National Catholic Schools Week will be observed from January 29th to February 4th  at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Minersville, PA, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic, NJ, Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ and St. Basil Academy in Fox Chase, PA.
 
This year’s theme “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”  celebrates who every person involved in a Catholic School is called to be.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd “came that they might have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).  We are invited to an abundant life in Jesus Christ.  When we fully live and breathe this faith, we live in His abundance.  It cannot help but raise the standard of all of life around us.
 
Our heartfelt gratitude is offered to all who are part of the family of our four schools.  We acknowledge and thank the clergy, religious Sisters, the administrators, teachers, and all of the support staff for their sharing of this giftedness in their skills through their person.  This enables each school to reflect abundant life in Jesus Christ.
 
Special thanks to the parents who seek the best for their children and offer their love and support for the school staff and students.  You do it because of your living out your inspired desire for abundant life.  We admire your tremendous personal and financial sacrifices to ensure a high standard of education and religious formation for your children.
 
Uppermost are our admiration and best wishes for every student in each school family.  The highest ideals of a Catholic school can only encourage each student to strive to be their best in the pursuit of the abundant life offered to all by Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We pray for each student as each grows in the skills and understanding of achieving the best in your Catholic School family.  May all grow in closeness with Jesus as we strive to be fully who we are called to be as a faithful student of a valued Ukrainian Catholic school.
 
We are particularly grateful for the meaningful example of excellence each school provides for the Church and for the community of which they are a part.  The striving for high standards in Catholic education positively encourages others to excel in who they are and in how they live within the community.  A Catholic School which raises its standard is fulfilling its mission of inspiring others to excellence, and thereby living the abundant life in Jesus Christ.
 
Especially helpful are the individual organizations and businesses who offer financial help to our Ukrainian Catholic schools.  Donations by persons and groups who desire to support the high standard of education and religious formation in our schools are enablers.  Such valued donors truly breathe Jesus Christ’s call to abundant life.  Can there be a better way to share one’s wealth and blessings than with children growing in knowledge and faith?  Choose to financially help our Ukrainian Catholic schools to fulfill their sacred mission to teach and prepare our children with high standards and ideals.
 
All involved in our Ukrainian Catholic schools will be especially remembered in prayers offered throughout National Catholic Schools Week.  May your hearts be filled with gratitude as you reflect on your achievement at raising the standard of education.  May all of us continue to be inspired to be our best providing the optimum example to those whom we serve and to those among whom we attempt to raise the standard of education.
 
God bless you richly in ways only He can!