Schools in the five-county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with Catholic schools throughout the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, January 27 through February 2, 2002. This year's national theme "Where Faith and Knowledge Meet" expresses the approach of Catholic education because faith formation underlies all aspects of Catholic education. Catholic Schools Week helps build support for Catholic schools and recognizes students, teachers, volunteers and parents of Catholic schools.


• It was mainly through the efforts of Saint John Neumann, 4th Bishop of Philadelphia, that parochial schools came into being. Two years after becoming Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852 the number of students in parochial schools in Philadelphia increased from 500 to 9,000 and Philadelphia became a leader in Catholic education in the United States.



• There are 233 schools in the Archdiocese including:
211 parish elementary schools
22 Archdiocesan high schools
100 schools in the city
133 schools in the suburbs
High schools enrollment is 23,249
Parish elementary school enrollment is 78,921

• Almost 90% of Archdiocesan high school graduates go on to college

During Catholic Schools Week, more than 100,000 students, parents and teachers throughout the five-county Archdiocese will celebrate with a variety of special religious, social and recreational activities. Below is a list of some of the activities planned.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2002
9:00 a.m. - Visitation BVM Parish Elementary School, 300 E. Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia
Catholic Schools Week opening Mass with a special presentation to Sister Jane Field, computer teacher, who was the Archdiocesan nominee for the National Catholic Education Association's Teacher of the Year. Mass is followed by a pancake breakfast.

9:00 a.m. - St. Clement Parish Elementary School, 2240 S. 71st Street, Philadelphia
Catholic Schools Week Opening Mass followed by an open house and vocations awareness displays

9:00 a.m. - St. Patrick Parish Elementary School, 210 Meredith Street, Kennett Square
9:00 a.m. Students will read a thank you essay to the parish at Mass; 10:00 a.m. Band Concert
10:00 - 12 noon - Open House

9:00 a.m. - St. Mary Magdalen Parish Elementary School, 2430 N. Providence Road, Media
9:00 a.m. Opening Mass; 10:00 a.m. Open House and Exhibit of Students' Work

12:00 noon - St. Adalbert Parish Elementary School, 3236 Edgemont Street, Philadelphia
Catholic Schools Week Opening Mass followed by an open house for parishioners. The students will collect pennies after the Masses to use for additional library books and instructional materials for the students. There also is a book fair for students to purchase books, posters, and games.

1:00 p.m. - St. Pius X High School, 844 North Keim Street, Pottstown
Open House and information day for prospective students and their families to visit the school. Program consists of academic presentations by the school's administration as well as department chairpersons, tour of the school with student guides; athletics and activities presentations.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2002
7:00 a.m. - St. Pius X High School, 844 North Keim Street, Pottstown
St. Pius X High School will be hosting local business leaders at a breakfast at the high school. Dr. Laurence Mazzeno, President of Alvernia College, will be the guest speaker.

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - St. Athanasius/Immaculate Conception Parish Elementary School, 7105 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia - Catholic Schools Week Open House

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Ss. Philip and James Parish Elementary School, 721 E. Lincoln Hwy., Exton
An all-day "Putting on the Hits" contest with students displaying talents

9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.- St. Patrick Parish Elementary School, 210 Meredith Street, Kennett Square
School Spirit Day, with games, Winter Olympics, ending with an awards assembly at 2:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Elementary School, 1523 Elkins Avenue, Abington
Career Day - guest speakers visit classrooms and discuss their careers.

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.- Sacred Heart Parish Elementary School, Wilson Ave. and Manoa Rd. , Havertown
Students from Don Guanella School, an Archdiocesan school for boys with a wide variety of disabilities, will work with students from Sacred Heart preparing crafts and doing activities.

10:00 a.m. - St. Bede the Venerable Parish Elementary School, 1053 Holland Road, Holland
Prayer Service for school students to kick off Catholic Schools Week.

10:00 a.m. - St. Mary Magdalen Parish Elementary School, 2430 N. Providence Rd., Media
Student body will honor an outstanding volunteer for service to the school.

12:45 p.m. - Holy Saviour Parish Elementary School, 400 East Airy Street, Norristown
"Celebration Assembly" honoring school volunteers and community helpers (police officers, fire fighters, etc.) Students will present thank you cards.

1:00 p.m. - St. Eugene Parish Elementary School, 110 S. Oak Avenue, Primos
A music assembly featuring "Rock Roots," the history of Rock, performed by "Young Audiences"

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2002
7:30 a.m. - St. John Neumann High School for Boys, 2600 Moore St., Philadelphia
The Student Council will host a breakfast for the faculty and staff.

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Visitation BVM Parish Elementary School, North Trooper Road, Norristown
Students choose to dress in the colors of the Philadelphia sports teams of their choice.

All Day - St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Elementary School, 300 Daly Drive, West Chester
Students will come to school dressed in red and white (school colors). There will be a special assembly in the gym and the "Chinese Acrobats" will perform at 1:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - St. Adalbert Parish Elementary School, 3236 Edgemont Street, Philadelphia
Prayer Service to honor parents and friends who volunteer their services to the school, followed by a bagel and muffin breakfast.

