'Catholic Schools Week highlights significant contribution of schools as communities of service'

Across the island of Ireland, from 21 to 27 January, the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week will be marked by parish communities. During this dedicated week, school communities will pray, explore and discuss the 2024 theme which reflects the contribution of Catholic schools as ‘Communities of Service’ in our society.

According to Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, who chairs the Council for Education of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, “Thanks to the commitment of our school communities – pupils, parents, staff and parishes - Catholic schools set a high standard when it comes to education provision. Our schools look to Jesus Christ as our role model and teacher.

"Generations of people have benefited from Catholic schools and our society is all the better for their contribution to the common good. Our schools, following the example of Jesus, serve every person regardless of creed, background, faith, social status or age. Jesus showed those around Him how our Heavenly Father is compassionate, courageous and forgiving by His own actions.

“For Catholic Schools Week 2024, we will reflect on the theme of our schools exemplifying communities of service. Each day of CSW has a dedicated focus: Service in Our Community of Friends; Service in Our School Community; Service in Our Family Community; Service in Our Local Community; and, Service in Our Faith Community," Bishop Deenihan said.

Easy day's resources draw on the overarching theme of Catholic schools contributing as ‘Communities of Service’. These resources offer scriptural reflection on prayer, action, student voice, and concern for our common home, and are available here.

Bishop Deenihan will celebrate Mass for Catholic Schools Week in The Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, at 12pm on Monday, 22 January, with students attending from the local Catholic Post-Primary Schools. For more information on CSW 2024, please visit www.catholiceducation.ie