January 30th marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. More than 120,000 students, parents and teachers throughout the five-county Archdiocese will celebrate with a variety of special religious, social and recreational activities. The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to build support and recognition for the 8,200 Catholic schools nationwide. Catholic Schools Week also recognizes the sacrifices parents make in exercising their right to choose a Catholic Education.


Archdiocesan Enrollment figures for Year 1999/2000: In the 212 parish elementary schools enrollment this year is 82,935. Enrollment for the 22 Archdiocesan high schools is 23,178.

The Archdiocesan High School Graduating Class of 1999 was offered more than $117 million in scholarships, an increase of $7 million over the previous year. Our high school graduation rate is 99% and 88% of the graduates are continuing to further their education.

According to statistics from the National Catholic Education Association, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has the second largest enrollment in the nation. Chicago is first and New York is third.

Every year our schools celebrate Catholic Schools Week with many special activities, liturgies and celebrations. Below is a list of some fun events going on in a few of our schools!

Sunday, January 30,2000
10:00 a.m. - St. Helena Parish, Fifth Street and Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia
75th Jubilee of the Parish - all former religious and lay teachers and former students have been invited to attend the 10 a.m. liturgy. Representatives from graduating classes (1928-1999) will be in the entrance procession. The Liturgy will be followed by a reception in the school hall.

10:00 a.m. - Nativity B.V.M., Belgrade Street and Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia
Children will speak at Sunday Mass. A "Thank You" to the parish.

8:00 a.m. until 12 noon - Ss. Philip and James Church, 723 E. Lincoln Hwy, Exton, Pa.
A display of posters honoring the different feasts of the Blessed Mother will be presented. This exhibit will be in the lobby of the Church during all Masses.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Archbishop Wood High School, 655 York Road, Warminster, PA
Activities Bazaar, Coaches Corner, Registration in school cafeteria. Students and moderators of the various extra-curricular activities are available to discuss the many programs that the school has to offer. Also, team members and coaches are available to speak with parents and potential incoming students.

Monday, January 31, 2000
8:15 a.m. - St. Anthony Church , 259 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA
Catholic School Week Opening Liturgy for Ambler Catholic Elementary School

9:30 a.m. - St. Charles Borromeo School, 1704 Bristol Pike, Bensalem
As students contemplate lighting the way to a new century, they will remember the past by writing notes of thank you to the retired priests and religious of the diocese.

10:00 a.m. -St. Anastasia School, 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
Home and School Board Officers will be honored at the Opening Prayer Service. Baked goods will be distributed to local community personnel.

10:45 a.m. - St. Mary Magdalen School, 2430 Providence Road, Media
Special recognition of two parishioners, Dr. John Dzwonczyk and Mrs. Patricia Holloway, for their effort, time and talents to Catholic Education

1:45 p.m. - St. Eugene School, 110 S. Oak Avenue, Primos, PA
Faculty and student volleyball game

7:00 p.m. - St. John Neumann High School, 2600 Moore Street, Philadelphia
Safe Schools: Teaching Respect, Ethics and Tolerance - a presentation for faculty members, students and parents by Mr. Ted Fattoross. Mr. Fattoross comes to Neumann with seventeen years of experience in communicating positive values and leadership.

Tuesday, February 1, 2000
The Declaration of Commitment Scroll will be signed in many of our schools on the Tuesday of Catholic Schools Week - Students will be signing their names to a document committing to Five Values to Live By: Prayer, Responsibility, Integrity, Respect and Service. Some schools to visit for the signing are:

9:00 a.m. - St. Helena School, 5th Street and Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia
The Declaration of Commitment Scroll will be signed by all members of the school community
10:00 a.m. - St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1054 Holland Road, Holland. PA
Prayer service and signing the Declaration of Commitment
1:00 p.m. - Holy Martyrs School, 121 Allison Road, Oreland, PA
"Signing of the Scroll" - Plus, a time capsule for the Millennium will be created with each class contributing their "artifact."

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - St. Anastasia School, 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA
"Millennium Dress Up Day" - Student Council Members researched the dress of the different decades from 1900 to 2000. Grades will come dressed appropriately for their assigned "era."

8:45 a.m. - St. Madeline-St. Rose School, 500 Tome Street, Ridley Park, PA
A Government official will speak during an assembly and discuss respect for the U.S. flag, and how it should be properly be displayed.

10:00 a.m. - Holy Trinity, Osborne and Stockham Avenues, Morrisville, PA
Students will fill a time capsule with memorabilia that reflects their lives as Holy Trinity Students in the school year 1999-2000.Things to be included will be class photos, a copy of the millennium prayer service, a picture of the computer lab and library. Individual classes decide on items to be placed in time capsule.