10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - St. Bede the Venerable Parish Elementary School, 1053 Holland Road, Holland
Patriotic Sock Hop Day for students throughout the day in the gymnasium.

10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of Fatima Parish Elementary School, 2915 Street Road, Bensalem
Career Day - Students dress in professional outfits and share the qualities for that job.

1:30 p.m. - St. Eugene Parish Elementary School, 110 S. Oak Avenue, Primos
Faculty vs. students volleyball game in the gymnasium

7:00 p.m. - St. Gabriel Parish Elementary School, 233 Mohawk Avenue, Norwood
Student vs. faculty basketball game

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2002
All Day - Holy Martyrs Parish Elementary School, 121 Allison Road, Oreland
Salute to Our Nation - Valentines will be made for the veterans of the parish. Children will write letters and draw pictures for active duty members of the armed forces.

9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - St. Patrick Parish Elementary School, 210 Meredith Street, Kennett Square
Bill Wood, innovative storyteller, will tell stories to students, and an all-day Penny Race to benefit children in Afghanistan.

8:30 a.m. - St. Laurence Parish Elementary School, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby
The second grade students are hosting "Donuts with Dad" to show their appreciation.

9:00 a.m. - 12 noon - Ss. Clement-Irenaeus Parish Elementary School, 2240 S. 71st Street, Philadelphia
Religious Vocation Day - 8th grade will do a display in the auditorium and representatives from various religious communities will visit the school.

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. -Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Elementary School, 2nd Street Pike, Southampton - Open House for families of current and prospective students. Student art work is on display and Patriotic Door Contest.

10:30 a.m. - St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish Elementary School, 913 Pierce Street, Philadelphia
"Hats Off to America" is the theme of this patriotic red, white and blue assembly for Student Appreciation Day.

1:00 p.m. - St. Adalbert Parish Elementary School, 3236 Edgemont Street, Philadelphia
Appreciation Day - Senior Citizens will be honored for their service to our country and school. The Seniors will be presented a Patriotic Cake and the students will sing patriotic songs .

12:00 noon - Queen of the Universe Center, 2477 Trenton Road, Levittown
Special needs students will enjoy a Hawaiian Luau, with games, prizes, and refreshments.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2001
All morning - St. Bernadette Parish Elementary School, Bond and Turner Avenues, Drexel Hill
Students will prepare lunches for distribution to the homeless.

9:00 a.m. - 12 noon - Ss. Clement Irenaeus Parish Elementary School, 2240 S. 71st Street, Philadelphia
Students dress as their favorite story book character followed by a magic show.

10:00 a.m. - Bishop McDevitt High School, 125 Royal Avenue, Wyncote
A guest motivational speaker will talk to the students about drug and alcohol abuse.


10:00 a.m. - St. Pius X Parish Elementary School, 204 S. Lawrence Rd., Broomall
"Magical Revelations" - teaching the Gospel Message through Magic by Rev. Leo Goodman, a priest from St. Catherine Parish in Harrisburg.

1:00 p.m. - St. Charles Borromeo Parish Elementary School, 1704 Bristol Pike, Bensalem
Eighth grade students and their parents will play a basketball game.

12:30 p.m. - Monsignor Bonner High School for Boys, 403 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill
Graduates who are now lawyers have been invited back to lunch (12:30 p.m.), a tour of the school (1:30), and a Mock Trial Exhibition (2:00 - 3:00)

1:00 p.m. - Our Lady of Grace Parish Elementary School, 300 Hulmeville Avenue, Penndel
Volleyball game between students and teachers

1:15 p.m. - St. Basil the Great Parish Elementary School, 2330 Kimberton Rd., Kimberton
For student appreciation day, the students will make ice cream sundaes.

1:30 p.m. - Archbishop Wood High School, 655 York Road, Warminster
Students will play "Jeopardy" game, also Teacher Appreciation Day

1:30 p.m. - St. Martin of Tours Parish Elementary School, Roosevelt Blvd. and Sanger St., Philadelphia
Grades 5 through 8 will participate in a special NBA Pep Rally.

7:00 p.m. - St. Anastasia Parish Elementary School, 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
Roller-blading Party for students sponsored by the Home and School Association

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2002
7:30 a.m. - Bishop Shanahan High School, 220 Woodbine Rd., Downingtown
Teachers Appreciation Day Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - Lansdale Catholic High School, 700 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale
Special Recognition Mass for five teachers celebrating 25 years in Catholic education

1:00 p.m. - St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, 7320 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia
As a finale for Catholic Schools Week, St. Hubert's will sponsor its Third Annual Talent Show for students.

7:00 p.m. - St. Eugene Parish Elementary School, 110 S. Oak Avenue, Primos
Family Bingo in the school hall. The kitchen will be open for dinner at 6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. - Immaculate Conception Parish Elementary School, 606 West Avenue, Jenkintown
The Home and School Association sponsors a Father and Daughter Dance.


4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - St. Martin of Tours Parish Elementary School, Roosevelt Blvd. and Sanger St., Philadelphia - To conclude Catholic Schools Week, the Home and School Association is having a pasta dinner.

7:00 p.m. - St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, 7320 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia
As a finale to Catholic Schools Week, St. Hubert's will present its Third Annual Talent Show to parents and families.