Catholic Schools Still Different Where It Counts

Celebrate Catholic Schools Week came to a close on Saturday, Feb. 1. Throughout the Diocese of Camden, schools sponsored open houses; special liturgies and prayer services; academic competitions and showcases; meals for seniors, volunteers and other special people; events to celebrate diverse cultures;

activities to foster community spirit; and an onslaught of service projects.

Catholic schools are known for these activities and more throughout the year, so why the need for a concentrated week? For Sister Sheila Murphy, principal at Cape Trinity Catholic School in Wildwood, it’s all about tradition. She remembers the first Catholic Schools Week, 1974.

“‘Different Where It Counts.’ That was the first tagline and I’ve always loved it. It stayed with me,” said Sister Sheila. She said she thinks about the tagline at the opening Mass every year, a Mass that could not happen outside a Catholic school community, the perfect example of how Catholic schools are different where it counts. According to Sister Sheila, this year’s Mass was particularly special because it was also the conclusion of the parish mission at the school’s primary parish, Notre Dame de la Mer. Turnout from school families was high, and Mass was followed by a parish lunch.

Service is the other element of Catholic Schools Week Sister Sheila cherishes. Like many other schools, Cape Trinity Catholic honors local first responders during the week. Students bring items for gift baskets, which are hand-delivered by families to several police and fire stations. Toiletry bags are also assembled by students and delivered to The Branches, a center in Rio Grande that cares for individuals who are homeless.

“We do some things just for fun, too,” said Sister Sheila, citing the teacher-student volleyball game as a highlight.

For anyone who might have missed the chance to visit during Catholic Schools Week, no worries. The doors to South Jersey Catholic Schools are open for visits, and students are welcome to shadow and discover the difference in a Catholic school education. Find a school near you at

www.southjerseycatholicschools.org

*Shamrock Celebration Honoring Principal Ed Beckett

Please join us for a fun-filled evening honoring Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett, whose exemplary guidance and direction has ushered in the next generation of our community leaders.

**Music will be rocking with a live performance by

The Broken Shillelaghs

**Lovely, lively Irish dance by Jordan – Hunt School of Irish Dance

**Delicious traditional dinner, as well as dessert selection and cold beer! Full cash bar with extensive selection, including Irish Coffee in commemorative glass mug, will be available.

**The event will also feature an “Irish Auction” with gift baskets, 50/50, and door prizes, as well as our Queen of Ireland Specialty

Imports Shop!

Friday, March 6, 2020 – 6:30 PM. $25

Elizabeth’s Ballroom

419 Highland Blvd, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030

Tickets:

Purchase tickets

online

, or in person at

St. Mary’s Rectory

Carr’s Hardware

Sunshine Flowers and Gifts

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

NJ IRISH SOCIETY, 420 MONMOUTH STREET, GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ, 08030

Long-Time Gloucester City Resident and Vietnam War Veteran Needs Our Help

By CNBNews Staff

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 11, 2020)(CNBNewsnet)

—Bob Kotter, who was born and raised in Gloucester City, needs some help from his friends and residents of the community. Bob is battling stage 4 prostate cancer. A U.S. Marine, Bob fought in the Vietnam War. He believes his cancer was caused by Agent Orange which was dropped on the jungles of Vietnam by U.S. planes and helicopters to kill the heavy vegetation.

Bob Kotter (2018 CNBNews photo)

Recently his chemotherapy was increased to four times a week as cancer has spread to his bones.

For a decade or more Bob lived in the family home in the 400 block of Market Street taking care of his elderly parents. He cooked their meals, kept them and the house cleaned, and made sure they got to the doctors and received their medications. After his mother died the house was sold and he was left without a roof over his head.

