Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with Catholic schools throughout the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, January 28 through February 3, 2007. Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary, secondary and special education schools across the country play in providing a values-centered education. This year's national theme is "Catholic Schools: the Good News in Education." Catholic schools are proud of the intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social values that are emphasized in their schools.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia there are:
· 187 Parish or Regional Elementary Schools
· 20 Archdiocesan High Schools
· 5 Schools of Special Education
· Parish elementary school enrollment is 62,559
· High school enrollment is 20,749
· Schools of Special Education enrollment is 246

Please join Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2007 at St. Matthew Parish School, 3000 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, 19149, for the launch of a major initiative highlighting the value of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. (Click here for streaming video of announcement)

Celebrating Good News: During Catholic Schools Week, students, parents and teachers throughout the five-county Archdiocese will celebrate with a variety of special religious, social and recreational activities. Following is a list of some of the activities planned:

Sunday, January 28, 2007
Holy Trinity Parish - Osborne and Stockham Avenues, Morrisville - 215-295-6900 (p) Bucks County
9:30 a.m. - Mass celebrating Catholic Schools Week followed by an Open House with an Academic Wellness Fair and Book Fair with each child in grades 1st - 8th participating.
Our Lady of Charity Parish - 231 Upland Road, Brookhaven - 610-874-0410 (p) Delaware County
11:30 a.m. - Catholic Schools Week Mass will include the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
St. Matthew Parish- Cottman Ave. and Battersby Street, Philadelphia - 610-948-5915 (parish p)
12:30 p.m. - Bishop Joseph McFadden will be the celebrant and homilist at the opening Mass of Catholic Schools Week.

Monday, January 29, 2007
Saint Anastasia School - 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square - 610-356-6225 x 100 (p) Delaware County
10:00 a.m. - A concert for senior citizens presented by the music department featuring hand bells, other musical ensembles and the Show Choir.
St. David School - Easton Road and Summit Avenue, Willow Grove - 215-659-4251 (p) Montgomery County
10:00 a.m. - St. David School will hold their First Annual Grandparent Day, beginning with a prayer service and a special activity.
Saints Simon and Jude School - 6 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester - 610-696-5249 (p) Chester County
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. - Students will hold their First Annual Grandparent Day and will share the good news of Saints Simon and Jude with their grandparents.
St. Athanasius-Immaculate Conception School - Limekiln Pike and Middleton Street, Philadelphia - 215-424-5045 (p)
1:30 p.m. - Bishop Joseph McFadden will bless the school's new science lab.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School - 1126 South Street, Pottstown - 610-323-6730 (p)
2:00 p.m. - During School Spirit Day there will be a pep rally and a collection for the homeless of the Pottstown area.
Cardinal O'Hara High School - 1701 S. Sproul Road, Springfield - 610-544-3800 (p) Delaware County
5:00 p.m. - Bishop Joseph Cistone will attend Forty Hours devotion at the school.
Archbishop John Carroll High School- 211 Matson Ford Road, Radnor - 610-688-7610 (p) Delaware County
7:00 p.m. - The Archdiocesan Bicentennial Secondary Chorus will hold rehearsal in preparation for a special concert on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at the Kimmel Center. The concert will feature the Archdiocesan Bicentennial Chorus and Orchestra.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007
St. Madeline-St. Rose School - 500 Tome Street, Ridley Park - 610-583-3662 (p) Delaware County
8:30 a.m. - A prayer service offered by the school's student council will be followed by a fashion show in the school gym.
Nativity BVM School - 2541 E. Madison Street, Philadelphia - 215-739-8761 (p)
9:00 a.m. - Students will participate in a Support the Military Day by wearing yellow ribbons and writing cards to soldiers.
St. Martin of Tours Parish - Roosevelt Boulevard and Sanger Street, Philadelphia - 215-533-3050 (p)
10:00 a.m. - Bishop Joseph McFadden will participate in a prayer service and dedicate a library in memory of Sister Paul Mercedes, IHM (who was killed in a hit-and-run last year).
Kennedy-Kenrick High School - 250 E. Johnson Highway, Norristown - 610-2752846 (p) Montgomery County
10:20 a.m. - Bishop Daniel Thomas will be the celebrant and homilist at a Liturgy for students.
Holy Trinity School - Osborne and Stocham Avenues, Morrisville - 215-295-6900 (p) - Bucks County
1:30 p.m. - The school will collect warm hats, scarves and gloves for Iraqi children as well as writing cards of cheer to elderly patients.
Bishop McDevitt High School - 125 Royal Avenue, Wyncote - 215-887-5575 (p)
3:30 p.m. - Bishop Robert Maginnis will be the celebrant and homilist at a Liturgy for the students.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul - 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia 10:00 a.m. - Bishop Joseph McFadden will be the celebrant and homilist of a Mass for over 1400 Archdiocesan student athletes. The Cardinal O'Hara High School choir will provide music.
St. Joseph the Worker School - 9160 New Falls Road, Fallsington - 215-949-4312 (p) Bucks County
12:45 p.m. - As part of Student Appreciation Day there will be a performance of the Holy Ghost Prep Jazz Band.
Stella Maris School - 814 Bigler Street, Philadelphia - 215-467-6262 (p)
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - A player from The Phantoms hockey team will read to 3rd and 4th grade students.
Saint Adalbert School - Thompson and Madison Streets, Philadelphia - 610-326-8990 (p)
1:00 p.m. - During Senior Citizen Appreciation Day there will be a "Senior Prom" where seniors and students will dance to music provided by a live band, share letters and enjoy refreshments.
St. Hilary of Poitiers School - 920 Susquehanna Road, Rydal - 215-887-4520 (p) - Montgomery County
1:30 p.m. - Students will walk and pray for peace in our country and world and also participate in Patriotic Dress Down Day wearing red, white and blue in support of our troops.
Immaculate Conception School - 3810 Oxford Valley Road, Levittown - 215-949-4664 (p) Bucks County
1:30 p.m. - Students will participate in a Dance-a-thon in the school's Social Hall.

