By Staff
STARTS SATURDAY Saint Patrick Catholic School fourth-grader Noel Nichols, left, sixth-grader Catie Alexander, second-grader Brandon Wilkes, fifth-grader Tuarze Fountain, third-grader Diamond Reed and first-grader Sean Shumate will participate in Catholic Schools Week which starts Saturday. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall/staff writer
Jan. 25, 2002
Saturday marks the start of "Catholic Schools Week," a nationwide event celebrating the importance of Catholic schools.
This year's theme: "Where Faith &Knowledge Meet."
St. Patrick School is one of 8,200 Catholic schools in the United States that will participate in the weeklong event.
The celebration begins Saturday with a 5 p.m. Mass and 6 p.m. Winter Social that includes a steak dinner. Tickets for dinner, which will feature a talent show at 7 p.m., are $10 each.
On Monday, students will participate in "Outreach by Cleanup" as they pick up trash and clean up the block in front of the school. The public is invited help the students.
The school will host a Career Fair on Wednesday.
Timmons pointed to former students who have made a successful life for themselves.
Meridian residents and Catholic school alumni will participate in the Career Fair. They include, Robert Bresnahan, a local attorney; Carol Merrill, a dance choreographer; Dr. Roslyn Gambrel, a Meridian dentist; Drs. James Kenney and Kathleen Shine; Jimmy Stockton, a firefighter; and Dr. John Hodge, an orthodontist.
On Thursday, the school will host an open house from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Visitors can attend and ask questions about the school.
The school is multi-denominational and multi-cultural. People of all faiths are welcomed.
Timmons believes parents choose St. Patrick for the learning environment and education, which includes spiritual growth, morals, values and a small student-to-teacher ratio.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Saturday: Mass, 5 p.m., and Winter Social, 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Tickets $10 for for the social and steak dinner. The public is invited.
Sunday: Celebrating Church and Parish: Reception, 11:15 a.m., for alumni and friends in the Family Life Center.
Monday: Celebrating Community: Outreach by Cleanup. St. Patrick students will pick up trash on the school grounds and adjacent streets.
Tuesday: Celebrating Students: Student Appreciation. Speakers will be invited to talk to each class.
Wednesday: Celebrating the Nation: Flag ceremony, 8 a.m. and Career Fair, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in the gym.
Thursday: Celebrating Volunteers and Grandparents: Volunteers and grandparents will be recognized at an 8 a.m. Mass. Open House, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; the public is invited.
Friday: Celebrating Teachers: St. Patrick teachers will be recognized with special lunches. Knights of Columbus will sponsor a free-throw contest for ages 10 and up, 9 a.m., in the gym.