Catholic Schools Week: Faith in Action Across the Diocese of Erie
By Allison Mosier02/03/2026
From classrooms and parish halls to cathedrals and community centers, Catholic Schools Week 2026 unfolded across the Diocese of Erie as a living witness to faith, service and the power of belonging. Guided by the theme “United in Faith and Community,” schools across all 13 counties opened their doors and their hearts, celebrating not only academic excellence but the formation of young people rooted in prayer, family and compassion.
Midweek, the diocesan celebration gathered around the altar. On Wednesday, January 28, Bishop Lawrence Persico celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Peace School in Erie for students in grades five through eight from the Erie Catholic School System and Mother Teresa Academy. The following morning, he presided at Mass at St. Peter Cathedral for the Cathedral Preparatory School community. In both liturgies, the bishop reminded students that Catholic education is not simply about what they learn, but who they are becoming—young people called to carry Christ’s love into every place they go.
Across the diocese, families, parish communities and educators worked side by side to keep the spirit of the week alive. Classrooms became places of prayer and creativity, hallways filled with student-led service projects and parish campuses welcomed neighbors through open houses and school tours. Teachers and staff guided students through moments of reflection, mentorship and celebration, reinforcing the role of Catholic schools as partners with families in forming the whole child—mind, heart and spirit.
One example of that spirit was seen at St. Leo School, where students hosted grandparents for a shared meal prepared by parent volunteers. The gathering brought generations together around the table, highlighting the role of family as the first teachers of faith and the foundation of every Catholic school community.
Beyond a single campus, Catholic Schools Week reached every corner of the diocese. In Clarion, Warren, Lucinda and DuBois, open houses welcomed prospective families to tour classrooms, meet educators and experience the faith-filled environment that defines Catholic education. Student ambassadors led tours, younger and older students partnered in activities like Book Bingo and community celebrations, and parishioners joined school families in prayer and fellowship.
Service remained a constant thread. In Clearfield, students assembled comfort bags for local nursing homes and gathered for a community luminary prayer walk, turning winter evenings into a path of light and intercession for their neighbors. In St. Marys, cereal collections became both a creative schoolwide display and a gift to the local food bank, teaching students that generosity, even in small acts, can have a lasting impact
At Cathedral Prep, the week blended prayer, outreach and recognition, from campus ministry gatherings and moments of adoration to assemblies honoring students, teachers and staff for their leadership and commitment to excellence.
Behind the scenes, the Catholic Schools Office played a vital role in supporting and unifying these efforts across the region. Superintendent Jim Gallagher and Assistant Superintendent Laura Blake worked closely with school leaders to ensure a shared vision of faith formation, academic strength and community connection guided each celebration, reinforcing the diocesan mission in every classroom and parish partnership.
“Our Catholic schools unite faith, learning and community, helping students grow not only in knowledge, but in their relationship with Christ. I am deeply grateful for the clergy, educators, families and parish communities who make our schools vibrant centers of faith and formation,” said Bishop Lawrence T. Persico.
As Catholic Schools Week came to a close, what remained was more than a series of events. It was a portrait of a diocesan family united by purpose—teachers and educators who serve as daily witnesses to faith, families who walk alongside their children in learning and prayer and parish communities that open their doors in welcome. Across the Diocese of Erie, Catholic education continues to shape not only minds, but the future of communities grounded in hope, compassion and a shared commitment to walk together in faith.
Jim Gallagher, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Erie, echoed that gratitude in a message to the diocesan community, writing that Catholic schools are “more than places of learning. They are communities rooted in faith, where students are formed academically, spiritually and morally,” and affirming the vital partnership between educators, families and parishes in helping young people deepen their relationship with Christ and learn what it means to serve others with compassion and integrity.
Additional photos can be found here.
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