CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK BY SERVING THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
January 24, 2025  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Archdiocesan Catholic elementary and high schools across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, spanning Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week from January 26 – February 1, by putting this year’s theme “Schools: United in Faith and Community” into action by giving back to their communities especially those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. For over 50 years, Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States which includes an array of special Masses, open houses, and activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members.

“Catholic Schools Week has been a tradition for more than 50 years in the United States,” said Paul M. Escala, Senior Director and Superintendent of Schools. “This year, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles celebrates our school ministry by highlighting the inspiring stories of our community who are reflecting their faith through acts of charity. After the recent wildfires that devastated our city and impacting over 1,000 Catholic school students attending 50 different campuses throughout Los Angeles, our students, staff and families are coming together to support those families suffering with tremendous loss. These works demonstrate the strength of our commitment to God and to one another.”

Catholic Schools Week events will include:   

  • Monday, January 27, St. Thomas the Apostle School  (Los Angeles) “Celebrating Our Community Day” Students will hold a week-long “Blanket Drive” and will make thank you cards for community partners (LADP, LAFD, LACity, etc.) from 9am-10am
  • Tuesday, January 28, Incarnation Parish School (Glendale) “Celebrating Community Workers Day” Students are invited to a morning assembly where they will hear about the different careers within the community.
  • Wednesday, January 29, St. Andrew Catholic School  (Pasadena) “Community Day: $5 Dress Down Day” All proceeds will go toward our SAS Fire relief fund. Faith families from 1:30-2:30pm thank you card making for firefighters, police officers, and first responders.
  • Thursday, January 30, St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy (Downey) “Community Day” Donut box delivery to local partner school and supportive organizations from 8:30am- 10:30am. Students will create care kits to give to local shelter or organization in need  during lunch from 12:45pm- 1:30pm.
  • Friday, January 31, Holy Angels Elementary School (Arcadia) will hold their annual Jog-a-thon event from 8:00am to 12:00pm with a portion of the proceeds going to St. Elizabeth’s in Altadena which was damaged by the Eaton Fire. Prayer and blessing of invited local first responders will take place followed by them taking part in the first lap.

The Archdiocese’s regional auxiliary bishops will also celebrate Mass at the following Catholic Schools: Bishop Marc V. Trudeau, San Pedro Pastoral Region – St. Paul High School (Santa Fe Springs) on Monday, January 27, at 9:00 a.m., Bishop Brian A. Nunes, San Gabriel Pastoral Region – Bishop Amat Memorial High School (La Puente) on Tuesday, January 28, at 11:30 a.m., and Bishop Slawomir S. Szkredka, Santa Barbara Pastoral Region – St. Anthony’s School Oxnard (Santa Barbara) on Wednesday, January 29 at 10 a.m.

Established in 1851, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are the largest provider of faith-based education in the nation with 252 schools serving more than 67,000 students in grades PK through 12. Catholic education is made possible through the generosity of donors. The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) granted more than 15,000 tuition awards in excess of $22,000,000 to more than 13,000 students attending over 200 schools throughout the Archdiocese. In addition, 4,441 of those awards have been issued through the New Enrollment Initiative (NEI), which is funded by an anonymous donor. NEI has made a profound impact by making a Catholic education possible for more students. Since its inception in 1987, CEF has provided more than 230,000 tuition awards in excess of $264,000,000. The mission of CEF is to provide tuition assistance to the most financially deserving students attending Catholic elementary and high schools in the Archdiocese.  

To learn more on Catholic education in the Archdiocese, visit LA Catholic Schools – Los Angeles, CA and follow instagram.com/catholicedla and facebook.com/catholicedla. For information about 2025 Catholic Schools Week (January 26 – February 1). Join the conversation, use the hashtag #CSW2025. 

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