Catholic Schools Week doesn’t just consist of dressing down and games; it’s a celebration of faith and community. Feehan’s Catholic Schools Week is a special way to celebrate how unique the school is and a good way to get out of the normal routine. Catholic Schools Week began in 1974 from the National Catholic Educational Association to raise awareness of the value of a Catholic education. In an interview with the director of Campus Ministry, Mr. Deramo, he stated, “We wanted to be more intentional in what we were offering during Catholic Schools Week, so that everybody had something to participate in, not just small events but large school-wide events too.” He mentioned that the Campus Ministry team aims to improve the week each year. Senior, Camille McCurdy said, “I thought they did a good job with breaking up the routine of
normal school days; having gone to public school prior to Feehan, I didn’t know what Catholic Schools Week was, so I think it’s great.”
The committee that organized it held themed dress-down days, cafeteria games, and many other activities that the students could participate in to make the week enjoyable. They also had a school-wide Catholic Schools Week mass, the weekly Tuesday morning mass, and PAWS held in the chapel on Friday. “We aren’t meant to do our faith alone; Catholic Schools Week reminds us that we live our faith in community.” Mr. Deramo explained that there are many ways to live our faith in community, and Catholic Schools Week introduces a lot of those ways. “It’s exciting to see the students come to school with a different enthusiasm for the day.”
Catholic Schools Week matters because it helps the Bishop Feehan community come together and grow in faith as a whole. “Our overall goal is to give students a positive experience, celebrating their time in a Catholic school while also providing opportunities to be grateful for it.” There are so many positive things that happen. “I think the week provides a break from the norm, and it’s great to see the different energy it brings into the school.” Mr. Deramo stated, expressing his satisfaction in how the week turned out. Catholic Schools Week reminded students that Feehan is more than a place to learn — it’s a community built on faith and support.