\”A community activist,

I first met Bob in 2006-07 when he was trying to get the City of Gloucester City to clean up their parking lot at Fifth and Powell Street,\” said Bill Cleary Sr., editor of CNBNews. \”The lot was being used by junkies to shoot up. Empty needles and glassine bags were thrown around the lot in plain view. It was also an eyesore as a result of the trash and broken down cars on the lot.\”

From the 2007 article:

The city property was once the site of the Quaker Food store and the former Sand Bar. The City tore down the properties in the 1980s, paved it with asphalt, and put up an 8-foot high cyclone fence.

Kotter said during the interview,“that was the last time we saw the City. The fence has been decaying for the past several years. People used the vacant property to store their unlicensed vehicles and for changing the oil in their cars.”

Gloucester City Public Parking Lot is an Eyesore & \”Drug Den\”

In 2016 Bob fought against the terrible odor that was coming from the Blueknight Energy Partners asphalt plant on Water Street, home to eight million barrels of asphalt. Kotter told the Philadelphia Inquirer, \”Sometimes the fumes burn your eyes,\” he said. \”My elderly parents who lived four blocks from the plant have been putting up with it for years. But nobody does anything about it even though I have complained to numerous environmental agencies.\”

Gloucester City Residents are Fuming Over Fumes

Bob loved to walk through the city. He wore a wide brim light green hat with a US Marine emblem. You could tell by his walk he was military. He would start from his parent\’s home on Market Street head west to the riverfront and cover the entire city ending back at Market and Powell Streets. When he saw that the old GAF power plant was being demolished he was concerned that the property wasn\’t properly sealed, and, was worried the asbestos inside would spread to the nearby residential neighborhood.

\”As a result of his tip, we discovered some interesting history about the GAF power plant that we and the public would never have known if it wasn\’t for him,\” said Cleary.

Demolition Work on the 111-Year-Old GAF Power Plant

He loved Gloucester City and it upset him to see what was happening to certain neighborhoods in the community. He was quick to point out faults in the hopes by doing so improvements would be made. Take for example in 2018 when he wrote a letter to CNBNews about the condition of the entrance to the city on South Broadway, along with the pot holes on Jersey Avenue, two main highways coming in and out of the city.

\”I have attached some photos showing the deplorable road conditions on South Broadway when you enter Gloucester City from Brooklawn and the pot holes on Jersey Avenue from South Broadway to King Street,\” said Kotter.

\”These streets are so bad that if you hit some of the bumps doing the speed limit it will throw you right out of your vehicle\’s seat. I can\’t imagine what it does to the front end of your car/truck. Year in and year out these conditions have been allowed to exist. It is a disgrace. I give the person a thumbs up for the nice job he/she did in painting the new yellow lines on the street. However, painting dividing lines in the street before you repair the potholes is just plain stupid. \”

Deplorable Streets Need to be Repaired

\”Bob\’s heart was always in the right place\”, said Cleary.

\”He had no ulterior motive. He wasn\’t running for any political office. Nor did he have an ax to grind. If he saw something wrong he tried his best to fix it because of his love for Gloucester City. Please keep him in your prayers as he needs our help now both spiritually and financially.\”

Send your check to Runnemede VFW,

℅ Tim Salamatin, 13 East Sixth Street, Runnemede, NJ 08087. Make the check payable to Bob Kotter.

You can also send a Get Well card to Bob at the same address.

(published Feb. 11, 2020) https://www.gloucestercitynews.net

)

St. Mary\’s Parish Secretary Dan Spencer Resigning

by CNBNews Staff

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 10, 2020)—St. Mary\’s Parish Secretary Dan Spencer will be stepping down from his position on April 9 after serving in that capacity for the past 2.5

years.

When asked about a rumor that he was resigning from his mayor position he laughed. \”No, I am resigning from my full-time job as a parish secretary. It is just too much juggling that job with the mayor\’s position. I am going to do some part-time work and focus more time on being mayor. The new parish community center (next to the rectory) will be opening in April and I felt that this was a good time to make a move. I spoke with Monsignor Hodge (pastor) about it and he understood my reasons. I will still be helping the parish in some way once a week.\”

Spencer, who was elected as mayor of Gloucester City in November 2018, began his four-year term in January 2019 succeeding Bill James.

