[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1215-1216]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 26, 2015

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, it comes as no surprise that the 2015 
theme for Catholic Schools Week is ``Catholic Schools: Communities of 
Faith, Knowledge and Service.'' As a man of faith and a graduate of 
Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, I can tell you that both my 
wife Kathy and I have benefitted greatly from our value-centered 
Catholic upbringing. As have each of our six children--Katie, Maggie, 
Molly, Jimmy, Mick and Tommy.
  In the 8th District of Pennsylvania, we have so many proud Catholic 
institutions to send our children to. The commitment of the Archdiocese 
of Philadelphia to our local community is unmatched. These local 
institutions have spent years building solid communities of faith and 
knowledge--all of which give back to the greater community in many 
ways. The rigorous academic curriculum, coupled with spiritual 
teachings of passion, kindness and respect, give our children the 
background they need to be upstanding citizens.

[[Page 1216]]

  In the words of Pope Francis, ``It is important not to turn in on 
ourselves, burying our own talent, our spiritual, intellectual, and 
material riches, everything that the Lord has given us, but, rather to 
open ourselves, to be supportive, to be attentive to others. Set your 
stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, the ideals 
of service that make your talents fruitful. Life is not given to us to 
be jealously guarded for ourselves, but is given to us so that we may 
give it in turn.'' Our Catholic School upbringing teaches us to be the 
best that we can be, and in turn, use the skills that we acquire to 
give back to the community. I truly value everything that our local 
Catholic Schools bring to our area, and I am honored to celebrate with 
you this week.

                          ____________________