Schools Throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Celebrate Catholic Schools Week

The National Catholic Schools Week 2018 Theme:
“Catholic Schools:  Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed”

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join in the national observance of Catholic Schools Week January 28, 2018 – February 3, 2018. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of the Christ-centered, faith-based education that students receive in the 119 elementary, 17 secondary, and 4 special education schools in the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese. The national theme for Catholic Schools Week 2018 is “Catholic Schools:  Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

For the first time in 13 years the Philadelphia Eagles are headed to the Super Bowl and students, faculty, and staff across the 5 county region of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia couldn’t be more excited for their hometown team.  Many schools have incorporated special Eagles themed events into their Catholic Schools Week plans.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CORNERSTONE EVENT

ON MONDAY, JANUARY 29TH

Each day has a unique theme. The theme for Monday, January 29th will be Celebrating Your Community.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will mark that day by hosting a day-long service initiative at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Nourishing our Neighbors—Catholic School Students as Servant Leaders. 

It will be the keystone event for the celebration of Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese and feature participation from over 800 students representing parish-based elementary schools as well as Archdiocesan high schools and schools of special education.

These young people will combine efforts to package approximately 17,000 relief bags with non-perishable items to benefit Nutritional Development Services’ (NDS) Community Food Program in three distinct areas Kid Snack Bags, Outreach Bags, and Emergency Food Cupboard Bags.

Archbishop Chaput will be joined by his four auxiliary bishops: Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald and Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman.  The event will also include participation by senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education and Nutritional Development Services. While the program will last throughout the day, there will be a component for media at 1:00 p.m.

Monday, January 29, 2018
1:00 p.m. (Media Event)
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (College Division – Auditorium)
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096 (Montgomery County)

NDS’ Community Food Program is a modern day equivalent to the miracle of the loaves and fishes as schools, parishes, and individuals give what they can to make a difference. As a result, both the giver and receiver are nourished.  

NDS, the beneficiary of this service program, is an agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia within the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services.  Its goal is to provide meals, food assistance, and additional support to organizations serving children and the poor as an extension of the service and mission of the Church. 

In addition to packaging the bags students will have an opportunity to hear from NDS representatives on the tremendous impact their act of service will have in assisting members of the community in need.  

The event will be live streamed beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Direct link: https://livestream.com/archphila/nourish2018
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Additional Catholic Schools Week Events

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Saint Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church (Delaware County) During its Catholic Schools Week opening Mass, Saint Andrew School will honor its Principal, Mrs. Helen McLean and Pastor, Monsignor Albin J. Grous who were recently selected as “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” winners by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).  Now in its third year, this award nationally recognizes outstanding Catholic school educators across the nation.  Following the distribution of Holy Communion, Sister Edward William Quinn, I.H.M., Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Office of Catholic Education (OCE) will introduce Mrs. Mclean who will deliver remarks to the school families, faculty, staff, and parishioners.  She will then introduce Monsignor Grous for his remarks.  In addition to Sister Edward Quinn, Dr. Andrew McLaughlin, Secretary for Elementary Education as well as other OCE administrators will be in attendance.     

NCEA is the largest, private professional education association in the world. NCEA works with Catholic educators to support ongoing faith formation and the teaching mission of the Catholic Church. Its membership includes more than 150,000 educators serving 1.9 million students in Catholic education.

Bishop Shanahan High School (Chester County) The Bishop Shanahan Mother/Son Communion Breakfast is annual event with a Liturgy open to the young men of Bishop Shanahan High School and their mothers held in the school auditorium and celebrated by Father John Donia, School Minister at Bishop Shanahan.  Following the Mass all in attendance will gather for brunch at the Downingtown Country Club.