Prior to taking over the mayor position, he was a city councilman.

Five years ago Spencer retired from his job with Camden County with 30 years of service.

published

gloucestercitynews.net

January 2019 CNBNews CHEERS AND JEERS

Bill James, The Longest Serving Mayor in Gloucester City\’s History Dies Suddenly

Celebrate Gloucester Catholic Pride on Maroon & Gold Day

gostrum

January 2020

/ Comments are Disabled

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ–Join us in a celebration of Gloucester Catholic pride as GC will sponsor a Maroon & Gold Day Exposition on Saturday, February 8, 2020 in which Ram students will display their talents in the arts. During the day’s activities, come view beautiful art work displayed by Gloucester Catholic students, who are mentored by GCHS faculty member Mr. Dave Sipple. Art work will be on display on the first floor of the St. Mary’s Building from 12 noon through 2 pm.

Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett Selected as Grand Marshal For St. Patrick\’s Day Parade!

Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Fifth Annual St. Mary\’s Parish and Gloucester City St. Patrick\’s Day

Parade. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 1 starting at 1:00 pm.

Mr. Beckett will receive his Grand Marshal sash from Bishop Sullivan at the 9:30 am Irish Mass at St. Mary\’s Church..

Mr. Beckett has served as Gloucester Catholic\’s Principal since August 2013 and is highly regarded for his work with youth and his devotion to the Catholic Community. Mr. Beckett also served the school as Assistant Principal for Spiritual Formation for 8 years. An alumnus of the Gloucester Catholic Class of 1978, he previously taught at St. Joseph\’s Preparatory School and served as an administrator at Boston College High School.

The Parade begins at Martin\’s Lake (Baynes Ave and Johnson Blvd) and continues down Monmouth Street, and will feature String Bands, Bagpipes, Irish Dancers, Irish Music. Memorabilia, and Community Organizations.

Gloucester Catholic alumni are encouraged to attend the parade, and are invited to march with the school\’s contingent as we salute

Mr. Beckett as well as celebrate Irish Pride and the great city of Gloucester!

Local parade officials also announced that Mr. Beckett will receive the First Community Impact Award on Friday, March 6, at Elizabeth Ballroom in Gloucester City. Doors will open for the event beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling the Rectory at (856) 456-0052.

Link to St. Patrick\’s Day Parade Festivities

For further information please contact St. Mary Rectory at (856) 456-0052. You may also click on the link below for general information and a sponsorship registration form!

General Information on St. Patrick\’s Day Parade and Activities

Thank You from St. Mary\’s Parish and Gloucester Catholic

GUEST OPINION: Radical Muslims And Leftists Are A Threat

Bill Donahue | CNBNews Contributor

January 28, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments

on who is attacking Christians

Attacks on Christianity, throughout the world, emanate from two principal sources: radical Muslims and leftists. The role played by radical Muslims is detailed in the 2020 World Watch List published by Open Doors; the Gatestone Institute cites radical Muslims as well, but it also mentions the role played by radical left-wing groups.

By using the data provided by Open Doors, of the 50 most oppressive nations for Christians to live in, 38 are run by Muslims and 4 are Communist controlled; the other 8 are neither Muslim nor Communist states.

For all the talk about an Islamic Reformation, it appears that nothing has changed. The violence against Christians is epidemic, yet there is little in the way of Christian persecution of Muslims.

If Muslims run three out of four of the most violent places in the world for Christians to live, radical left-wing groups are responsible for the lion\’s share of anti-Christian attacks in the secular nations of Western Europe. The Gatestone Institute\’s research shows that approximately 3,000 Christian churches, schools, cemeteries and monuments were defaced or destroyed there in 2019.

France and Germany are the most anti-Christian nations in Europe; Spain is also notorious for its assaults on Christianity. That these nations are beacons of secularism cannot be denied. Theirs may be a softer persecution than is true in Islamic nations—the left-wing activists favor arson, defecation, looting, mockery, profanation, Satanism, theft, urination, and vandalism to armed attacks on individuals—but it is no less menacing.

