Why Choose Catholic Schools
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How Our Students Keep Christ in Christmas
Blessed Francis Seelos Academy -
The excitement of the Christmas Season is magnified at Seelos Academy with daily reminders to students of the upcoming celebration of the Birth of Christ. The beginning of Advent is celebrated on the Feast of Saint Nicholas Day with surprise visits from the host parish’s Gold Club. (Read more about this special tradition here). Older students learn to be leaders in the church by taking turns preparing the Monday morning Advent prayer services and younger students reenact the Holy Day in Bethlehem with a special representation. Traditional hymns of the season like O Come O Come Emmanuel and Silent Night are sung by the choirs and played at band concerts throughout the month in anticipation of this blessed Holy Day.
Blessed Trinity Academy -
The season of Christmas at Blessed Trinity Academy begins on Light Up Night, when our band and children’s choir perform at the dedication of the Creche in downtown Pittsburgh. This event signifies the start of the holiday season and is a continual reminder that the Birth of Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. BTA’s mission is to instill Catholic values in our students and during the Christmas season our school incorporates this into their education in the following ways:- Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- The Los Posadas Christmas play performed by our 4th-grade students
- A Birthday Party for Jesus hosted by our Pre-K students
- BTA’s Day of Service, where families are invited to ring the bells for the Salvation Army
- Themed Dress Down Days to raise money for Genesis House and Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh
- Our Band, Choir, and Music Classes performances of holiday music
Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy -
At CDTCA, we are “Nurturing Faith, Inspiring Excellence” while we keep Christ at the center of our school day. A strong religious curriculum is paired with students attending weekly mass, participating in meaningful service projects, and showing our faith in community events. In December, we display our Catholicism by performing a live nativity at Aspinwall’s Light Up Night and by decorating the tree and singing carols at our local hospital. CDTCA students recognize the value of leading a Christ-centered life both in and out of the classroom.
Holy Cross Academy -
Holy Cross Academy is feeling the Christmas cheer as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. We keep Christ in Christmas as we do all things, during our weekly Mass. Our students will light the Advent wreath candles every week before Christmas. Our mission begins with “Rooted in Gospel values” and helps us keep Jesus’ spirit present. The Feast of St. Nicholas Day is celebrated by him visiting our students and surprising them with treats. Hear our younger students sing and our band play at our Christmas concert, and students can shop the special treasures in our Santa shop. Our students also participate in our host Parish’s Knight’s of Columbus poster contest, focusing on how they Keep Christ in Christmas. The season wraps up before break by our 4th-grade class as they present the play, "We Bring Our Light" to grades Pre-K through 8th in celebration of the night of Jesus' birth. Students will also visit our neighbors at the Northland Senior Center and sing Christmas carols to them to help brighten their season and make candy cane gifts for the residents of Kane Community Center.
St. James School -
St. James keeps Christ in Christmas, starting with celebrating the Advent Season. Each week, the students attend Mass, light the candle on the Advent Wreath, and reflect on the joy of the Christmas season. St. Nicholas leaves treats for the students along with the story of the tradition of giving during the Christmas season. Students shop for festive holiday gifts for family and friends at the annual St. James Christmas Shop. At Light-Up night, students present a Living Nativity. The 7th and 8th grade students collect food donations for the local food pantry.
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