As Christmas approaches, the Advent season invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what truly matters. At Erie Catholic, this time of year offers a meaningful opportunity to give thanks for the gift of community and the shared mission that unites our system. Advent is a season rooted in hope, anticipation, and quiet preparation. Across every campus, these values come to life each day as students grow not only in knowledge and skill, but in compassion, generosity, and faith. Our classrooms, hallways, and prayer spaces reflect a commitment to educating the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—while helping students understand the deeper meaning of the season. The Christmas story reminds us that God chose to enter the world in humility and love, bringing light into the darkness and hope to every home. This message sits at the heart of Catholic education and guides our work as we partner with families to form young people who are grounded in faith, kindness, and service to others. This season is also a time of gratitude. We are thankful for the dedicated faculty and staff who serve our students with care, the families who place their trust in our system, and the broader community that supports Erie Catholic through prayer, encouragement, and engagement. As we look toward the new year, we do so with optimism and purpose. Important work is underway to strengthen our system, deepen connections across our campuses, and ensure that every student and family feels supported, valued, and proud to be part of Erie Catholic. May this holy season bring peace, joy, and rest to all those we serve. From all of us at Erie Catholic, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year filled with hope and promise!

Throughout October, Catholics around the world honor Mary, our Blessed Mother, through the devotion of the Holy Rosary. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and draw closer to Jesus through the eyes and heart of His mother—a gentle reminder that prayer connects us, strengthens us, and brings peace to our hearts and homes. Last week, the Erie Catholic School System came together as one faith-filled community to pray the Rosary virtually. From classrooms across all five campuses, students, teachers, and leaders joined in prayer, each taking a decade of the Rosary as we lifted our intentions to God. The virtual Rosary was a beautiful expression of unity where voices, young and old, came together in rhythm and reverence. Each decade was led by a different campus, creating a living example of what it means to be one system rooted in faith and love for Christ and His Mother. “As our students prayed, they were reminded that every “Hail Mary” is a small act of love, a chance to quiet our hearts, to listen, and to grow in faith together,” said Travis Washko, president of Erie Catholic. “These moments, though brief, form the foundation of a lifelong relationship with God.” The Power of the Rosary at Home The Rosary is sometimes called “the Gospel on a string.” Each decade invites us to meditate on the life of Jesus and Mary—His birth, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. Praying it together as a family can be a meaningful way to bring faith into daily life. Here are a few ways families can keep the spirit of the Rosary alive at home: Start small: Pray one decade together before bedtime or dinner. Even a few minutes of prayer can bring peace and closeness. Make it meaningful: Invite each family member to share an intention for their decade, like someone they want to pray for or something they’re thankful for. Create a sacred space: Light a candle or place a small statue or image of Mary nearby to help center your family in prayer. Pray on the go: The Rosary can be prayed in the car on the way to school, while taking a walk together, or wherever your day takes you. As the final prayers echoed through our classrooms, the quiet reverence of our students lifting their voices together served as a powerful reminder of who we are and what binds us. In a world that moves quickly, moments like this slow us down and re-center us on what matters most. May the peace of the Rosary continue to fill our hearts and homes long after October ends, reminding us that when we pray together, we grow together in faith and love as one Erie Catholic community.