Saint Theresa of Calcutta School (Montgomery County) One of four schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to have been named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education (USDOE), Saint Theresa of Calcutta, will open its doors for current and perspective parents, students, parishioners, and friends to take an interactive look at all that the school has to offer.  Students will be on hand to greet guests as they travel the halls of the school and are treated to various STREAM related projects that students have worked on throughout the year.  In addition, the sixth grade class will perform a living “Wax Museum” for school families, parishioners, and guests.  They will dress in costumes as a notable person from history and through previous research and study will recite facts about their character as guests walk through the living museum.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (Montgomery County) Each day during Catholic Schools Week has a unique theme. The theme for Monday, January 29th will be “Celebrating Your Community.”

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will mark that day by hosting a day-long service initiative at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Nourishing our Neighbors—Catholic School Students as Servant Leaders. 

 It will be the keystone event for the celebration of Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese and feature participation from over 800 students representing parish-based elementary schools as well as Archdiocesan high schools and schools of special education.

These young people will combine efforts to package approximately 17,000 relief bags with non-perishable items to benefit Nutritional Development Services’ (NDS) Community Food Program in three distinct areas Kid Snack Bags, Outreach Bags, and Emergency Food Cupboard Bags.

Archbishop Chaput will be joined by his four auxiliary bishops: Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald and Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman.  The event will also include participation by senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education and Nutritional Development Services. While the program will last throughout the day, there will be a component for media at 1:00 p.m.

NDS’ Community Food Program is a modern day equivalent to the miracle of the loaves and fishes as schools, parishes, and individuals give what they can to make a difference. As a result, both the giver and receiver are nourished.  

NDS, the beneficiary of this service program, is an agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia within the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services.  Its goal is to provide meals, food assistance, and additional support to organizations serving children and the poor as an extension of the service and mission of the Church. 

In addition to packaging the bags students will have an opportunity to hear from NDS representatives on the tremendous impact their act of service will have in assisting members of the community in need.  

The event will be live streamed beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Direct link: https://livestream.com/archphila/nourish2018

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Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School On “Vocabulary Day” at the school each student has been given a vocabulary word and they will dress up to depict their word.  Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will then have a vocabulary parade to show off their creative costumes.

Saint Aloysius Parish School (Montgomery County) Saint Aloysius school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will host Mr. Bob Kelly, Fox 29 Good Day Philadelphia Traffic Reporter and “Kelly’s Classroom” segment host for a spirited Philadelphia Eagles Pep Rally to get ready for Super Bowl LII vs. the New England Patriots.  Students, faculty, and staff will come to school dressed in their Eagles Green and among other activities lead Bob in the singings of the Eagles’ fight song “Fly Eagles Fly.”

Lansdale Catholic High School (Montgomery County) Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia and Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, a proud graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School Class of 1977 will be the main celebrant and homilist of the school community’s Catholic Schools Week 2018 Liturgy, which will take place in the gymnasium.

Saint Pius X Parish School (Delaware County) Saint Pius X will treat its students to a “Brain Show” assembly in the school, which looks and feels like a “live” tv game show set and requires students to answer interactive trivia questions and perform activities based upon current curriculum they are learning in school.  There will be two sessions for elementary and middle school students.

Saint Isidore Catholic School (Bucks County) First through sixth grade will take part in “Hoops for Heart” a program with the American Heart Association.  Students will shoot “hoops” with each basket counting toward the schools fundraising goal.  In addition to the basketball activity, students will be surprised with a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic.

Holy Rosary Regional Catholic School (Montgomery County) Holy Rosary Regional will celebrate its students on Tuesday during Catholic Schools Week with a “Student Appreciation Day.” Activities planned include an obstacle course filled with fun and challenging physical activities for students in Kindergarten through fourth grades in the school gymnasium.

Maternity BVM Parish School The entire school community, approximately 500 students, will gather together to sing the Eagles’ fight song in the Parish Hall.  After the song the entire school will be doing an Olympics style athletic competition.

Saint Norbert Catholic School (Chester County) Saint Norbert’s is holding a “Nickels to Knockout Cancer” school-wide event.  Students will bring in nickels and place them on the gymnasium floor in various designs.  The nickels will then be counted by students in upper grades and the money collected will be donated to help fight pediatric cancer.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Saint Michael the Archangel (Bucks County) On “Teacher & Staff Appreciation Day” Saint Michael the Archangel will hold an Eagles Spirit Day in preparation for Super Bowl LII.  Students and teachers will dress in their best Philadelphia Eagles gear.   A spirited morning pep rally complete with singing of “Fly Eagles Fly” will open the day in the school’s gymnasium.

Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School Drexel Pitch Competition Assembly will be held for all students in the school auditorium.  This assembly will feature a current student or a recent graduate of Drexel University who has participated in an educational/immersive approach for students and recent graduates to turn great ideas into great startups.

Saint Christopher Catholic School Saint Christopher School will be hosting a Reception/Assembly for Philadelphia Police, Fire, and First Responders from the community including parents, grandparents, and friends.  Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Department Commissioner Christine Coulter as well as the Captains, Lieutenants, and Community Relations Officers from the 7th District as well as Department Commissioner Loesch and Lieutenant Whalen of the Philadelphia Fire Department and firefighters from Engine 22.  The school has a large number of school parents and other family who serve in these areas so it is a well-attended and special event for all involved. This is the third year Saint Christopher School has hosted an event to honor its first responders with songs, poems, artwork, and small tokens of appreciation made by the students.

Saint Laurence Church (Delaware County) Saint Laurence School will take the time to “Celebrate Our Nation” and honor our veterans.  The day will begin with a Mass honoring Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans from the parish community have been invited to attend with students, faculty, and staff. During Mass the petitions read by students and the hymns sung by the school choir will be in honor of veterans.  A patriotic basket and signs made by students will be presented to veterans immediately following the Mass.

Corpus Christi Catholic School (Montgomery County) The famous traveling basketball troupe, The Harlem Wizards, will hold an assembly for students at Corpus Christi School in two 1-hour performances.  Several Harlem Wizard players will perform and participate basketball tricks and interactive games with students and teachers. The Harlem Wizards will also share an important message related to one or more of the following topics: character, teamwork, sportsmanship, healthy eating, and fitness.

Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School (Montgomery County) On “Faculty Appreciation Day” Good Shepherd students will take part in a “Minute-to-win-it” hour of challenges, trivia, and other interactive games with an emphasis on fun and learning.  Students in grades kindergarten through eighth will participate.

Saint Anastasia School (Delaware County) In celebration of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics, Saint Anastasia School will hold its own Olympics event.  Select students from pre-school through eighth and their prayer partners will compete together in a series of STEM and “minute-to-win-it” game challenges, which will all take on an Olympic theme.

Saint Katherine Day School (Montgomery County) Students at Saint Katherine Day School, one of four Schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will hold a “Music Works” interactive assembly as they celebrate two special themes, “Student Appreciation” and “Celebrate Your Nation” day.  Students, faculty, and staff will come to school on Wednesday in patriotic wear to celebrate the red, white, and blue colors in the American flag.

Saint Katherine Day School is a Life Skills program for students with intellectual or multiple disabilities and students with Autism with ages ranging from four and a half through 21 years old.

Thursday, February 1, 2018 

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes School (Delaware County) Thursday, February 1st promises to be a “Souper” Day at Saint Bernadette School as the community celebrates Catholic Schools Week and the Philadelphia Eagles’ first trip to the Super Bowl in 13 years.  This celebration coincides with the school’s annual collection of canned soup for residents of the Life Center in Upper Darby as well as a collection of items for residents of Holy Family Home, which is administered by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Southwest Philadelphia.

Students will wear Eagles gear, and, using virtual reality technology, will have the opportunity to “pose” with their favorite Eagles player.  During the pep rally student council members will share a reflection on the impact that sports leaders like Nick Foles and Carson Wentz have on today’s youth. These players’ deep faith and trust in a loving God, hard work, and a team effort have been inspiring to students at Saint Bernadette.

