Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in concert with Catholic schools across the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, January 27 through February 2, 2008. Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary, secondary and special education schools play in providing a values-centered education throughout the country. This year's national theme is "Catholic Schools Light the Way," which reflects the pride derived from the intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social values that are emphasized in their schools.

Bishop McDevitt High School, Bishop Shanahan High School and Conwell-Egan Catholic High School are celebrating 50 years educating students in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Statistics
· In 2006-2007 Archdiocesan Schools Saved Taxpayers More Than $97 Million
· 184 Parish or Regional Elementary Schools serving 59,607 students
· 20 Archdiocesan High Schools serving 19,995 students
· 5 Schools of Special Education serving 245 students


Lighting the Way: Throughout Catholic Schools Week, Archdiocesan students, parents and teachers in the five-county region will celebrate with a multitude of religious, social and recreational activities. The following is a list detailing just a few of the many activities planned.

Sunday, January 27, 2008
Resurrection of Our Lord - 202 Shelmire Street, Philadelphia - (215) 742-1127 (p) Philadelphia North
Student Council members from Resurrection of Our Lord will speak at all Sunday Masses regarding the value of Catholic education and will distribute thank you cards to their congregation for their continued support.
Stella Maris School - 814 Bigler Street, Philadelphia - 215-467-6262 (p) Philadelphia South
Student Council members from Stella Maris will speak at all Sunday Masses regarding the value of Catholic education and what Stella Maris means to them as current students.

Monday, January 28, 2008
The 2008 Distinguished Graduate Awards
The Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building, Broad & Juniper Streets, Philadelphia; 6pm
The Archdiocese will honor six remarkable graduates of its Catholic schools for their professional and personal accomplishments, all of whom credit their success and achievements to a critical foundation in Catholic education. The honorees are:
· Cardinal John P. Foley, Pro-Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
· Corporal Michael J. Crescenz (Posthumously)
· Captain Christopher J. Ferguson, NASA Astronaut, United States Navy
· Dr. Ann P. Kearney-Cooke, PhD, Director, Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute
· Christine Rouse, Founder & Executive Director of Acting Without Boundaries
· Robert H. Palestini, Ed.D, Dean Emeritus, St. Joseph's University

Conwell-Egan Catholic High School - 611 Wistar Road, Fairless Hill - (215) 945-6200 (p) Bucks County
7pm: The Conwell-Egan Catholic High School Choir will perform at the 2008 Distinguished Graduate Awards at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City. Conwell-Egan Catholic High School is celebrating 50 years of educating students.
Saint Anastasia - 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square - (610) 356-6225 (p) Delaware County
A Community Thank You: Members of St. Anastasia School's Student Council will deliver baked goods and student-designed thank you cards to community service workers including police officers, firefighters, librarians, etc.
Nativity BVM - Franklin and Gayley Streets, Media - (610) 566-6881 (p) Delaware County
9am - Noon: "Careers of the Future" presentations will be made by Nativity BVM parents to various classes throughout the morning; offers students a glimpse into different career paths and highlights opportunities from continuing their education
Mary, Mother the Redeemer - 1321 Upper State Road, North Wales - (215) 412-7101 (p) Montgomery County Students as Models for Education: 8th grade students work in teams to design a lesson plan for younger students (K-4); presentations will be made throughout Catholic Schools Week
Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti - 1736 South 10th Street, Philadelphia - (215) 465-8437 (p) Philadelphia South
8:30am: Patrons' Day Mass marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week and will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph R. Cistone for all students, teachers and administrators at Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Papal Colloquium at Bishop McDevitt High School
125 Royal Avenue, Wyncote; 10:30am Keynote Address; 3:30pm Closing Liturgy
The 2008 Papal Colloquium will focus on the contributions made by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications concerning the use of the Internet. Philadelphia native and a 2008 Distinguished Graduate Award Winner, Cardinal John P. Foley will offer the keynote address for the Colloquium and is the Celebrant/Homilist for the closing liturgy. High school students from across the Archdiocese are expected to attend this day-long discussion of the Internet and Catholicism.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch School - 999 Reading Avenue, Yardley - (215) 493-3867 (p) Bucks County
6:30pm - Saint Ignatius of Antioch will host an Open House with a "Living Timeline" of its past alumni from 1958-2007 for its students and their families.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Mass Celebrating Student-Athletes at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia; 10:00am, Procession begins at 9:45am
Bishop Joseph McFadden will be the celebrant and homilist of a special Mass for over 1700 Archdiocesan student athletes, 125 secondary school administrators and 25 priests. Music will be provided by the choir from Cardinal O'Hara High School.
Saint John the Baptist School - 4040 Durham Road, Ottsville - (610) 847-5523 (p) Bucks County
9:30am: Students will focus upon science and technology, attending assorted science centers throughout the school, notably the Robotics Club Extravaganza
Saint Laurence School - 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby - (610) 789-2670 (p) Delaware County
9am: St. Laurence students will sign the new School Constitution, which proclaims the mission of the school and the responsibilities of its students. This Constitution will hang in the lobby of Saint Laurence School throughout the 2008 school year.
Saint Cecilia School - 525 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia - (215) 725-8588 (p) Philadelphia North
All gym classes will be "Jumping for a Healthy Heart," with a jump-rope challenge. $1.00 donations from each participating student are being donated to the American Heart Association.
Pope John Paul II Regional School - 4435 Almond Street, Philadelphia - (215) 535-3446 (p)Philadelphia North; 6-8pm, Awards ceremony at 7:30pm
Parishioners, students and their families are invited to the school's first Art Fair fundraiser, where students' original work will be displayed in frames and available for purchase. Awards will be given to students demonstrating exceptional artistic talent.

