Catholic Schools' Week – Normal Lives, Called to Holiness
23rd January 2026
Catholic Schools – Normal Lives, Called to Holiness
“Holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith.”
— Pope Francis on Blessed Carlo Acutis
Catholic Schools Week 2026 celebrates the call to holiness lived out in the midst of everyday life. Inspired by Pope Francis’s words on Blessed Carlo Acutis - this year’s theme invited pupils, staff, families, and parishes to reflect on holiness as something both universal and within everyone’s reach. Holiness is not for a select few or reserved for religious experts, but for every student, teacher, parent (and grandparent!) who seeks to live each day in friendship with Jesus Christ.
The children have embarked on activities supporting the following themes:
Monday: Called to Holiness through Prayer Holiness begins with a relationship with God. This week the children have engaged in prayer. They have held prayer services, took quiet moments to reflect and come into a deeper relationship with God.
Tuesday: Called to Holiness through Love and Friendship Holiness is lived through showing love and friendship to all, inspired by the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). In school we have discussed, drawn pictures and wrote about ways we can show love and friendship to all.
Wednesday: Called to Holiness in Family Life – Grandparents’ Theme A cherished tradition, this day honoured the vital role grandparents play in passing on the faith and in showing how holiness can be lived over a lifetime. Pupils have completed artwork, cards and poems to show how much they love their grandparents. The beautiful artwork will be on display in the Parish Hall for the next few weeks to view.
Thursday: Called to Holiness through Service and Courage The pupils explored how self-giving love and courage in the face of challenges forms part of holiness. On Thursday, the children learned about stories of saints who served the poor, forgave their enemies or stood up for what is right. They have composed prayers to ask God for strength, peace and comfort.
Friday: Called to Holiness through Joy and Mission Holiness is not grim but joyful! The final day focused on the joy of the Gospel and how young people are called to be missionary disciples who share Christ through action and word in the world. The pupils have been learning about the life of Carlos Acutis and how he lives out the gospel in his actions and words.
During Catholic Schools Week 2026, let us rejoice and echo Pope Francis’s words: “Do not be afraid to be saints!”
At Mary Queen of Peace PS, we continue to provide a faith driven community where every pupil can come to know that their life has purpose, that they are loved by God, and that they are called to holiness—not someday or somewhere else, but here and now: in the classroom, on the playground and at home.
We look forward to Friday 30th January 2026 as we celebrate our grandparents and the vital role they play in passing on the faith to our children through prayer, love, and kindness. This is a special opportunity to thank them and show our sincere appreciation for all they do for the cherished children of our school.
A truly special week for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School, celebrating all that is good about Catholic education.
Mrs L McLoughlin
RE Co-ordinator