Nativity of Our Lord School (Bucks County) The school community began a food drive on January 22, 2018 in a nod to Saint Vincent de Paul, Nativity’s “Saint of the Month” for January, and his work with the poor.  The non-perishable food items collected will be donated to the Warminster Food Pantry.  Using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills of calculations, estimations, construction ideas, and creativity, the students will be using all of the food items in their packaging to construct various types of structures.  The ideas are unlimited, but could include, buildings, animals, landmarks, etc. on a 4’x 6’ mat in the gym.  The classes will have one hour to complete their structure and create a placard for the display.

Saint Ephrem Catholic School (Bucks County) Fifth through eighth grade students will assist their prayer partners in the younger grades, first through fourth, in assembling “Breakfast Bags” for the Aid for Friends Organization.  In addition to putting together the bags filled with breakfast related items such as tea bags, granola bars, fruit cups, etc., the students will work together to write personal care notes to be included in each bag.

Aid For Friends, begun by a parishioner of Saint Jerome Parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, serves the elderly, shut-ins, and those in need in the 5 county region, with daily home-cooked meals delivered weekly by volunteers.

Later that day, the school will hold its 2nd Eagles Pep Rally since the Bird’s playoff run began in the school gymnasium.  The Saint Ephrem students, faculty, and staff will be wearing their Eagles finery or green shirts to school that day and will also be asked to bring in a can of soup to celebrate “Soup-er Sunday” in honor of the many charities performed by the Eagles players, especially Carson Wentz, who inspired the school to add in this element.

Saint Genevieve School (Montgomery County) Saint Genevieve School will be having an Eagles Pep Rally on Thursday, February 1 at 12:45 p.m.  The comunity will gather together in the school yard and display a formation of the team name “Eagles” that will include all the students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight. The school will be taking pictures of the formation from the roof.  Following the picture students, faculty, and staff will head inside to hold their spirited pep rally in honor of the Birds and Super Bowl LII.

Holy Innocents Area Catholic Elementary School Holy Innocents students will welcome 16 students, in kindergarten through fourth grades, from Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments and Archbishop Ryan School for the Deaf, two of four Schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  The students will play a form of school Jeopardy with grade appropriate curriculum questions.  Students in the upper grades at Saint Lucy and Archbishop Ryan, fifth through eighth grades, often spend time with their peers for general education integration.  However, for many in the younger grades, their first visit to Holy Innocence will be during Catholic Schools Week.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe School (Chester County) Students in fourth through eighth grades at Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, will have the opportunity to hear from a variety speakers with different vocations during the school’s “Career Day” programming.  Presenters will include Pennsylvania State Senator Thomas Killion who will speak about his work in Harrisburg and answer students’ questions during two sessions.

Immaculate Heart of Mary A Religion Bee will be held in Father Sullivan Hall.  Students from different grades will compete to be the 4th Annual Religion Bee Champions in various grade levels.  Students, faculty, and staff will also form the audience for this competition.

Saint James Regional Catholic School (Delaware County)Saint James Regional will hold a Kahoot! Day at the school utilizing a web based software program to have students play interactive games and answer trivia in real-time using classroom tablets with curriculum appropriate questions based upon grades and classrooms.

Pope John Paul II High School (Montgomery County) Student athletes at Pope John Paul II (PJPII) taking part in Winter Sports including  boys’ and girls’ basketball and swimming as well as boys’ wrestling will be recognized during a school-wide pep rally.  PJPII students will show off their school spirit and be led by their cheer squad and school mascot to cheer on these winter athletes.

Saint Helena Catholic School (Montgomery County) Saint Helena will hold a spirited Eagles Pep Rally in its Recreation Center immediately following its annual Catholic Schools Week “Knowledge Bowl.”  After kindergarten through eighth grade students warm-up by testing their knowledge in their own education games they’ll cheer and sing for their favorite NFL team getting ready to compete in the Super Bowl.

Holy Trinity Catholic School (Bucks County) An Open House and School Showcase will open in the school cafeteria and will feature highlights such as a school choir performance and a look at the 21st Century Community Center.  Additionally, students in the eighth grade will present a “Living History Museum.”  The students selected and researched an impactful person from history, then embody them by using costumes and props.  Students, school families, and visitors will push a button on the museum wall and watch and listen as the historical figures come to life before their eyes.  Visitors will then have the opportunity to vote for categories including:  “Best Historical Portrait,” “Most Authentic,” “Best Use of Props,” and “Most Original.”

