Bishop Deenihan: Catholic schools serve society and the common good
Catholic schools will celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2026 on January 18-24, with the theme ‘Normal Lives, Called to Holiness’.
The annual celebration of Catholic education is an invitation to pupils, families, including grandparents, and the whole school community to share and acknowledge the value that Catholic schools contribute to our daily lives.
Reflecting on this year’s CSW theme, Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, and chair of the Council for Education of the Irish Bishops Conference, said: “I am looking forward to this year’s Catholic Schools Week. God has blessed us all with gifts to make the world a better place. Catholics are also called to holiness, which simply means: bringing God’s love into our actions every day.
“Catholic school communities nurture students to help them realise their full potential, and to put their gifts at the service of others, following the example of Jesus.
“I offer my blessing to primary and secondary students, staff, parents and grandparents who planned and will participate in Catholic Schools Week.”
Bishop Deenihan said generations of people have benefited from Catholic schools, “and our society is all the better for their contribution to the common good”.
“Catholic schools make this unique contribution to society, precisely because they are Catholic, and all the more so when they consciously live out their ethos.
“Our schools, following the example of Jesus, serve every person regardless of creed, background, faith, social status or age. Jesus showed those around Him how our Heavenly Father is compassionate, courageous and forgiving by His own actions.”
Bishop Deenihan will celebrate Mass for Catholic Schools Week 2026 at 11am in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, on Sunday January 25. The Mass will be broadcast live on RTÉ One.
Catholic Schools Week
From this Sunday, each day of Catholic Schools Week will focus on a particular aspect of everyday holiness.
Monday will explore holiness through prayer, helping children understand prayer as a living relationship with God.
Tuesday will focus on love and friendship, inspired by Jesus’s commandment to love one another.
Wednesday, traditionally marked as Grandparents Day, will celebrate family life and the role of grandparents in handing on faith across generations.
On Thursday, schools will reflect on holiness through service and courage, highlighting examples of self-giving love and standing up for what is right.
The week will conclude on Friday with a focus on joy and mission, encouraging pupils to see themselves as joyful witnesses to the Gospel in the world.
The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2026 also draws on the words of Pope Leo XIV, who recently affirmed that, “the saints show us that holiness is not about escape from the world, but deep engagement with it in the Spirit of Christ”.