Sue Sitter/PCT Staff at Little Flower Catholic School pose for a photo before they kick off National Catholic Schools Week. From back left are Sister Mary Ruth Hahn, Glenda Mack, Deb Zwingel, Deacon Jonathan Brewer, Nancy Follman, Mary Jo Bohl, Laura Swanson and the Rev. Frank Miller. In front from left are Rita Mitzel, Bethany Mack, Sister Jean Louise Schafer, Julie Mosher and Melissa Benson.

Sledding and dress-up days combined with works of faith to help Little Flower Catholic School mark National Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 30 through Feb. 4.

Although the school canceled its traditional carnival at the start of the week for a third year in a row due to COVID and other concerns, the celebration went on with the same spirit of fun and service among staff, parents and students.

Sister Jean Louise Schafer, who teaches religion and works in the school library, said, “We’re really happy to celebrate Catholic Schools Week again. This is an annual celebration recognizing the tremendous contributions of Catholic education not only to individual children, but also to our whole country, to our whole society.”

Beginning Jan. 30, each day had a theme centered on faith. With the theme “Faith in our Parish,” Sunday kicked the week off with Mass dedicated to National Catholic Schools Week.

Students celebrated faith with faculty, staff and volunteers on Jan. 31 by serving muffins. They changed their usual Monday by wearing clothing items inside out. To show faith in their community on Feb. 1, students made cards and said prayers of thanks for businesses supporting Little Flower School and the community. Students also took advantage of a break in the blustery weather to go on a sledding adventure and dressed up in camouflage clothing and hats. On Wednesday, teachers showed their faith in Little Flower’s students, who added fun to the day by wearing their pajamas to school.

On Feb. 3, students showed their faith in vocations by donating pantry items for the home of the parish’s Franciscan Nuns.

“The donation is going on all week, actually,” said Sister Mary Ruth Hahn, smiling.

Students also devoted the day and week to a project called “Coins for a Cause,” by collecting coins to send to the Sisters of St. Francis, who work to help impoverished orphans in their mission in Brazil.

Students dressed in sports garb and enjoyed an ice-skating party at Al Wentz Arena. Friday’s theme was “Faith in our Nation.” Students said special prayers for the United States at Mass. Students showed their school spirit by dressing in Little Flower School colors. They also enjoyed a raffle drawing, pizza and a movie together.

Schafer said this year’s celebration held extra meaning for Little Flower School. “We’re excited because this is the 80th year of our school. It started in 1942, and our Franciscan Sisters have been serving here since 1942 – different sisters over the years. It’s an exciting year and an exciting week for us.”

Schafer said the school had no plans yet to celebrate its 80th birthday.

“We’ve mentioned it but we haven’t really made any plans yet,” Schafer said.

Schafer noted the parish community “has been so good to us over these past 80 years. I know that our sisters have talked about the challenges of keeping the school and every decade, it seems there have been people who’ve said, ‘Oh, I don’t know if Little Flower School can continue.’ But it’s been going for 80 years and we see now the tremendous support of the people in the community.

“I just think about all the renovations that the parents came in and did. Many volunteers helped with them last summer,” Schafer added. “We got new lighting, a new paint job, a new chair lift and we got many improvements in our school. So, that shows us that the people in the community of Rugby and the surrounding parishes, even, are happy to be a part of Little Flower School.”