SEAN CHASE

sean.chase@sunmedia.ca

EGANVILLE - The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board has announced plans to celebrate Catholic Education Week from Sunday, May 6 to Friday, May 11.

The theme of this year's province-wide week-long event is "Walking in the Light of Christ."

The board's Catholic Education Week Committee sent out to all schools lesson plans, prayer and activities kits to help prepare for the upcoming celebrations.

"This is a very important week in our school year," director of education Michele Arbour said in a statement during the board's weekly meeting held at St. James Catholic School. "Each of our schools will share the gift of Catholic education with our many partners and provide a variety of community activities throughout the week."

In addition to special masses, schools have many other activities scheduled over the week. Among Pembroke and area schools, events kick off Sunday, May 6 with Cathedral Elementary Catholic School handing over a school banner to St. Columbkille's Cathedral for display during mass.

On Monday, cathedral rector Father Patrick Tait will be on hand for the opening school prayer service in the gym. Each morning prayer services will continue with special readings, reflections and prayer intentions. There will also be a living Rosary in the schoolyard on Friday.

Over at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School, they will be using classroom activities to mark the week. There will be a prayer service each morning, a living Rosary and the entire student body will make friendship bracelets.

"We also take this opportunity to celebrate our relationship with parents, the parish and our communities," said superintendent of education Jaime Perry. "We all have a role to play in the education of our students. We can all celebrate 'Walking in the Light of Christ'."

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Westmeath is planning a family Eucharist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Sunday. The students will participate in classroom activities, while the grade seven class will host a seniors' day celebration lunch.

Sean Chase is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist