Where It All Begins at St. Catherine's

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

At Saint Catherine of Siena in Norwood, MA

According to Rev. Stephen Donohoe, Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Norwood, MA, “The essential reality of grace is our greatest curriculum here at St. Catherine School. While achieving the highest standards of education, it is this curriculum of grace, which distinguishes our school from other fine educational institutions.” Saint Catherine of Siena School is a strong Catholic community deeply committed to the academic, spiritual, emotional, and social growth of each of its students and lives out that message in a number of concrete ways. Mrs. Mary Russo, Principal of Saint Catherine School said, “Together the parish and the school prepare students to be Catholic leaders in the Church and in the world by remaining true to the mission of a Catholic school in which everything is centered on Christ.” Both the Pastor and the Principal remind children frequently during the year that their greatest teacher is Jesus.

One important element is building a spirit of community through deeply involving the students in prayer and worship. Students lead Morning Prayer each day, participate in weekly Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, and attend the Sunday Family Mass serving as altar servers, lectors, gift bearers, and leaders in song. During Advent and Lent, they have opportunities for individual confessions and participate in the Living Stations of the Cross. The Pastor and priests of the parish are a visible presence in and out of the classroom and caring and dedicated teachers insure students learn about their faith in daily religion classes that build upon the domestic church of the home. The Virtues in Practice curriculum (presently in its second year) teaches Catholic virtues through the lives of the saints. Through the Annual May Procession, and most recently a parish wide Corpus Christi Mass, Procession, and Benediction, they brought their faith beyond the walls of the school and into the neighborhood.

Students can also translate their faith into action through parish and community service projects. Students in the Middle School are encouraged to be active Catholic leaders by sponsoring school wide activities that model faith and leadership among their younger classmates. These include collecting coats and socks for the homeless, donating books to inner-city schools, contributing food items to the Norwood Food Pantry, acknowledging the sacrifices of our local first responders, and honoring Veterans with an annual breakfast. Other projects involve sending cards, letters, and drawings to those retired or still active in military service, retired priests and patients in local hospitals. Christmas gifts to Catholic Relief Services for the victims of natural disasters throughout the world or for a local family in need are similar projects led by students and faculty in Saint Catherine of Siena School. Because the school has students from Pre-School to Grade 8, students at upper grades pair with students from younger grades to build a relationship throughout the school year and serve as role models for younger students. These special experiences strengthen the bonds within the Saint Catherine of Siena community.

Do the connections established within the school-parish community go beyond the school years and bear fruit in the future? Does the work of the school live on in the ministries of the parish, drawing others to Christ and His Church? Alums frequently go on to teach religious education classes for the parish and continue to volunteer as greeters, lectors, altar servers, members of the adult choir, and participants in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Religious education programs for children and an RCIA program for adults are also available at the parish.

Father Donohoe’s prayer is that “Christ, the Teacher, will always walk the hallways and speak in the classrooms of Saint Catherine of Siena School” and adds, “This curriculum of grace in reality is…where it all begins.”

If you are interested in a quality education for your child that allows for the development of his/her full potential – academically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially, then Saint Catherine of Siena School in Norwood, MA is the right place for your child. Why not plan to attend an upcoming Open House on Wednesday, October 17 from 6-7 p.m. or Sunday, October 21 from 12-1 p.m! We still have openings in our 2.9 Pre-School Program. Please contact the school if you are interested in the current year or in the 2019-2020 school year: Mrs. Linda Canniff, Director of Admissions at 781-769-5354, ext. 262 or at admissions@scsnorwood.org.