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Diocese of Lake Charles
Schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles have a lot to celebrate during National Catholic Schools Week this year, even if those celebrations will be scaled back because of social distancing.
The annual observance highlighting Catholic education in the United States is January 31-February 6 with the theme “Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence and Service.”
Across the nation, schools have overcome many challenges brought about by COVID-19, but when combined with the devastation of back-to-back hurricanes, schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles have conquered overwhelming odds.
Two of the six schools — Immaculate Conception and Our Lady Queen of Heaven — are especially grateful for being able to reopen within a few weeks after Hurricane Laura.
“We have learned a lot about appreciation and gratitude for our Catholic schools this year, more so, given all the trials we have been through beginning with having to shut down in-person learning in March last year (because of COVID-19),” said Megan O’Quin, Director of Advancement at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School.
After the two hurricanes — Laura, a Category 4 on Aug. 27; and Delta, a Category 2 on Oct. 9 — O’Quin said the school year so far has been tough, but at the same time, all the reasons of why she believes in Catholic education has been visible.
“Catholic schools from across the state were calling us, sending us cards, donations and gift cards,” O’Quin said. “Even in the hardest of times, to be reminded that we are here to support each other is very humbling. It is amazing to be part of this awesome network of Catholic schools.”
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School has been putting its school theme, “Love is Kind,” in action by sharing its third-floor annex with St. Margaret students in grades 5-8. St. Margaret’s campus was seriously damaged by Laura, leaving only enough rooms for the lower grades to attend on site.
“It really has been an act of kindness on the part of our students and our teachers to sacrifice extra space on our campus,” said Christi Jarreau, principal at ICCS. “Being able to put hospitality and kindness in action has been a grace for us.”
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the students and faculty of each school are separated, but Jarreau said just knowing ICCS can offer a place for St. Margaret students to have face-to-face learning has been huge.
“A longtime tradition at both schools is to pray the ‘Angelus’ at noon,” said Jarreau. “At the end of the prayer, we pray, ‘Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, pray for us,’ seeking Our Lady’s intercession. Knowing that they’re here and praying with us on our campus, we also ask for St. Margaret of Scotland’s intercession as well.”
Jarreau said she has been inspired by the positive attitude from her staff under challenging circumstances following the hurricanes.
“It is all about working together as a community,” she said. “The faculty are overcoming their own obstacles at home without missing a beat in overflowing with joy and love for their students.”
Whether it is praying for their classes or for the protection of the community, Jarreau said she doesn't remember a time when the community had so many individual needs.
“One of the blessings of the pandemic and the limitations brought about by the hurricanes has been that the students and teachers have been able to focus on their Catholic faith in little ways every day,” said Jarreau.
Echoing that statement, O’Quin said, “Faith and carrying on the ministry of Jesus is the model for a Catholic education. We are very mission focused. Our teachers are teachers, but this is their vocation, their passion,” O’Quin continued. “They are here because they see the value of Catholic education. They see the love, the support, and the community we are building for these children.”
Jarreau agrees saying, “When they are teaching to the whole child — spirit, mind and body — teachers are helping to form the child into a bigger purpose than just academics. They are helping children become the person God created them to be.”
To highlight Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Glen John Provost will be the celebrant at two Masses in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. St. Louis High seniors will attend at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3; and eighth graders in the diocese will attend at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 4. In prior years, one liturgy was held, but COVID-19 restrictions have altered the traditional format.
Other Catholic schools in the diocese include Our Lady Immaculate in Jennings and Our Lady’s School in Sulphur.
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National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Since 1974, it begins on the last Sunday in January and runs all week. Daily themes for the week are: Sunday — Celebrating Our Parish; Monday — Celebrating Our Community; Tuesday — Celebrating Our Students; Wednesday — Celebrating the Nation; — Thursday — Celebrating Vocations; Friday — Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers; and Saturday — Celebrating Families.