Muslim nations that persecute Christians have their origins in the most extreme interpretations of Islam. But what accounts for the anti-Christian assaults by radical secularists?

The Gatestone researchers sought to understand the motives of the anti-Christian acts in Western Europe. Vandalism and theft were two of the four listed in the report; there was nothing extraordinary about these findings. The other two motives were more revealing: they were grounded in politics and religion.

\”Some attacks\” they said, \”especially those against Roman Catholicism, which some radical feminists and radical secularists perceive to be a symbol of patriarchal power and authority, are political in nature. Such attacks include defacing churches and religious symbols with political graffiti, much of it anarchist or feminist in nature.\”

\”Many attacks that appear to be religious or spiritual in nature reflect a deep-seated hostility toward Christianity. Such attacks include smearing feces on representations of Jesus Christ or statues of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Other attacks involve the defilement of or theft of Communion wafers…[which] may be the work of Satanists, who use the consecrated host in a ritual called the Black Mass.\”

Radical feminists, radical secularists, anarchists, and Satanists. What do they have in common? They are all aligned with the politics of the left.

No one doubts that radical feminists and radical secularists are among the most influential left-wing activists in the western world. More contentious is the proposition that anarchists and Satanists are also associated with left-wing politics.

Historically, some extremists on the right have been anarchists, but today anarchists more typically resemble Antifa in the United States. \”Anarchists and antifascists, often called the antifa, are factions of the far left who feel they are not represented by the mainstream Democratic Party.\” That description, offered by a reporter for the Washington Post, is accurate.

The Church of Satan says it has no \”official\” political position. Yet a look at the positions staked out by The Satanic Temple are squarely on the left: for instance, their support for abortion-on-demand is so extreme that it is impossible to go beyond it.

Many who have followed the litany of anti-Christian offenses in Western Europe have noted how left-wing the perpetrators are.

Ellen Fantini, director of The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe, says her organization has documented that \”churches and other symbols of Christianity in Europe are targets for many groups—from Islamists to radical feminists, LGBT activists to anarchists and self-proclaimed Satanists.\” Four of the five groups mentioned (the last four) are clearly in the camp of leftists.

The bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, Dominique Rey, agrees, but goes one step further. \”We are witnessing the convergence of laicism—conceived as secularism, which relegates the faithful only to the private sphere and where every religious denomination is banal or stigmatized—with the overwhelming emergence of Islam, which attacks the infidels and those who reject the Koran.\”

It is striking to note that radical Muslims and radical left-wing activists prefer to attack Christianity, but not each other. Yet in terms of their respective worldviews, they could not be more different, particularly on matters governing marriage, the family, and sexuality. Moreover, as Bishop Rey observes, Christianity is being privatized while Islam is expanding in Western Europe. How can this be?

There is no cabal at work. What conjoins the two radical wings, one religious and the other secular, is hatred of Christianity. But the source of their animosity is not the same. Radical Muslims want to conquer the West but cannot do so without attacking the Christian roots of Western civilization. Radical secularists want a full-blown libertine society—a sexual Shangri-La—but cannot do so without also attacking the Christian roots of Western civilization.

Christians are fighting for their lives against radical Muslims, and are fighting for their heritage against radical left-wing activists. They are the only sane players in this very sick development. More important, Christianity is the only tonic that can save us from their ravages.

SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2020

The National Catholic Schools Week Theme:

“Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed”

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join in the national observance of Catholic Schools Week

January 26, 2020 – February 1, 2020. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of the Christ-centered, faith-based education that students receive in the 119 elementary, 17 secondary, and 4 schools of special education in the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese. The national theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CORNERSTONE EVENT

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD TO CELEBRATE

MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR DEDICATED TEACHERS

CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

Teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year to be honored.

Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be joined by senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education as well as teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year for a special Mass.

