This Sunday, we celebrate two events. First is the closing of the World Y outh Day that began on January 22nd, in Panama, and second is the celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

Refreshing our memory, World Y outh Day began its celebration in 1984 at the close of the Holy Year of Redemption when Pope John Paul II, who is now a saint, invited young people around the world for an International Jubilee of Youth on Palm Sunday at St. Peter’s Square in Rome. With over 300,000 young people from around the world who responded, he looked out to the crowds and said, “What a fantastic spectacle is presented on this stage by your gathering here today! Who claimed that todays’ youth has lost their sense of values? Is it really true that they cannot be counted on?” It was at this gathering that the Holy Father entrusted to the youth what is now known as the World Youth Day Cross, to be carried throughout the world as a symbol of the love of Christ for humanity. Since then, every year World Y outh Day has been celebrated from one hosting country to the other until 2013, when it became every three years. Youth from all over the world participate and enjoy the time of togetherness in prayer, fellowship and other religious activities.

This is one of the legacies that Pope John Paul II left for the youth which His successors, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis, has faithfully continued, carrying on the hope of their predecessor for the youth of the world, commissioning them as Christ’s disciples to be faithful living witnesses. And I think that is always the constant invitation and challenge for all our youth today.

Now as to the observance of the Catholic Schools Week, we have three students from Mary Queen of Apostles School, New Kensington to speak on behalf of our Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Greensburg and share their experiences. Their parents will accompany them and they will be more than happy to talk to you after the mass if you have some questions and inquiries.

The theme for this Catholic Schools Week 2019 is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.