This week, Catholic schools nationwide are sharing what a Catholic education is all about.
There are 10 Catholic schools in Monroe County. Each school works with families to share school pride and help them find the right school for them.
Holy Cross School in Rochester has a lot of special events planned this week. There are special masses, art, book fair, Grandparents Day, a pep rally, and more.
Melissa Urban graduated from Holy Cross in 1992.
"We are fourth-generation here at Holy Cross. Our grandparents went here, and we couldn’t be more proud to send our children here today. All the traditions that we experienced as kids, they are experiencing now. Nothing's changed," said Urban. "It is such a community here and we are blessed to be a part of it. There is such a spirit of giving and a sense of community and it’s a family or families as what they call it and it’s very true."
Katie Barbone is a Holy Cross alumna from the class of 1995.
"I went here, my dad went here, my siblings went here, and my kids go here. Melissa and I grew up together in Charlotte, and the community feel just continues on, and for it to be a faith-based community and teaching our kids the value and all the generations, we welcome all and it’s nice to keep our family expanding," Barbone said.
Lauren Bates spent 30 years at Kodak, but always wanted to be a teacher. She has been a sixth-grade teacher at Holy Cross for four years.
"I always wanted to be a teacher, and my first teaching job I was right here at Holy Cross," said Bates. "I just feel very blessed. Faith-based education is number one, it really is a priority. God loves them and they are created for a reason, and they need to go out and spread the good news."
Jackie Mango is a sixth-grader at Holy Cross. She was born in Africa. She is one of about 25 refugees who attend Holy Cross School this year.
"What I enjoy about Holy Cross is that it is a welcoming community, and we’ve got opportunities that we haven’t gotten before," said Mango. "The people who I have met, it made me who I am today, and I have such kind friends."