FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Catholic Schools Celebration Set for Last Week of January

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, January 4, 2007 — Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic schools and their contribution to their community and the nation is set for Jan. 27 through Feb. 2, 2008.  For more than three decades, the nation’s Catholic schools have spent the last week of January recalling what makes Catholic education special.

The 2008 theme is “Catholic Schools Light the Way,” which highlights the mission of Catholic schools to provide a faith-based education that supports the whole child academically and spiritually and prepares students for future success. 

Across the diocese, the 58 parish, regional and independent Catholic schools will observe the week with special Masses, community service projects, academic and artistic showcases and athletic and family events.  Many schools will hold open houses so that community members can learn more about the value of Catholic education.

“If you haven’t visited a Catholic school before, or it’s been a long time since you’ve been in one, I invite you to visit during Catholic Schools Week,” said Sister Joanne Callahan, OSU, superintendent of schools, Diocese of Rockville Centre.  “You will see the amazing work our students are doing.”

Sister Joanne said that more than 99 percent of Catholic elementary school students wanting a Catholic high school education have been accepted.  In addition, over 99 percent of students attending Catholic high schools are accepted into college, with many receiving scholarships.

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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.