Catholic Schools Week celebrates all of Benet Academy’s positive attributes as a Catholic private school. Catholic Schools Week lasted from January 30 to February 2. It was an exciting and thought-provoking week.
On Tuesday, January 30 there were multiple events held to commemorate the week. In the morning there was a Bible Cafe meeting. Following, there was an All School Mass. The mass started with a brief speech from Benet President, Mr. Myers. He talked about the great community Benet offers. He pointed out the many generations of people who have walked the halls and the many connections that lead to Benet. He emphasized the importance of Benet’s community by saying, “Community is the joy of stability”. His short speech was a great way to start the mass. The mass went on as normal. However, it was a special mass because it took place on the late Abbott Hughes’s birthday. It was moving to have a moment with the whole school to remember a man who had such a big impact on the Benet community.
Once the mass concluded there was another speaker in the alumni speaker series. The speaker was, by coincidence, Señor Marth’s sister. She spoke very well about such important topics. She started by saying “Comparison is the thief of joy”. She emphasized that we can be smart in other ways. She used herself as a comparison saying that she wasn’t necessarily book smart but instead she was savvy with people socially and more street smart. She said that while both “smarts” are different they are equally important. She followed this by saying, “Use the gifts you have been given to serve others”. She said this was so important because going to a private school we have been given so many opportunities and gifts which we need to use to help others. She ended her speech by giving advice, “Be curious, have faith, and surround yourself with smart people”. The speech was a great way to commence the new year. It gave students a new lookout for their capabilities while also giving new ideas on how to grow. After school, there was the LIFT gender reveal for Mrs. Billings’ baby.
Wednesday, January 31 had many fun events to add to the week. LIFT sold delicious slushies in the St. Martin’s Lobby. Additionally, there was a rosary held during lunch and homeroom periods and adoration during fifth and sixth period.
One notable aspect of Catholic Schools Week included teacher reflections during the announcements. Throughout the week a teacher would reflect on what attending/teaching at a Catholic school meant to them. Teachers Mrs. Peceniak, Mr. Frey, Mr. Corrigan, and Mr. Fitzgerald spoke beautifully about what Benet means to them. They all shared a touching anecdote that showed the loving community at Benet.
Thursday and Friday both had dress-down days. The money went to Friends of Imiliwaha. Friends of Imiliwaha is a charity that sponsors Benet’s sister school St. Gertrude, a Benedictine high school for girls located in Imiliwaha, Tanzania. Throughout the years, Benet has been able to provide a library, chemistry equipment, electronics, sports equipment, and many other things. It is truly a great cause because it allows us to help out other Catholics in need. Moreover, with a donation on Thursday students could wear a Catholic shirt, and with a donation on Friday, students got a slop day.
Overall, Catholic Schools Week was a great success. It allowed the Benet community to reflect on what it means to go to a Catholic school as great as Benet.
