As Catholic Schools Week begins this Sunday, students and teachers are ready to celebrate in a variety of ways. For the rest of us, we suggest a few homework assignments to join in the fun and grow in appreciation of the treasure we have in our midst.

First, take a good look at the special section in this week’s issue of The Catholic Post. If you see a familiar face or faces among the 79 teachers, principals and staff celebrating milestone years in Catholic education, drop them a congratulatory note in care of their school. Review the list of activities open to the public that runs throughout the section. Pick out one near you to attend, especially an open house. It will be time well spent.

At your parish Mass this weekend, if you see a Catholic school teacher, thank him or her for their devotion to Catholic education. On Facebook, post a shout-out in support of those who serve in our Catholic schools.

If you are a parent of a school-aged child, strongly consider giving them the gift of a Catholic education.

Finally, we offer a special congratulations to the St. Edward School community in Chillicothe, which will have a particularly joy-filled Catholic Schools Week in their newly restored school building. The example of that parish and community’s sacrificial response to save their school when damage to the building threatened to close it came to be known as the “Miracle in Chillicothe” and was one of the most inspiring stories of 2016 in our diocese. May it inspire even greater support for Catholic schools throughout the diocese, because their impact on our parishes, our communities, and especially our children is miraculous in countless ways, some eternal.

And that’s something to celebrate this week, and beyond. — Thomas J. Dermody