Schools in the five-county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with Catholic schools throughout the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, January 25 through January 31, 2004. Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-centered education. This year's national theme "Catholic Schools: A Faith-Filled Future," reinforces the fact that our future lies in the hearts and minds of our students. Across the nation, Catholic schools share in the belief of a faith-filled future for every student and child. Catholic Schools Week is also an opportunity to honor those who help the schools provide academic excellence and the spiritual values that make Catholic schools special.

• There are 228 schools in the Archdiocese including:
206 parish elementary schools
22 Archdiocesan high schools
94 schools in the city
134 schools in the suburbs
High school enrollment is 22,726
Parish elementary school enrollment is 72,752
5 Special Education schools with 340 students

• On Friday, January 30th at 10:30 a.m., Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Closing Mass for Catholic Schools Week at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish, Oxford Valley Road and Southway Drive, Fairless Hills, PA. Saint Frances Cabrini Parish is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the school.


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. Below is a list of some of the activities planned.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 20024

9:30 a.m. - Holy Saviour Parish Elementary School, 400 East Airy Street, Norristown, PA
Opening Mass for Catholic Schools Week followed by "Showcasing the Future," featuring the talents of the students in Monsignor Delia Hall.

10:00 a.m. - Saint John Cantius Parish Elementary School, 4435 Almond Street, Philadelphia
Opening Mass for Catholic Schools Week followed by a pancake breakfast

11:30 a.m. - Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish Elementary School, 1719 Morris Street, Philadelphia
Celebrating Our Diversity in the Eucharist - A multi-cultural school/parish mass featuring African and Asian dancers. Followed by a family reception in the Parish Center.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2004

Holy Trinity Parish Elementary School, Stockham and Osborne Avenue, Morrisville, PA
Fun Day - with Pop-Culture Jeopardy for grades 4 - 8; a Pep Rally for the Basketball playoffs, and an all-day Book Fair.

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon - Saint Monica Parish Elementary School, 601First Avenue, Berwyn, PA
A Franklin Institute Assembly with emphasis on the 100th anniversary of flight.

1:00 p.m. - Saint Patrick Parish Elementary School, 210 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, PA
May Leon Spencer, Mayor of Kennett Square, will speak to the students.

2:15 p.m. - Our Lady of Ransom Parish Elementary School, 6740 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia
Community Awareness Day - Crossing Guards will be honored at their posts

7:00 p.m. - Saint Christopher Parish Elementary School, 13305 Proctor Road, Philadelphia
Faculty/Student Basketball Game at Father Judge High School

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2004

7:00 a.m. - Cardinal O'Hara High School, 1701 S. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day - Breakfast will be served for all Faculty and Staff Members in the Faculty Dining Room

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Saint Pius X Parish Elementary School, 204 South Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA
The International Ballet Classique will give a lecture and demonstration in ballet for the first through 8th grades in the gym.

Saint Anastasia Parish Elementary School, 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown, Square, PA
An assembly provided by the Home and School Association in the school gym presents: "Steps Around the World" - 9:30 a.m. Grades K - 2, 10:30 a.m. Grades 3 - 5 and 11:30 a.m. Grades 6 - 8.

Our Lady of Grace Parish Elementary School, 300 Hulmeville Avenue, Penndel, PA
Grades pre-Kindergarten to Fifth will play Grandparent's Bingo. All grandparents of students are invited to play.

9:00 a.m. - Saint George Parish Elementary School, 2700 E. Venango Street, Philadelphia
Pajama Day! All students and faculty can wear their PJ's to school. Science Fair on display in the hall from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Afternoon Bingo for students. Ice Skating Party at Blue Cross River Rink at Penns Landing from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Elementary School, 1329 E. Moyamensing Avenue, Philadelphia
Popcorn, Fortune Cookies and educational quizzes will rule the day. A yo yo extravaganza is planned for an assembly.

9:30 a.m. - West Philadelphia Catholic High School, 4501 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Annual Hall of Fame Assembly where five graduates who have been successful in areas such as education, business, law, medicine, are inducted. The entire student body attends this inspirational assembly.

1:30 p.m. - Lansdale Catholic High School, 700 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, PA
It's student appreciation day, including a faculty/student basketball game and pep rally.

Saint Mark Parish Elementary School, 1024 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA
Open House, inviting parents, community members and prospective new students. Also a "Celebration of the Arts" fair encompassing all forms of the arts, including music, literature and art.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2004

Saint Adalbert Parish Elementary School, 3236 Edgemont Street, Philadelphia
Throughout the day, Senior Citizens and Grandparents will be honored. Children will give seniors a special cake and trays of fruit. Children will also entertain with song and dance.

9:00 a.m. - Saint John the Baptist Parish Elementary School, 4040 Durham Road, Ottsville, PA
8th grade vs. faculty Volleyball Challenge.

