CATHOLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
CELEBRATE 51st ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
The National Catholic Schools Week 2025 Theme is “United in Faith and Community”
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join in the 51st Anniversary of the national observance of Catholic Schools Week (CSW) January 26, 2025–February 1, 2025.
Established in 1974, CSW is an annual celebration of the Christ-centered, faith-based education that students receive in the 102 elementary, 15 secondary, and 3 special education schools in the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese. The national theme for Catholic Schools Week 2025 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will host a service initiative at Father Judge High School for Boys’ new Career Pathways Academy. This is the keystone event for the celebration of CSW in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and will feature participation from hundreds of students representing Archdiocesan high schools, parish and regional elementary schools, and schools of special education.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Father Judge High School – Career Pathways Academy
3301 Solly Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136
These young people will combine efforts to package approximately 1,500 care bags with non-perishable items for individuals served by Catholic Social Services’ Martha’s Choice Marketplace and Community Farm in Montgomery County.
Additional Catholic Schools Week Events
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Saint Hilary of Poitiers School
(Montgomery County)
Saint Hilary of Poitiers School will host an Open House highlighting academic and extracurricular offerings following an Opening Catholic Schools Week Mass (10:30 a.m.), where alumni of St. Hilary have been invited to “pack the pews.” During the open house, faculty, administrators, staff, and student representatives will be available to answer questions and provide demonstrations. Tours of the campus will be open to current and prospective school families, parishioners, and friends.
Saint Pius X School:
(Delaware County)
Saint Pius X School, A 2019 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, is hosting its annual Open House immediately following the opening Mass for Catholic Schools Week. Current and prospective families are invited to tour the school. Throughout the week special activities will honor students, faculty, the community, and the nation.
Monday, January 27, 2025
Bishop Shanahan High School:
(Chester County)
The Bishop Shanahan High School community will welcome Bishop Christopher R. Cooke, who was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia in March 2024, as the main celebrant of their opening Catholic Schools Week Mass. In addition to the celebration of the Eucharist, during the school-wide Mass, students who have exhibited their strong faith on campus will be recognized with a “Beacon of Faith Award.”
Notre Dame de Lourdes School:
(Delaware County)
The junior high aged students of Notre Dame de Lourdes School will host retired senior citizens from the parish community for a “Senior Games” including participating in favorite board games, “get to know you” social activities, and refreshments.
Saint Mary Interparochial School:
(Philadelphia)
Saint Mary Interparochial School, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2023 and 2016 and an Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction in 2024 will install sixth grade National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) students during its Annual Catholic Schools Week Mass at Old Saint Joseph’s Church. The NJHS Chapter of Saint Mary Interparochial is committed to the NHJS national mission of, “elevating a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.”
Visitation BVM School:
(Montgomery County)
Visitation BVM School, a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, will host its annual Academic Fair and Art Show for school families. This event gives the students and faculty the opportunity to demonstrate and display students’ work, projects, and achievements, during the first half of the school year, including STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) curriculum.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Nativity of Our Lord School:
(Bucks County)
Nativity of Our Lord School, a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, will host school family members who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and first responders for a thank you breakfast and in recognition of the CSW daily theme, “Celebrating Our Nation.” Approximately 40 family members are expected to attend. Those in attendance will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by students in Pre-K3 and will be treated to a patriotic musical performance by first grade students.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe School:
(Chester County)
Saint Maximilian Kolbe School, a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, will hold a special Eighth Grade Culinary Competition. Members of the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Class of 2025 will show off their cooking skills for judges including faculty, staff, and administrators of the school.
Saint Andrew School:
(Delaware County)
Students in grades fifth through eighth at Saint Andrew School will participate in the school’s local religion bee competition and will answer questions related to topics from Catholic curriculum and Sacred Scripture.
The student who wins the local competition at Saint Andrew will advance to a regional competition. The top 12 students from this regional contest will advance to the finals of the Archdiocesan Religion Bee, which will be held in early March at the Shrine of Saint John Neumann in Philadelphia.
Saint Genevieve School:
(Montgomery County)
Saint Genevieve School, a three-time recipient of the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2000, 2006, and 2016) and a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, will welcome back alumni to dialogue with current students about their career paths and how their Catholic education has contributed to their success during a special presentation.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School:
(Chester County)
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will visit Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School (PJPII) in West Brandywine (Chester County), a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, and celebrate a bilingual Mass for the school community. Reverend Juan Mora, FM, Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Coatesville; Reverend Daniel Gnangba, FM, Parochial Vicar of Saint Joseph Parish in Coatesville; and Reverend Michael Olivere, Pastor of Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine, will concelebrate.
During Mass, PJP II students will serve as readers, altar servers, and present the offertory gifts. In addition, members of the school’s student choir will provide music.
Editor’s Note: A separate media advisory containing more details regarding the Archbishop’s visit to PJPII is being distributed by the Archdiocesan Office for Communications.
Saint Dorothy School:
(Delaware County)
Saint Dorothy School, a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, will celebrate its beloved community helpers and volunteers with a school-wide prayer service in its gymnasium, in recognition of all they do for the students, faculty, and staff throughout the school year.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Father Judge High School – Career Pathways Academy:
(Philadelphia)
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will mark the day by hosting a service initiative at Father Judge High School for Boys’ new Career Pathways Academy building.
It will be the keystone event for the celebration of Catholic Schools Week (CSW) in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and feature participation from hundreds of students representing Archdiocesan high schools, parish-based elementary schools, and schools of special education.
These young people will combine efforts to package 1,500 care bags with non-perishable items for individuals served by Catholic Social Services’ Martha’s Choice Marketplace and Community Farm. Handwritten notes with prayerful encouragement will also be included in the bags.
Editor’s Note: A separate media advisory containing more details on the Archbishop’s participation in the service initiative at Father Judge High School is being distributed by the Archdiocesan Office for Communications.
Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School:
(Delaware County)
The Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast (BP) Student Council will host a special celebration during Catholic Schools Week honoring religious alumni of BP. This event is an opportunity to come together as a faith community and inspire its student body with the beauty and importance of choosing a religious vocation. Approximately 35 BP alumni religious will attend Mass and enjoy a breakfast reception at the school. The event was organized by the BP Advancement Team
Friday, January 31, 2025
Saint Agnes School:
(Chester County)
Saint Agnes School, a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 2024 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction, buried a time capsule in 2015. In honor of Catholic Schools Week 2025, they will open the capsule with celebration and fanfare by current students, faculty, administrators, and staff of Saint Agnes School.
Our Lady of Mercy Regional School:
(Montgomery County)
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School, a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, will hold a Four Diamonds Mini-THON® in support of the fight against childhood cancer to close out Catholic Schools Week 2025.
# # #
Editor’s Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Schools website. For more information on the National Celebration of Catholic Schools Week, visit the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).
Contact:Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747 (office)