HAVERHILL - Firefighters, City Hall workers, the mayor and dozens of local businesses received an unexpected treat yesterday. More than a dozen parents, along with their children, from Sacred Hearts School in Bradford dropped in bearing baskets of homemade baked goods along with handmade thank-you cards.

For parents and children at Sacred Hearts, it was their way of sharing in their blessings as they celebrate Catholic Schools Week this week, a national celebration of Catholic education.

"We're lighting the way for everyone," said Joshua DiMattia, 11, who visited several local businesses with his brothers Ryan, 9, Nicholas, 6, and their father, Marc DiMattia.

This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week is Catholic Schools Light the Way.

St. Joseph School of All Saints Parish in Haverhill kicked off the celebrations with an opening Mass on Saturday, followed by a spaghetti supper in the church hall that evening.

Yesterday was a community day at St. Joseph and featured birthday bags for the church food pantry and an American Indian presentation for students.

Today is student day, and features a bird of prey presentation and a rosary for peace. Wednesday is Nation Day at St. Joseph and will be highlighted by a drive to collect DVDs for military personnel. Thursday is Vocation Day and will feature games for students. Friday is Faculty and Staff Volunteer Day. Parents can eat lunch with their children. Guest speaker at St. Joseph will be weather forecaster Matt Noyes. Saturday will feature a Lowell Devils hockey game fundraiser for the school.

Sacred Hearts School launched the celebrations on Sunday with Masses featuring student presentations centered on the theme of "light." Yesterday, students delivered baskets of baked goods to 50 of their school's local supporters.

Today Sacred Hearts is hosting a schoolwide assembly and prayer service featuring guest speakers. The school will host an open house Wednesday, followed by various off-site student events on Thursday. Teacher Appreciation Day is Friday and features a lunch sponsored by the parent-teacher organization. Throughout the week, students at Sacred Hearts will go on field trips to the movies, candlepin bowling and to Skateland for roller skating.