Friday, January 31, 2020

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Chapel

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Following Mass, Bishop Fitzgerald along with senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education will join these teachers for a reception in recognition of their commitment to the school communities they have faithfully served.

1:00 p.m.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Center – Auditorium

222 North 17th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Mass and portions of the reception will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools Facebook page

www.facebook.com/AOPSschools/

ADDITIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK EVENTS

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Saint Joseph/Saint Robert School; 850 Euclid Avenue, Warrington, PA 18976

9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

will host an Open House for prospective families on the opening day of Catholic Schools Week.

The school offers education from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school has an option for five half or full day Pre-K and Kindergarten. Applications are being accepted for all grades. Saint Joseph/Saint Robert 7th & 8th grade students will greet and act as tour guides for interested families.

Bishop Shanahan High School; 220 Woodbine Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 (Chester County)

10:00 a.m. (Mass)

will kick off Catholic Schools Week with a Mother/Son Mass and Communion Breakfast. The breakfast will be held at the Downingtown Country Club; 93 Country Club Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335. The school will also host its annual Father/Daughter dance on Saturday, January 25th from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. This year’s theme is, “Ties and Tiaras.”

Saint Norbert Catholic School; 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, PA 19301 (Chester County)

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

During its Catholic Schools Week Open House, Saint Norbert Catholic School will welcome current and prospective school families for a tour of its school. Additionally, the school will showcase its students work and the lessons they tackle in their classrooms each day with the instruction of their teachers. Saint Norbert, Upper School’s curriculum is bolstered through 1:1 computing and the use of iPads daily in the classroom and at home, with iPads provided to each Lower School classroom to complement traditional learning approaches. In 2019, Saint Norbert 8th graders earned $249,000 in scholarships to archdiocesan and private high schools.

Saint Dorothy Catholic School; 1225 Burmont Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (Delaware County)

11:30 a.m. (Mass); 12:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Open House)

Saint Dorothy Catholic School’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week begins with a special Mass on Sunday, January 26 at 11:30 a.m. Following the conclusion of Mass, current and prospective families are invited to tour the school, view student work, and meet the faculty. Additionally, the school’s Book Fair will be open between the 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. Masses.

Saint Albert the Great Catholic School; 214 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 18976 (Montgomery County)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To showcase its students array of strengths in STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math), Saint Albert the Great is kicking off Catholic Schools Week with a “Showcase of Excellence.” The hallways will be filled with it student projects and live demonstrations by students. Visitors will be able to see all the hard work students have put in, so far, for the 2019-2020 school year.

Saint Peter the Apostle Church (Shrine of Saint John Neumann); 1019 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

9:30 a.m.

Saint Peter the Apostle School will celebrate the Opening of Catholic Schools Week with a Mass at the Saint Peter the Apostle Church, home to the Shrine of Saint John Neumann. Saint John Neumann is one of two local saints in Philadelphia and the founder of the first Catholic School System in America. Immediately following Mass, the school will have refreshments in the Atrium. Many school families will take part in the Mass and students will assist with the liturgical celebration.

Archbishop Wood Catholic High School; 655 York Road, Warminster, PA 18974 (Bucks County)

2:00 p.m.

For over 30 years, Archbishop Wood has sponsored an “Elementary School Writing Contest” and for the past two decades the awards ceremony takes place on the Sunday of Catholic Schools Week.

In November, writing prompts were sent to all of the surrounding elementary schools. Students were invited to submit an essay. Hundreds of submissions were received and three winners from each grade were selected. During the Awards Ceremony, the winners will be invited to read their essay. Five eighth grade winners will be selected and two of these winners will receive a $500 scholarship to attend Archbishop Wood for the 2020-2021 academic year. Members of The National Honor Society of Archbishop Wood judged the essays. At the Awards Ceremony, the president of the National Honor Society will also addresses the assembly. Families of participants are invited to attend as well. Each winner will receive a certificate and a gift card.

