Catholic Schools Week celebrates knowledge, faith

On Saturday, many schools around the region will wrap up a special week.

Catholic Schools Week, which begins the last Sunday of January, was established in 1974 to celebrate the strengths and values of a Catholic education.

The overall theme for this year's event is "Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service." Daily themes help schools focus on different aspects of their education. This year, themes included days celebrating Catholic schools' communities, nations, vocations and families.

According to information on the National Catholic Educational Association's website, Catholic secondary schools nationwide have a 99 percent graduation rate. That's an impressive statistic.

The site also ranks Missouri among the top ten states with the highest Catholic school enrollment.

Another impressive statistic: Thirty-one percent of the 2,044 Catholic schools in the United States have a waiting list for admission.

Many families see value in ensuring their faith remains a part of all aspects of their children's lives, and make great sacrifices to send their child to such schools.

Thanks to those teachers, parents and parishes that make Catholic education a vital part of our communities. And congratulations on another Catholic Schools Week.