(MCS) — Mount Carmel School, the only Catholic school in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, proudly announces the observance of Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25 to 30, 2026, following a formal proclamation signing ceremony that was held on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Mount Carmel Cathedral.
The proclamation was officially signed by Gov. David M. Apatang, declaring Catholic Schools Week throughout the Commonwealth. Bishop Romeo Convocar of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa was present to witness the occasion and offered the opening prayer, blessing the week and the Mount Carmel School community.
Also in attendance were the MCS student body and key members of the MCS leadership, including President John Blanco, Principal Filmah Buenaflor, Student Council President Seunghee Jeon, and Parent Council President Mai Mendiola, reflecting the shared commitment of the administration, students, and families to Catholic education in the Commonwealth.
In the proclamation, Governor Apatang recognized the long-standing presence and impact of Catholic education in the CNMI, tracing Mount Carmel School’s origins to Our Lady of Mercy Kindergarten in 1951, its establishment as Mount Carmel School in 1952, and the creation of a Catholic Education Office following the elevation of the Church on Saipan to a Diocese in 1985.
The proclamation further affirms the mission of Catholic schools, citing the National Catholic Educational Association’s statement that Catholic education seeks “to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel.” It recognizes Mount Carmel School’s dedication to academic excellence, faith formation, moral development, and its commitment to providing a safe, structured, and caring learning environment that nurtures each student’s God-given potential.
Special recognition was also given to Mount Carmel School’s resilience in the face of adversity: from rebuilding after Typhoon Jean in 1968 to rising again after Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018. The school remains guided by the enduring mantra: “With FAITH in God, HOPE for a better tomorrow, and LOVE for each other, we are KNIGHT STRONG. We are MARIANAS STRONG.”
Throughout the week, each day of Catholic Schools Week will highlight a different dimension of Catholic education:
• Sunday, Jan. 25: Catholic Schools in Our Parishes
• Monday, Jan. 26: Catholic Schools in Our Community
• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Catholic Schools in Our Faculty, Staff, & Volunteers
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: Catholic Schools in Our Vocations
• Thursday, Jan. 29: Catholic Schools in Our Nation
• Friday, Jan. 30: Catholic Schools in Our Students & Families
Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate the role of Catholic education in forming students rooted in faith, values, family, and service. Through prayer, service activities, student-led events, and community engagement throughout the week, Mount Carmel School joins Catholic schools nationwide in highlighting the lasting contributions Catholic education makes to both Church and society.
The proclamation encourages parents, educators, and the faithful of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa to observe Catholic Schools Week in meaningful ways that promote awareness and appreciation for the enduring values of Catholic education. These values strengthen not only students, but the wider Commonwealth community as well.
For more information about Catholic Schools Week, contact CSW Co-Chairperson and Vice Principal Zeno Deleon Guerrero Jr. at zeno.deleonguerrero@mcsknights.com or call the main office at (670) 234-6184.
About MCS
Founded in 1952, Mount Carmel School is the CNMI’s largest private K–12 Catholic institution. Guided by its mission to educate the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes, the school provides a rigorous, faith-based education that prepares students for academic success, leadership, and service to the community.
