CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Students at Notre Dame High School will learn more about their Catholic heritage as schools in Southeast Missouri begin celebrating Catholic Schools Week.

The week began Sunday with special Masses and open houses in many parishes. It ends Saturday. The theme is "Catholic Schools: Schools You Can Believe In." It was chosen by the National Catholic Education Association, and will be the theme through 1997.

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, principal at Notre Dame, said that during the week teachers at the school will raise student awareness of their Catholic heritage.

"We'll be playing a trivia game to see how much they know about when the school began and when the name changed from St. Mary's to Notre Dame and the original founders," she said.

Notre Dame is filled with rich traditions, and tradition is an important part of Catholic Schools Week.

"It's a celebration of our uniqueness," said St. Mary's School Principal Carol Strattman. "The week is a celebration of Catholic schools, people and groups that help support them."

The week is just as much for the church parish as it is for teachers and students, she said. "Without support from the parishioners, we couldn't continue to be in existence."

In addition to giving students a spiritual education, Catholic schools offer opportunities like sports, spelling bees, science fairs and other academic contests. Some even offer after-school activities for elementary students.

Having a school to believe in means having the support of the parents and community, said Gerald Landewee, principal at Immaculate Conception School in Jackson.

The church honored a distinguished graduate during Mass Saturday. Jack Martin was recognized by the school as a role model for Catholic education, Landewee said.

Because the week's activities focus on education, students at St. Denis unveiled their science fair projects Friday morning. The displays were set up for Sunday's open house at the school.

Students also spent last Thursday and Friday afternoon making banners to hang in the church and around the school as reminders of Catholic Schools Week.

Other activities at the schools include playing bingo with parish senior citizens on Tuesday in Chaffee, an afternoon spent reading a favorite book Wednesday in Benton, enjoying a picnic lunch with their families Thursday in Jackson and dressing like a favorite storybook character Friday in Scott City.

St. Denis will culminate its Catholic Schools Week activities with a bowling party, and St. Ambrose School in Chaffee will hold a skating party Friday afternoon.

St. Joseph School in Scott City will hold a chili and chicken noodle dinner Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The meal costs $3.50 for adults and $2 for children. It will mark the end of Catholic Schools Week at the school.