Thursday, February 1, 2007
St. Bernadette of Lourdes School - 1035 Turner Avenue, Drexel Hill - 610-449-6126 (p) Delaware County
9:15 a.m. - The Philadelphia Flyers and Phantoms will hold a school assembly on good character traits.
St. Anselm School - 12650 Dunks Ferry Road, Philadelphia - 215-632-1133 (p)
10:30 a.m. - To celebrate vocations, each classroom will have a guest speaker on religious life.
Saint John of the Cross School - 2801 Woodland Road, Roslyn - 215-659-1365 (p) Montgomery County
1:00 p.m. - Students in grades 1-8 will attend a presentation of "Born in the USA" presented by the Philadelphia Zoo. The students will have the opportunity to see some of the most fascinating animals found in the United States.
Our Lady of Grace School - 300 Hulmeville Avenue, Penndel - 215-757-5287 (p) Bucks County
2:00 p.m. - Students in 4th through 8th grade will compete in a jeopardy tournament. A pep rally for Catholic education will follow the tournament.
St. Gabriel School - Cleveland Avenue between Chester Pike and Mohawk Avenue, Norwood - 610-586-1225 (p) Delaware County
3:15 p.m. - Faculty and Priests vs. Students kickball game will be held.

Friday, February 2, 2007
Saint George School - 2700 E. Venango Street, Philadelphia - 215-634-8803 (p)
8:30 a.m. - A closing of Catholic Schools Week liturgy will be held followed by a teacher/faculty "identity" game. Students will be tested on how well they know their teachers and faculty.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul - 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
10:00 a.m. - Cardinal Justin Rigali will be the main celebrant of a Mass for over 1,000 Archdiocesan teachers. Bishop Joseph McFadden will concelebrate the Mass. The Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic School choir will provide music.
St. Rose of Lima School - 425 Pennsylvania Avenue, North Wales - 215-699-8831 (p) Montgomery County
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. - Faculty Appreciation Day will include a game of Family Feud based on responses from faculty and students.
Lincoln High School - Roland and Ryan Avenues, Philadelphia
7:00 p.m. - Bishop Daniel Thomas will attend the swim meet between Little Flower and St. Hubert High Schools for Girls.

Contact
Meredith V. Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747