Saint Elizabeth Parish School (Chester County) The annual variety show held by Saint Elizabeth showcases its talented student musicians, singers, and dancers in the school gymnasium.  The students practice for several weeks in preparation for this showcase during Catholic Schools Week.

Sacred Heart School (Delaware County) Sacred Heart will be celebrating vocations in its classrooms on Thursday during Catholic Schools Week.  Vocations to the priesthood and religious life will be highlighted when Father Henry J. McKee, Pastor; Sister Rita Charles Smith, I.H.M., an assistant to Sacred Heart School, and Sister Kathryn Benham, I.H.M., Director of Religious Education speak to students in their classrooms and answer questions regarding religious vocations.  A prayer service will also be held at each grade level during the school day.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Holy Cross Catholic School (Delaware County) This Catholic Schools Week the students at Holy Cross are dedicating themselves to bringing “HOPE” to a family in their community by supporting Bringing Hope Home (BHH), a 501c3 charity, which pays household bills for local families with cancer.  During the week the school is raising awareness and funds by hosting a “HOPE” week with a goal of $600 to help a local family whose family matriarch is currently battling stage IV colorectal cancer.  The week-long activity includes student made cards, a “penny wars” collection on the gym floor, and encouragement bracelet making.

A Philadelphia Eagles themed dance party complete will also be held for students at Holy Cross on Friday, February 2nd.  Students, faculty, and staff will dress in their favorite Eagles gear and dance the morning away while also welcoming representatives from the Bringing Hope Home Organization (BHH) who will be on hand to thank the school community for their efforts during Catholic Schools Week.  The school will present BHH with the total dollar amount collected at that time.

Saint Mary Interparochial School, a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, will kick-off its year-long Golden Jubilee during Catholic Schools Week 2018.  On Friday, the school community will hold its Annual Maroon and White Games with a “Touch of Gold!”  These games are a spirited tradition involving students being divided into two teams.  All students are encouraged to wear a touch of gold during the games to celebrate the school’s Golden Jubilee.  The competition will include good-natured athletic challenges.

Several events and activities are planned to properly celebrate this important milestone for Saint Mary Interparochial throughout 2018, which will culminate with its first ever “Gala” on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Ballroom at the Ben in Philadelphia, which is being billed as, “A Celebration of Excellence in Catholic Education from Colonial to Contemporary.”  A strong planning committee has been assembled made up of teachers, parents and board members who are dedicated to the success of this year-long campaign and who look forward to inviting their supporters to join them as they celebrate the school’s rich history and academic success.

Our Lady of Hope Regional Catholic School Currently, Our Lady of Hope Regional Catholic School’s front windows facing Jackson Street in South Philadelphia are adorned with festive Philadelphia Eagles Decorations and the words, “God Bless Our Eagles.”  The school will be holding an Eagles Pep Rally on Friday, February 2nd at approximately 9:45 a.m. following its closing Catholic Schools Week Prayer Service for faculty and staff.  The list of activities for the pep rally will include:  football trivia, a football toss competition, a “Fly Eagles Fly” sing-a-long, and the opportunity to make a prediction of the final score for the Super Bowl – closest class wins a prize. Additionally Our Lady of Hope has sponsored a “Souper Bowl”; each student was asked to bring in a canned food item for Saint Francis Inn and in return they can wear an Eagles shirt – “Be a true fan and bring in a can” was the slogan.  Additionally, students will show off “underdog” masks they made earlier in the week in art classes.

Saint Genevieve Parish (Montgomery County) Saint Genevieve School will close out its Catholic Schools Week 2018 celebration with the theme of “Vocations” and a focus on “Celebrating Our Spiritual Life.”  Students in Kindergarten through eighth grades will attend Mass and pray their personally made spiritual bouquets.  A spiritual bouquet is simply a list of prayers the giver has offered or will offer for a special recipient or request.

