to young people and its contributions to the Church and wider community.

It is also the time when most Catholic schools host open houses and open registration for the following academic year. Parents who are interested in enrolling a child in a Catholic school in the Fall River Diocese or learning more about one should contact the school of interest for information or visit www.CatholicSchoolsAlliance.org.

Specific Catholic Schools Week schedules vary from school to school but often feature academic and athletic challenges; music and arts festivals; guest speakers; special opportunities for prayer; activities to support charities and outreach to those in need; appreciation events; and student socials.

The national theme for the celebration is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

In a message for Catholic Schools Week, the diocesan Catholic Schools Office –led by Superintendent of Schools Stephen A. Perla- said, “We are emboldened by and hope-filled about the future of our Catholic schools, for each of them are deeply animated by Gospel values, academic excellence, and innovation. These schools are truly regional treasures continuing to meet the spiritual and diverse academic needs of the region’s children and the families they serve.”

The message referenced the work of the Catholic Schools Office Leadership Team over the past year to implement recommendations from the fall 2016 report of the Diocese’s Task Force on Catholic Education, and highlighted three major initiatives: the establishment of a Central Board of Catholic Education to support diocesan schools; ongoing development of a Strategic Plan by each school to set its priorities and guide its direction for the next three years; and the investment of over $800,000 to improve Wi-Fi infrastructure in 20 schools.

Looking ahead to the 2020-2021 school year, the Catholic Schools Office has adopted four major diocesan-wide goals: increase academic growth across all disciplines by 5 percent; increase enrollment by 3 percent; stabilize school finances; and increase church attendance in school parishes.

The Catholic Schools Office concludes its message for Catholic Schools Week with an expression of deep gratitude to all who serve and support Catholic education, especially the parents of students “for the trust they have placed in our schools to provide their child with an excellent academic program and to assist them with deepening their personal faith.”

Diocese of Fall River
Diocese of Fall River
Office of Communications