Monday, January 27, 2020

Our Lady of Good Counsel School; 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA 18966 (Bucks County)

8:00 a.m.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School will open its doors on what it has deemed “Parent Appreciation Day” for an Open House. The school is inviting all parents and guardians to visit with their sons and daughters in their daily learning environment and see students putting their learned skills in STREAM curriculum into action.

Saint Elizabeth Catholic School; 120 Saint Elizabeth Drive, Chester Springs, PA 19425 (Chester County)

11:15 a.m.

Students in fourth through eighth grades will have the opportunity to compete in the school-wide annual spelling bee in the school gymnasium.

Archbishop John Carroll High School and Saint Katherine Day School (Radnor Site); 211 Matson Ford Road, Radnor, PA 19087 (Delaware County)

9:10 a.m.

Archbishop John Carroll High School

and

Saint Katherine Day School

(Radnor Site)

will open Catholic Schools Week with a school wide, student led Mass and Community Service Award vote.

Holy Rosary Regional Catholic School; 3040 Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 (Montgomery County)

1:30 p.m.

On “Patriotic Day” at the school, the Holy Rosary Community will welcome Command Sergeant Major Edward Pfannensteil, who is traveling from his base in Germany to speak with students. He will thank them and explain how much the 1,000 stockings students, faculty, and staff filled with food for his troops at Christmas meant to the soldiers. He will also present the school community with a token of appreciation. Students have prepared several patriotic songs, speeches, and poems to fit with the theme of the event.

Blessed Trinity Regional Catholic School; 3033 Levick Street, Philadelphia, PA 19149

9:00 a.m.

The Blessed Trinity School community in Northeast Philadelphia will hold its 6th annual “Community Helpers” breakfast. They have invited members of the community to the school to thank them for serving and keeping the students safe throughout out the school year. Representatives of the15th and 2nd Police Districts of the Philadelphia Police Department as well as Engine 52 of the Philadelphia Fire Department will be on-hand. Additionally, school crossing guards and other members of the community who provide support to the school will be shown appreciation by the students through songs, poems, and other tokens of thanks. Many parents and grandparents of students at Blessed Trinity are first-responders.

Father Judge High School for Boys; 3301 Solly Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19136

8:45 a.m.

During a school-wide Mass,

the “Salesian 7 Awards” will be presented to five deserving members of the senior class. These students exemplify the “Salesian 7” virtues, which reflect the moral teachings of Jesus as practiced and promoted by the school’s Patron, Saint Francis de Sales: Respect yourself and others, Recognize your unique gifts and talents, Be patient with everyone, especially yourself, Be gentle as you go through your day, Be grateful – appreciate all that life offers, Be positive – approach life with an optimistic attitude, and Be confident – believe in yourself. During this ceremony, the “Salesian Achievement Award” will also be presented to two deserving faculty members.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes School; 1015 Turner Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

8:00 a.m.

Cardinal O\’Hara High School student and Saint Bernadette Alum, Liam Walsh, will be presenting 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Theresa MacIntosh, the Cardinal O\’Hara High School “Excelsior Award” at 8am during a morning gathering in front of the student body.

Saint Dominic Catholic School; 8510 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia 19136

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Saint Dominic students will spend the day “Celebrating Our Students” by holding a spirit-wear and school colors dress down day as well as an afternoon social among students through games of skill for older students and toy sharing for younger students.

Cardinal O’Hara High School, 1701 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA (Delaware County)

9:10 a.m.

Cardinal O’Hara will hold its Student Council Induction Mass and Reception for members of the student leadership who assist with activities and projects within the school community throughout the year.

Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls; 1000 W Lycoming St, Philadelphia, PA 19140

8:15 a.m.

During Catholic Schools Week, Little Flower will honor its alumnae with a token of appreciation at the school Liturgy. Each alumnae in attendance will be given a rose by current students. Additionally, faculty and staff will display photos.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School; 815 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128

8:30 a.m.

The entire student body of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) will gather for a special Catholic Schools Week Mass. Students will serve as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, and cantors. Additionally, the student council will show the schools appreciation for its adult volunteers including bus drivers and crossing guards.