Saint Theresa of Calcutta School (Montgomery County) On the Friday of Catholic Schools Week, Saint Theresa’s Pastor, Father Paul Brandt, has tasked students with writing prayers for their favorite football team/player in a lesson about prayer and fair competition.

Throughout Catholic Schools Week the faculty will be working with their students in creating Prayers for the Eagles.  Recognizing that God has no favorites, the children will be encouraged to pray that the Eagles play to their best abilities and that they and their opponents do not get injured.  This is the model of prayer that is encouraged at the school for young people when they participate in athletic competition or academic tests.  These prayers will be collected and presented at the First Friday Mass led by the third grade class.  As each class representative comes forward they will

light a vigil candle to reinforce the Catholic practice of lighting a candle for a prayer intention.  The entire student body will be encouraged to wear their Eagles gear to school that day.

Archbishop Ryan High School Mr. Michael Barnett, Class of 1990 and President of Archbishop Ryan since November 2017, will be officially installed as the school president at a special Mass in the school auditorium.

Christ the King School Christ the King School students, faculty, and staff, will all take on roles in a full-blown spirited Pep Rally in honor of the Philadelphia Eagles, beginning at 11:15 a.m. in the school/parish hall. This is also the culminating activity of Friday’s events for the last day of Catholic Schools Week at Christ the King.

Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls Students, faculty, and staff at Little Flower (LF) will celebrate the closing of Catholic Schools Week with the 6th annual school-wide Dance-a-Thon.  The theme for this year’s dance is, “Keep the Tradition in Motion.”  The dance-a-thon is an opportunity for our students to express gratitude for all they have received through the generosity of others including parents, alums, and friends, by “paying it forward” and dancing for others.  All proceeds are reserved for tuition assistance for future LF students.  The dance-a-thon is a chance for them to help LF students of the future who will follow them.  Students will pay a registration fee and also obtain sponsors for the event.

Saint Andrew Catholic School (Bucks County) To gear up for the game and celebrate the closing of Catholic Schools Week, Saint Andrews’s will hold an Eagles dress down day on Friday, February 2nd.  The children may wear green and white if they bring in at least one can of soup.   The school will then donate the soup to a local food pantry.  It’s a “Souper” Bowl fit for the big game.  Additionally, there will be an Eagles pep rally in the school gymnasium.  

Cardinal O’Hara High School (Delaware County) The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence (DGV/DPV), a division of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia serving men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will attend Don Guanella and Divine Providence Night at O’Hara hosted by Cardinal O’Hara High School’s Girls Basketball team and Community Service Corps.

Approximately 80 men and women from the DGV/DPV along with staff will be in attendance. In addition, they will cheer on the Cardinal O’Hara High School Girls Varsity Basketball team who will be playing Lansdale Catholic High School. The team will present men and women from DGV/DPV a signed basketball before the game’s tipoff.

The Community Service Corps ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is a service program that encourages students to become involved with their communities by working directly with children, the disabled, the elderly, the poor and the disadvantaged. Thousands of students work together throughout the year to build and develop a spirit of Christian community.

Throughout the year, the Cardinal O’Hara High School Community Service Corps hosts several events for men and women for DGV/DPV such as Thanksgiving and Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, carnivals in the school’s cafeteria, whiffle ball games in the gym, and much more.

Saints Peter and Paul Church Hall (Chester County) Saints Peter and Paul School’s sixth through eighth grade students will take part in a “Four Diamonds Mini-THON” dance marathon to conclude Catholic Schools Week and support children with pediatric cancers.  The students will don colorful costumes and dance the night away to popular music played by a DJ.

Four Diamonds Mini-THONs are interactive events for students of all ages that inspire teamwork, leadership and creativity, while empowering youth and young adults through philanthropy and community service in the fight to conquer childhood cancer. Mini-THONs are modeled after the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) and have been making a difference in the lives of childhood cancer patients and their families since 1993.

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 Editor’s Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.  For more information about National Catholic Schools Week please visit:  https://www.ncea.org/CSW.

Contact:

Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747 (office)