August 30, 2007
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was founded in 1808 and began educating children in 1894. Since that time Archdiocesan schools have educated and formed in faith more than 15 million students. The tradition continues as the Archdiocese, with schools in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Chester counties, welcomes almost 90,000 students back to school on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. Many Archdiocesan schools will celebrate special anniversaries of their own this year.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will open the 2007-2008 school year with 184 parish elementary schools, 20 Archdiocesan high schools and 5 Archdiocesan schools of special education.
Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School, 401-403 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, Delaware County, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will bless the new athletic fields on Friday, September 14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
Bishop Shanahan High School, 220 Woodbine Avenue, Downingtown, Chester County, Cardinal Rigali will celebrate Mass in honor of the 50th anniversary of the school on Friday, September 21, 2007 at 8:30 a.m.
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, 611 Wistar Road, Fairless Hills, Bucks County, Wednesday, September 5th marks the 50th anniversary of the doors opening at Conwell-Egan High School. Cardinal Rigali will celebrate Mass in October to honor the schools anniversary.
Roman Catholic High School for Boys, 301 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, is the second Archdiocesan high school integrating Mandarin Chinese into their curriculum.
Northeast Catholic High School, 1842 East Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, new for the 2007-2008 school year is North Catholic Institute of Technology. Students will be offered full certification in Microsoft and Cisco Systems. North Catholic High School is also offering AP classes online.
Drexel Neumann Academy, 1901 Potter Street, Chester, Delaware County, is opening its doors for the first time on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. The Drexel Neumann Academy is co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia and Neumann College. An opening liturgy will be celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 9, 2007,at Saint Katharine Drexel Church, 1920 Providence Avenue. The school will host an Open House following Mass.
Saint Andrew Parish School, 535 Mason Avenue, Drexel Hill, Delaware County, celebrates 85 years of offering spiritual formation and education to the Drexel Hill community.
Saint Philomena Parish School, 13 North Highland Avenue, Lansdowne, Delaware County, celebrates 100 years of educating children in Lansdowne. Most Reverend Robert P. Maginnis, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the 12:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday, September 23, 2007, at Saint Philomena Church, 41 East Baltimore Avenue.
Queen of the Universe Parish School, 2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, Bucks County, this year marks its 50th anniversary of offering Catholic education.
Saint Monica Parish School, 16th and Porter Streets, South Philadelphia,the 2007-2008 school year marks the 100th anniversary of Saint Monica Parish School. The opening gala "birthday party" will be held for current students and their families on Sunday, September 30, 2007. The school is also initiating a "world language" program this year. Italian is being introduced into the curriculum for all students in Grades 1-8.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, 1126 South Street, Pottstown, Montgomery County, on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 9:00 a.m., Reverend Paul C. Brandt, Pastor of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish, will celebrate Mass in honor of the Feast Day of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Each student has been asked to donate a canned food item which will be given to local shelters.
Saint Stanislaus Parish School, 493 East Main Street, Lansdale, Montgomery County, on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 9:15 a.m., parents, teachers and students will be commissioned as present day missionaries at a prayer service. The theme of the 2007-2008 school year is Missionaries On The Move.
Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, 4251 L Street, Philadelphia, Sister M. Margaret Fleming, I.H.M., Principal, was selected as the Distinguished Educator of Blind Children for the 2006-2007 school year. The award was presented by the National Federation of the Blind at the National Convention in Atlanta in July 2007.
Archdiocesan High School Enrollment for 2006-2007: 20,500
Special Education Enrollment for 2006-2007: 246
Amazing Race for Grace, Saturday, September 29, 2007, 12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., this fun filled day filled celebrating Faith, History and the Eucharist, will begin with an opening ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and end at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary with a closing Mass and festival. Those attending will participate in an adventure highlighting the many ways the Church serves the people of God. Maps and clues will guide participants on foot through Philadelphia. This event is open to families, girl & boy scout troops, CYO Teams, Jr. High and High School Youth Groups, groups of students in 6th - 12th grade, college students and young adults (18 - 35+).
Bicentennial Concert at the Kimmel Center on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 7:30 p.m., more than 400 elementary and secondary students from Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia make up the Bicentennial Chorus and Orchestra. This select group of students auditioned and was chosen to represent the Archdiocese in this concert.
The Bicentennial Year will conclude with a Closing Mass at Villanova University on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
For more information about the Bicentennial Celebration please visit www.archdiocese-phl.org.
Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747