Archbishop Nelson Pérez Celebrates Catholic Catholic Schools Week with Community Service Event Featuring Over 300 Catholic Elementary, High School, and Special Education Students

Over 300 students from high schools, elementary schools, and schools of special education will package 2,500 care bags to benefit Nutritional Development Services’ Community Food Program

National Catholic Schools Week (CSW) began in 1974 and celebrates its Golden Anniversary this year. CSW will be celebrated nationally Sunday, January 28-Saturday, February 3, 2024. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. While observances will be ongoing in our schools and parishes throughout the week, Thursday, February 1, 2024, has been designated for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s keystone CSW event. The theme for that day is Celebrating Your Vocations.

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will mark that day by hosting a service initiative at Archbishop Ryan High School.

It will be the keystone event for the celebration of Catholic Schools Week (CSW) in the Archdiocese and feature participation from over 300 students representing Archdiocesan high schools, parish-based elementary schools, and schools of special education.  

These young people will combine efforts to package 2,500 relief bags with non-perishable items for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity who are served by Nutritional Development Services’ (NDS) Community Food Program. Handwritten notes with prayerful encouragement will also be included in the bags.

Archbishop Pérez will be joined by Ms. Heather Huot, Secretary for Catholic Human Services of Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Ms. Lizanne F. Hagedorn, Executive Director of Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Mr. David Stier, Assistant Director of Community Relations for Nutritional Development Services, as well as Mr. Joseph Sanginiti ’75, President of Archbishop Ryan High School, and Mr. Joseph McFadden ’97, Principal of Archbishop Ryan High School.

Archbishop Ryan High School students will participate in the event including Christopher Yengbeh ’24, a member of Student Council who will sing the National Anthem, William Killian ’24, Ambassador Co-President will lead all in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jessica Linneman ’24, Ambassador Co-President will lead all gathered in a special Catholic Schools Week prayer.

Thursday, February 1, 2024
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Archbishop Ryan High School – South Gym
11201 Academy Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154

Leadership from the Office of Catholic education including Mr. Jay DeFruscio, Chief Operating Officer for Secondary Schools, Andrew McLaughlin, Ed.D., Secretary for Elementary Education, and Brooke Tesche, Ed.D., Superintendent for Secondary Schools and Schools of Special Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be present and participate in the service activity.

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. 

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.  

In addition to packaging the bags students will have an opportunity to hear from Mr. David Stier, Assistant Director of Community Relations for NDS on the tremendous impact their act of service will have in assisting members of the community in need.  

Background Information on Nutritional Development Services

For over 50 years, NDS’ mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food and food-related resources. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally-funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program.

NDS’ Community Food Program supports a network of 50 food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region including five food cupboards operated by Catholic Social Services, five soup kitchens, and numerous community outreach programs.

NDS is an equal opportunity service provider. For more information about NDS, please visit nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.

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Editor’s Note: For information Archbishop Ryan High School, please visit www.archbishopryan.com/. For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit aopcatholicschools.org/. For information about Catholic Schools Week, please visit here.

Contact:

Meredith Wilson
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747