Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy, North Floral Park, kicked off Catholic Schools Week with a blessing and visit from Auxiliary Bishop James Massa, Jan. 29.
The bishop blessed the students and thanked the teachers for their work. Students had been working on decorations all school year and were very proud to finally be able to show off all of their work. He told the students he considered them all family and was excited to meet them.
“The diversity of the school is amazing to see,” said Bishop Massa. “The school is made up of students or children of people that have come from many countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, all over Europe and many other places.
True Meaning of Being Catholic
“Our whole world is present here and to see their faith and how they can all be part of the Church together shows the true meaning of being Catholic.”
The bishop praised the multi-media approach used at Our Lady of the Snows. Computer classes start in pre-kindergarten. Students have access to computers everyday and use them for new and exciting programs to further their education.
He praised the importance that so many parents put on the value of Catholic education.
“So many parents have wanted to pass on their Catholic faith and many immigrants have wanted their children to be able to grow up and take their place in society, which they learned here in the Catholic schools,” he said. “We see the importance of the Catholic faith and what this week means for so many programs.”
Principal Joseph Venticinque was excited to begin Catholic Schools Week.
“We are so proud of all the work we have done all year and are so happy to have Bishop Massa here,” he said.
“It is a true blessing to see all of our hard work paying off. Seeing the students today and how excited they were when Bishop Massa was interacting with them and getting to know them you can see they truly do appreciate his presence and how excited they are.”
Our Lady of the Snows had scheduled a busy week with an Open House and Spirit Day on Tuesday. Wednesday was a Disney-themed dress down day with money being raised for “Give Kids the World Village” Foundation. Friday was Student and Teacher Appreciation Day with a Career Day Assembly.
Father Kevin McBrien, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows parish, accompanied Bishop Massa during his visit.
“I always find this to be an exciting time to showcase what we strive to do for all the Catholic schools,” said Father McBrien.
“Knowing these children will be able to take from what they learn here to go on and be prepared for so many challenges in life is great.
“We are celebrating, being thankful and looking to the future of not only these children but for the entire Catholic faith.”
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the other auxiliary bishops of the diocese were visiting other Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens during Catholic Schools Week.
