Saint Agnes School in West Chester to Hold Blue Mass and First Responders Parade in Recognition of National First Responders Day
Saint Agnes School in West Chester (Chester County) will hold a Blue Mass in honor of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and first responders. Reverend Louis P. Bellopede, Pastor of Saint Agnes Parish, will be the celebrant.
Representatives from the color guard and emergency responders will participate in the procession. In addition, Mrs. Bernadette Dougherty, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be present.
Friday, October 28, 2022
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Saint Agnes Church
233 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19380 (Chester County)
Following Mass, the Saint Agnes community will gather for a First Responders Parade. The parade will take place on Gay Street directly in front of Saint Agnes School. Friday, October 28, is also National First Responders Day.
Background Information on Saint Agnes School
Saint Agnes School is celebrating its 150th anniversary this academic year. The school was founded by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters in 1872 and is the oldest elementary school in Chester County. SAS opens its doors daily for over 300 students in grades pre-k (3yrs old – 4yrs old) through eighth grades in a faith-based, nurturing, and affirming learning environment.
The school’s mission is to develop every student spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially in a faith-based joyful environment that inspires integrity, citizenship, leadership, and service to others as disciples of Jesus Christ, in the church and in the world.
In 2019 and 2020, Saint Agnes received the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education Schools of Distinguished Instruction award for exceeding growth expectations or benchmarks in academic achievement via standardized testing (Terra Nova). For two consecutive years, the school showed between 90% – 100% growth at every level tested in every content area. In addition, the school was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1990 and 2015. For additional information about Saint Agnes School, please visit saintagnesschoolwc.org/.
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Editor’s Note:
For additional information on Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit aopcatholicschools.org/.
Contact:Meredith Wilson
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747