Catholic Schools Week 2026: United in Faith and Community
This week, we join Catholic schools across the nation in celebrating National Catholic Schools Week, observed January 25–31, 2026.
Since 1974, this annual celebration has highlighted the vital role Catholic education plays in the life of the Church and in the formation of young people. The theme for 2026, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” beautifully captures the heart of our mission here in the Mohawk Valley.
Catholic schools are not simply places of academic instruction; they are communities of faith rooted in Jesus Christ. At their best, Catholic schools form the whole person mind, body, and spirit while fostering a living relationship with God and a deep sense of responsibility toward others. United by a shared Christian vision, Catholic school communities bear witness to the Gospel through prayer, service, sacramental life, and academic excellence.
We are deeply grateful for the presence and witness of Notre Dame Catholic Schools, which continue to serve students and families throughout our region. During Catholic Schools Week, Notre Dame Schools will mark this celebration with prayer, a school-wide Mass, and activities that invite students, families, parishioners, and community members to rejoice in the gift of Catholic education. These celebrations highlight not only what our schools do, but who they form young people of faith, character, and compassion.
This year’s Catholic Schools Week also comes at an important moment as Notre Dame Schools continue to move forward with Vision 2029, a multi-year strategic plan focused on long-term vitality and mission alignment. Vision 2029 emphasizes academic excellence, strong Catholic identity, responsible stewardship, student leadership development, and deeper collaboration between schools, parishes, and families. The progress made thus far is encouraging and speaks to a renewed confidence in the future of Catholic education in our region.
Catholic schools do not stand alone. They flourish through the partnership of parents the first educators of their children along with teachers, administrators, parish communities, and the broader Church. Together, we are building faith-filled communities that integrate culture with faith and prepare students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world with hope and conviction.
It is a true privilege for our parish family to support Notre Dame Catholic Schools and their mission within the Diocese of Syracuse. As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, we do so with gratitude for the past, confidence in the present, and great hope for the future trusting that Catholic education in the Mohawk Valley will continue to form saints, leaders, and joyful witnesses to the Gospel for generations to come.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!