[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 253-254]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNITION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, starting January 29 of this year, 
Catholic schools across the country will initiate their annual 
observance of Catholic Schools Week. The theme for this year is 
``Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.''
  The 2012 theme emphasizes the principles of Catholic school 
education, which families in my district and across the country highly 
value. The theme focuses on three priorities that are distinct to 
Catholic schools. Children are taught faith, not just the basics of 
Christianity, but how to have a relationship with their God; academics, 
in which Catholic schools are held to very high standards.
  Earlier this year I was proud to recognize the Nativity of our Lord 
Catholic School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, for receiving the 2011 
National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award.

                              {time}  1050

  Finally, the third principle in the 2012 theme is service, the giving 
of one's time and effort to help others. It is taught both as an 
expression of faith but also of good citizenship.
  Schools typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with mass, open 
houses, and activities for students, families, parishioners, and the 
community at

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large. In addition to this year's list of activities, some schools in 
my district will host events welcoming families from schools with which 
they will be merging. While the Archdiocese of Philadelphia 
contemplates its plans for continuing to provide students with a 
rigorous academic curriculum in concert with spiritual values, families 
and parishioners can reflect upon the three principles of Catholic 
Schools Week--faith, academics, service--not simply as a theme but also 
as a guide for their future decisions.
  Mr. Speaker, Catholic Schools Week is truly a time to demonstrate the 
intangible value of Catholic education. I'm extremely grateful for the 
hard work and dedication of the administrators, faculty, students, and 
parents who've created an environment fostering academic excellence, 
spirituality, and service.

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