9:00 a.m. - Queen of the Universe Parish Elementary School, 2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA
Occupation Day - parents will share short descriptions of their jobs with children in an assembly.

12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. - Queen of the Universe Special Education School, 2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA
International Day for students with special foods and activities to show the uniqueness and similarities of all people.

1:00 p.m. - Saint Albert the Great Parish Elementary School, 214 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Students will participate in "Baskets for Breath," an activity that benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

1:15 p.m. - Our lady Help of Christians, 2420 E. Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia
Grades Kindergarten to 5th will have a ‘Dance-A-Thon' to raise money for Catholic Relief Services.

1:30 p.m. - Sacred Heart Parish Elementary School, Wilson Avenue and Manoa Road, Havertown, PA
Chinese acrobats will perform for the students; a hot lunch provided by the Home and School Association.

7:00 p.m. - Holy Innocents Area Catholic Elementary School, 1312 E. Bristol Street, Philadelphia
A Faith Filled Future: In Our Nation - Students will perform a skit for parents at the Home and School Meeting.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2004

10:00 a.m. - Saint Paul Parish Elementary School, 351 E. Johnson Highway, Norristown, PA
Multi-Cultural Day - Walking in Jesus' Footsteps to understand the Middle East - Each classroom will become a city or place, from the past and present, in the Middle East to explain diversity of cultures.

Coatesville Area Catholic Elementary School, 605 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA
All students may wear a ‘crazy' hat, patterned or designed socks and ties with their uniforms. There will be a Magic show featuring Chris Capehart for Grades K - 4.

Saint Joseph Parish Elementary School, 340 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA
Super Bowl Thursday! For the price of a can of soup, students may wear the jersey of their favorite team. At lunchtime, a pizza treat for all students/teachers provided by the Home and School Association.

Mother of Divine Grace Parish Elementary School, 2612 E. Monmouth Street, Philadelphia
A Lip Sync Contest and Ice Cream Treat for the Students.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Elementary School, 2nd Street Pike and Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA
Student Appreciation Day - a special assembly featuring an illusionist. It is also dress down day for students.


Saint John the Evangelist Parish Elementary School, 728 Big Oak Road, Morrisville, PA
Academic Bowl featuring the 5, 6, 7 and 8 grades engaging in academic trivia.


Saint Basil the Great Parish Elementary School, 2330 Kimberton Road, Kimberton, PA
At 11:00 a.m. Lower School students will hold a religion bee in the Church School Hall, 1:00 p.m. Students will make ice cream sundaes; 1:30 p.m. a spelling bee for upper school students in the Church School Hall.

1:30 p.m. - Saint John the Baptist Parish Elementary School, 4040 Durham Road, Ottsville, PA
Students will share their talents by putting on a Variety Show

3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - West Philadelphia Catholic High School, 4501 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Teams from nearly thirty parish elementary schools will participate in an Academic Challenge sponsored by West Catholic High School.

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Elementary School, 1525 Elkins Avenue, Abington, PA
A Skating Party for all students (please call school for location).

7:00 p.m. Saint Bede the Venerable Parish Elementary School, 1053 Holland Road, Holland, PA
Open House starting with prayer service, band performance, choral group performance, concluding with visiting classrooms and meeting teachers.



FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2004

Holy Martyrs Parish Elementary School, 121 Allison Road, Oreland, PA
This fun day begins with students arriving in their pajamas. At lunch, the principal will provide an ice cream treat for all students. Later, students will listen to a "Peace Presentation" conducted by the 7th graders.

8:00 a.m. - Saint Madeline-Saint Rose Elementary School, 500 Tome Street, Ridley Park, PA
Closing Mass for Catholic Schools Week. At noon, there will be a luncheon for faculty and staff

10:30 a.m. - Saint Frances Cabrini Parish Elementary School, Oxford Valley Rd. and Southway Dr., Fairless Hills
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Closing Mass for Catholic Schools Week at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish, Oxford Valley Road and Southway Drive, Fairless Hills, PA. Saint Frances Cabrini Parish is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the school.

Saint Christopher Parish Elementary School, 13305 Proctor Road, Philadelphia
Morning Spelling Bees for grades 4, 5 and 6. Afternoon Spelling Bees for grades 7 and 8.

12:30 p.m. - Nativity B.V.M. Parish Elementary School, 2541 E. Madison Street, Philadelphia
Faculty Appreciation Luncheon for the five Port Richmond School Faculties (includes Saint George, Nativity BVM, Our Lady Help of Christians, Mother of Divine Grace and Saint Adalbert).

Sacred Heart Parish Elementary School, Lewis Road and Washington Street, Royersford, PA
At 1:00 p.m., students will perform in a Student Talent Show. Then at 6:00 p.m., a parish Spaghetti Dinner.

5:00 p.m. -Saint Monica Parish Elementary School, 601First Avenue, Berwyn, PA
Family Dinner and Bingo Night! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for dinner followed by family bingo.