Thursday, January 31, 2008
Mass Celebrating Catholic Educators at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Philadelphia North/South & Bucks County) 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia; 10:00am
2,000 teachers from Philadelphia North/South and Bucks County will attend Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Cardinal Justin Rigali will be the celebrant and homilist. At the conclusion of the liturgy Cardinal Rigali will present an award to Monsignor McGroarty from St. Matthew Parish recognizing his Pastor of the Year distinction from The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). He will be honored in Indianapolis on March 25, 2008.
Saint Aloysius School - Third & Hanover Streets; Pottstown - (610) 326-6167 (p) Montgomery County
All classes will fill 2 "Birthday Boxes" (1 for a boy; 1 for a girl) with things needed to celebrate a birthday (cake mix, napkins, candles, balloons, etc). These boxes will be decorated and then donated to the North Coventry Food Pantry for distribution to the families in need.
Saint Eleanor School - 701 Locust Street, Collegeville - (610) 489-9434 ext. 27 (p) Montgomery County
1:30pm: Students will experience the folding of the American flag and learn the meaning of each fold via a Power Point presentation while also engaging in a patriotic sing-a-long.
Saint Thomas the Apostle School - 430 Valleybrook Road, (610) 459-8134 (p) Delaware County
9:30am: Students will host Grandparents' Day; grandparents are invited to school for a prayer service followed by tours of Saint Thomas' classrooms.

Friday, February 1, 2008
Mass Celebrating Catholic Educators at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Counties)
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia; 10:00am
2,000 teachers from Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties will attend Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Cardinal Justin Rigali will be the celebrant and homilist. At the conclusion of the liturgy Cardinal Rigali will present an award to Sr. Theresa Maugle, SSJ for her Distinguished Principal Award from National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) to be presented at the convention on March 25, 2008.
Immaculate Conception School - 3810 Oxford Valley Road, Levittown - (215) 949-2848 (p) Bucks County
10:30am: Members of the Student Council will put on an Anti-Bullying Play for the student body, which aims to teach students the importance of being kind to students, especially in the classroom.
Saint Andrew School - 51 Wrights Road, Newtown - (215) 968-2685 (p) Bucks County
9am: Students from St. Andrew's will attend an engaging and informative assembly on teamwork presented by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Immaculate Heart of Mary School - 815 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia - (215) 482-2029 (p) Philadelphia North
9am/10am/11am: Children's book author and illustrator Matt Phelan visits with students.
Our Mother of Consolation School - 17 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia (215) 247-1060 (p) Philadelphia North
10am: Students will host Grandparents' Day; grandparents are invited to school for a prayer service followed by tours of Our Mother of Consolation classrooms.

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747