Wednesday, February 2, 2000
10:00 a.m. - St. Anne School, 418 Jefferson Avenue, Bristol, PA
Special recognition to honor of the late Dr. Edmund T. Carroll Jr., whose family donated $25,000 to aid in the funding of a 31 computer technology center at the school. Proceeds from the annual walkathon and donations from anonymous donors also contributed to the center.

10:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - St. John the Baptist, 119 Rector Street, Philadelphia
Open House - Parents, friends, family and all parishioners are invited to come and see Catholic Schools in action! Refreshments will be served.

1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. St. Joan of Arc, 3556 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia
Student Appreciation Day - dance for K through 4 grade in school hall

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Ambler Catholic Elementary School, 1 Poplar Street, Ambler, PA
Open House. Grades 4 - 8 hold a "Decorate a Door" Contest - Creativity at its best!!!

7- 8 p.m. - St. Anastasia School, 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA
Open house for parents and prospective students. Musical entertainment by the students. "Door Decorating Display" - Classrooms decorated in honor of theme "Open Wide the Doors to Christ."

8:00 a.m. Northeast Catholic High School, 1842 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia
Richard Benninghoff will be performing his magic during an assembly period for all Freshman and Sophomore students. This is part of student appreciate day. Karaoke during all lunch periods.

12:30 p.m. Our Lady Help of Christians School, E. Allegheny Avenue and Chatham Street, Philadelphia
Faculty Luncheon for five area schools in Port Richmond ( St. Adalbert, St. George, Mother of Divine Grace, Nativity) hosted by Our Lady Help of Christians (Fifties theme)

2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. John W. Hallahan Girls Catholic High School, 19th and Wood Streets, Philadelphia
"Battle of the Sexes" -Roman Catholic High School students meet the students from their sister school, the girls of John W. Hallahan, in their annual challenge of wits and physical ability. Hallahan hosts Roman in an Academic Bowl and a variety of athletic competitions from free throwing basketballs, to jumping rope, to the finale: a tug o' war between the two teams.

Thursday, February 3, 2000
7:10 a.m. - Archbishop Wood High School, 655 York Road, Warminster, PA
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day. A special breakfast served by Student Council. Also, Student Council will present a gift to each member of staff as a token of thanks.

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon - St. Joseph School, 251 Concord Road, Aston, PA
Science Fair open to the public. At 8:15 a.m. there will be an Awards Assembly in Degnan Hall

8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Roman Catholic High School, Broad and Vine Streets, Philadelphia
"Pax Vobiscum" - Roman students will participate in a day long program which will deal with attitudes, problems, misconceptions, and realities of violence among teens and how they can contribute to peace in the world.

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. - St. Kevin School, 200 W. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA
Students will attend an assembly presentation from Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc. and an assembly on self-esteem entitled "Boss of My Body."

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Assumption B.V.M., 290 State Road, West Grove, PA
Students will attend an assembly entitled "Bill Wood the Storyteller."

10:00 a.m. - St. Laurence School, 8245 West Chester Pike, Highland Park, PA
Monsignor Bonner High School Jazz Band will entertain the students

1:00 p.m. - St. Adalbert School, Thompson and Madison Streets, Philadelphia
Family Feud Game between teachers and students

6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Ambler Catholic Elementary School - St. Anthony's Auditorium,
Forest Avenue and Hendricks Street, Ambler, PA
Family Reading Night -To help promote reading, families with gather together for a book swapping night!

7:00 p.m. - St. Maria Goretti High School, 10th and Moore Streets, Philadelphia
Dedication of the new computer lab which was funded by The Connelly Foundation. Also, the Microsoft "Mouse" Certification Center will be launched.

Friday, February 4, 2000
9:00 a.m. - St. Charles Borromeo School, Father George Center, 1941 Christian Street, Philadelphia
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will visit the school and students

9:00 a.m. - St. Dorothy School, 1225 Burmont Road, Drexel Hill, PA
Special Liturgy - Mrs. Eleanor Carafa will be honored for 25 years of teaching service in the Archdiocese.

9:30 a.m. - St. Adalbert School, Thompson and Madison Streets, Philadelphia
Grandparents day - Coffee and cake at 9:30 a.m. in lower hall; Meet with children at 10:30 a.m. in Lower Hall, Special Liturgy at 11:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m. - Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School, 250 E. Johnson Way, Norristown, PA
Annual faculty and student volleyball game