SANFORD — In celebration of Maine Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, students at St. Thomas School in Sanford will participate in a number of special and memorable activities each day, but it’s the weeklong collections that faculty hope will make an indelible impact.

“We will be collecting sheets and blankets for the York County Shelter Program in Alfred, food and monetary donations for the Sanford Food Pantry, and money and school supplies for our sister parish’s school in Haiti,” said Donna Jacques, principal at St. Thomas.

The children will also spend part of the week creating Valentine cards for residents at local nursing homes.

“Our students have a great awareness of the importance of serving those in need,” said Jacques.

St. Thomas will hold an opening prayer service on Monday, Jan. 29, at 9:30 a.m.; a schoolwide Mass on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 9:15 a.m. at Holy Family Church; and lots of field trips and contests during the week.

Maine Catholic Schools Week celebrates the mission of Catholic Schools: to evangelize students by nourishing faith and encouraging academic excellence while accentuating the importance of community and service in a nurturing environment.

For a look at activities and projects taking place at other Catholic schools in Maine during Catholic Schools Week, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/CSW2018.