A long time ago – in a kingdom far, far away – Catholic schools simply opened their doors and watched piles of children in their khaki uniforms and plaid skirts squeeze through the doors to greet Sister Majella and receive a transformative Catholic education.

Last fall, when Michael Buisson III created his own spin on George Rodrigue’s “Blue Dog,” his favorite element was a small tombstone cross he had painted into a cemetery scene of the famous canine. That cross, shaded by the St. Francis Xavier seventh grader to 3-D perfection, was the inspiration for the much larger cross that will dominate the banner hanging inside Lakeside Shopping Center during the Catholic Schools Week Arts and Music Festival, Jan. 27-Feb. 1.

We’re going to meet and discuss it with our stakeholders and then try to get a decision within the next 30 days. It’s important for people to understand that  even if the archdiocesan plan is adopted by the schools, it doesn’t affect anyone’s plans to attend any of these schools for the next academic school year.

A used uniform business. A computer with a built-in printer. Armpit pads to help eliminate stains on clothing. A business that would teach grandmothers how to use technology. Fast-food container recycling.

The reality of the strategic plan for the future of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, released in May 2013, hit home in many schools Jan. 14 when those that asked for an exemption to the grade-level structure of the plan received word that exceptions would not be granted.

Discalced Carmelite Sister Catherine Arceneaux’s baptismal name was Teresa, and she says “my vocation began here. I have called you by name, you are mine.” Her community will join her in celebrating 50 years as a Carmelite with a jubilee Mass Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. at the Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace, 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette.

Mother Mary Agnes Donovan, superior general of the New York-based Sisters of Life, told the 15th annual Proudly Pro-Life Dinner Jan. 16 that women, because of their “maternal heart,” have the power to reverse the abortion culture.

An increase in the number of students on state scholarships was seen this year in local Catholic schools after the state expanded the Louisiana Student Scholarship for Educational Excellence Program to include all parishes.

BATON ROUGE, La. – In advance of the national Right to Life March in Washington, D.C., 2,500 pro-life advocates marched to the State Capitol Jan. 18 to decry the proposed construction of a regional Planned Parenthood abortion facility in New Orleans and to promote the life-giving option of adoption.

Who am I? What is God’s mission/vocation for me in life? Questions like these are delved into weekly with high school juniors and seniors involved in Ignite, a discernment formation program through the Archdiocese of New Orleans Vocations Office and Dumb Ox Productions.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Jan. 25-Feb. 2 SCHOOLS ST. ANN, open house for prospective students and parents for the 2014-15 school year,  Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m., cafeteria, 4921 Meadowdale St., Metairie.

➤ Age: 29 ➤ Seminary year: Fourth Theology, Notre Dame Seminary ➤ Home Parish: Our Lady of the Lake, Mandeville ➤ Elementary School: Our Lady of the Lake School ➤ High School: St. Paul’s School ➤ College: Texas A&M University ➤ Confirmation Saint: St. Sebastian ➤ Why did you choose this saint?

Jan. 22, 2014, marks 41 years. Forty-one years of disregard for the sanctity of life. Forty-one years of deceit and harm to women. Forty-one years too many. Approximately 56 million lives have been taken since the monumental Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973.

He already is one of the greatest players in NFL history. That somehow a win in Super Bowl XVLIII is needed to cement the legacy of Peyton Manning is, well, foolish. All you have to do is take the before and after pictures of the two franchises that Manning has quarterbacked to the Super Bowl.

Former New Orleans Saint Pat Swilling knows an athlete when he sees one. But when 13-year-old Bruce Jordan walked into the St. Dominic School gym to try out for his AAU basketball team, Swilling wasn’t aware that this athlete would be a future son as well.

¿Nos podría actualizar con el proceso en que responde el Vaticano la encuesta sobre la atención pastoral de la familia? ¿Recibió una buena respuesta de la gente en la arquidiócesis? Estoy muy agradecido con el número de personas que respondieron a la encuesta que se utilizará para ayudar a que el Vaticano se prepare para el Sínodo sobre la familia en octubre.

The Loyola University New Orleans College of Law will celebrate its 100-year anniversary by honoring one of its most important and influential graduates, former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu ’52, J.D.

Christians facing difficulties and discrimination, especially in the Middle East, can learn a valuable lesson from Japanese Christians who survived by clandestinely baptizing, praying and hiding during 250 years of harsh persecution, Pope Francis said.

It was in USA Today, so it had to be true. Last August, Katie Lentz, a sophomore public health major at Tulane University, was driving to Sunday morning church services when a drunk driver on a Missouri farmland highway lost control of his truck, crossed the median and plowed head-on into her car.

One of the major results of the strategic plan for Catholic schools was to establish a consistent grade-level structure for elementary and secondary schools. Why was this so important? Our discussions about grade-level structure were very involved over the last two years, but I dare say variations of this conversation have been taking place for the last 45 or 50 years.