[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             IN HONOR OF SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WEYMOUTH, MA

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                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sacred Heart School 
in recognition of its one hundred years of educating the children of 
Weymouth and Braintree, Massachusetts.
  Sacred Heart School was founded in 1913 by the Sisters of Saint 
Joseph at the request of Father John B. Holland. The school had a 
humble beginning with thirty-three first graders who were taught in the 
dining room of the convent under the direction of Sister Margaret Mary.
  Today, Sacred Heart School serves over 260 students. Though it is now 
staffed by an all-lay faculty, the qualities of the Sisters of Saint 
Joseph live on through the commitment and dedication of the teachers.
  Mister Speaker, the Sacred Heart School is committed to developing 
the whole child, in mind, body, and spirit, by integrating a strong 
academic program with a distinctly Catholic education; as a result, 
Sacred Heart students consistently score above the average on 
standardized tests. Community service is also an important component of 
a Sacred Heart education and the commitment to that service helps 
students develop a strong sense of civic engagement and lifelong 
sensitivities to improving the welfare of others.
  A strong bond between the parish and school has long been a trademark 
of Sacred Heart. When a fire destroyed Sacred Heart Church in December 
of 2005, the school and parish communities came together to support one 
another during the difficult rebuilding process.
  Another important trademark of Sacred Heart School is the level of 
parental involvement. Through the school's Home and School Volunteer 
Program, parents contribute nearly seven thousand hours of direct 
service to the school each year, which allows the school to offer a 
variety of academic and social programs for students.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House 
today to join with the Sacred Heart School community in celebrating one 
hundred years of Catholic education.

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