NATCHEZ &045;&045; Two local schools are taking part in a national celebration this week.

The last week in January marks the annual Catholic Schools Week for Cathedral High School and Holy Family Elementary School.

The schools kicked off the week Monday with parades, speakers and a joint mass. This year’s theme is &uot;A Faith-filled Future&uot; and for Cathedral, Monday was all about harmony.

The morning opened with a session from television broadcaster Walt Grayson. The students heard from other speakers throughout the remainder of the day. &uot;They are talking about ways to live in harmony with themselves and the world,&uot; Headmaster Pat Sanguinetti said.

Monday afternoon’s mass marked one of the few times Cathedral and Holy Family get together during the year, Sanguinetti said.

Catholic Schools Week began 35 years ago when it was declared by the president of the National Catholic Education Association. The schools celebrate the same theme, but each one can schedule different events and activities for the week.

At Holy Family the children were excited about Monday’s parade, Principal Rosa Demby said.

&uot;It’s a wonderful highlight for them,&uot; she said. &uot;They get all hyped up when they start making banners.&uot;

Other events at Holy Family will include Parents Appreciation Day today, when the parents come and eat lunch with their children, alumni and friends day and staff appreciation.

&uot;It’s so rewarding for them (the children) to walk into the cafeteria with their parents and have that meal,&uot; Demby said.

At Cathedral today is Student Appreciation Day, and the students get to wear blue jeans and teachers give no homework.

Wednesday the school will host an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and a school-board-sponsored staff dinner at 6 p.m.

Thursday there will be a community leaders luncheon, and Friday will be Staff ppreciation Day.

Demby said Catholic Schools Week gives the schools a chance to remember Jesus and remember the importance of a Catholic education.