Catholic Schools Week to Highlight Faith, Fellowship, and Community at Colby Sacred Heart

Catholic Schools Week will begin Sunday, January 25, at Colby Sacred Heart School, launching a weeklong celebration of faith, community, and education that school leaders hope will bring families, parish members, and the broader community together.

The national observance, held annually across Catholic schools in the United States, serves as a time to highlight the mission of Catholic education while opening school doors to the public. At Colby Sacred Heart School, Principal Troy Langdon said the week functions much like a homecoming for the school, combining spiritual reflection with activities that showcase the close-knit culture of the campus.

Langdon, now in his second year as principal, said Sacred Heart’s strength lies in its small class sizes and community-based approach. With enrollment hovering just under 100 students, the school maintains an average class size of about 15 students, allowing staff to focus closely on individual growth while reinforcing faith-based values throughout the school day.

Catholic Schools Week will open with a community-wide kickoff on Sunday morning, beginning with 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Following Mass, parishioners and guests are invited to gather in the church basement for a pizza meal, with attendees encouraged to bring a dessert or side to share. The celebration will then continue at the Colby Event Center, where Sacred Heart students will attend Colby Community College basketball games, sing the national anthem, and take part in halftime activities.

Events throughout the week are intentionally designed to be welcoming beyond just current families. Langdon emphasized that many activities are open to grandparents, extended family members, and community supporters, reflecting the school’s emphasis on inclusion and shared participation.

Monday’s schedule includes an 8 a.m. Mass followed by Breakfast and Bingo in the school gym, with grandparents and family members invited to attend. Students will also participate in “Crowned with Christ” by wearing their favorite hats for the day. Tuesday brings “Duplicate or Triplicate Disciples Day,” encouraging students to dress alike with friends as a symbol of discipleship, capped by an all-school Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament at 3 p.m. that families are welcome to watch.

Thursday will take students and staff to Oakley for Mass with the bishop, continuing a long-standing partnership with neighboring Catholic schools. Friday will conclude the week with “Comfy for Christ,” allowing students to wear school-appropriate pajamas after 8 a.m. Mass, followed by a students versus parents and teachers Catholic trivia competition in the gym.

While the week focuses on celebration, Langdon also noted that Sacred Heart continues to look ahead. The school is currently seeking a preschool teacher and has early-stage discussions about expanding its grade offerings in the future, though those plans remain in the exploratory phase. Additionally, plans have been approved for a new rectory to house multiple priests serving the region, a project Langdon described as a positive step for both parish life and community connection.

Above all, Langdon said Catholic Schools Week is about opening the school’s doors and sharing what Sacred Heart stands for. He encouraged community members to attend events throughout the week, noting that the school values visibility, fellowship, and the opportunity to celebrate faith together.

by Derek White