Presentation BVM Catholic School; 105 Old Soldiers Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012 (Montgomery County)

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Students will take part in an

American Society of Civil Engineers STREAM activity. Prior to the start of the activity, students in grades kindergarten through eight will see a slide presentation on, \”What is Civil Engineering\” and have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A to learn more on the topic. Students will work as a class on the “Slender Tower Challenge.” Participants will draw out a tower and using materials will build from the plan. The culmination of the activity will be measuring the tall towers.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Saint Agnes School, 211 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (Chester County)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Grades 1-4)

1:10 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. (Grades 5-8)

Students will “Celebrate Vocations,” the national theme for Thursday, with a Career Day. Students will dress to impress emulating a career they may like to hold in the future. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to learn more about vocations and careers from adults in various fields of work.

Pope John Paul II High School; 181 Rittenhouse Rd, Royersford, PA 19468 (Montgomery County)

1:45 p.m.

Pope John Paul II High School will celebrate a Winter Sports Pep Rally recognizing student athletes competing in Winter Sports including basketball, swimming, and wrestling.

Friday, January 31, 2020

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CORNERSTONE EVENT

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD TO CELEBRATE

MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR DEDICATED TEACHERS

CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

Teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year to be honored.

Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be joined by senior leadership in the Office of Catholic Education as well as teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year for a special Mass.

Friday, January 31, 2020

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Chapel

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

1:00 p.m.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Center – Auditorium

222 North 17th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Mass and portions of the reception will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools Facebook page

www.facebook.com/AOPSschools/

# # #

GUEST OPINION: Trump Champions Pro-Life Cause

Bill Donohue | CNBNews Contributor

January 24, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

President Trump\’s decision to address the March for Life crowd

Other presidents have offered their support to the pro-life cause, but only President Donald Trump has decided to participate in the March for Life. His pro-life record, coupled with his record in defense of religious liberty, makes him the most important Christian voice in the United States. No president, including President Ronald Reagan, can match his stellar achievements on these twin issues.

By contrast, we have the likes of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, both of whom have endorsed infanticide: there are no penalties for doctors who intentionally allow an innocent baby to die if he or she survives a botched abortion. However, First Prize goes to California Governor Gavin Newsom: he out-Hitlerized both men.

Earlier this month, Newsom said he wants to stop euthanizing animals. \”We want to be a no-kill state.\” Yet last year he issued a California Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom, one part of which was designed to welcome \”women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights.\” In other words, his enthusiasm for killing the least among us is so passionate that he extended an open invitation to pregnant women across the United States to have their babies killed in his home state.

It will surprise no one to learn that Newsom is also a proponent of assisted suicide. Indeed, he likes it so much that he boasts of his role in assisting a person to commit suicide in 2002.

That person was his mother

. [At that time assisted suicide was a felony in California—he put her down in San Francisco.]

It\’s too bad Mr. \”No-Kill State\” Newsom didn\’t think of his mother the way he thinks of hamsters.

These are sick times. Kudos to President Trump for standing up for the most defenseless human beings. He looks positively angelic next to these monsters.

Trump\’s Religious Liberty Reforms

January 17, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

public policy reforms issued by the Trump administration on January 16

The public policy reforms governing religious liberty issued by the Trump administration are compelling and much needed. President Trump has proven once again that he is the most religion-friendly president in the modern era.

The Trump administration has provided a much-needed corrective to the draconian directives promulgated by the previous administration: the role of religious liberty under President Obama was diminished to such an extent that it all but neutered the free exercise of religion in public policy programs. Trump has reversed this condition, awarding religious liberty the kind of breathing room it deserves, both morally and legally.

There are three areas of public policy affecting religious liberty that have been targeted for reform by the Trump administration: faith-based programs; higher education; and religious institutions.

While the directives that have been issued are tailored to each of these three sectors, there are two elements that are common to all of them: religious institutions will not be afforded a second-class status any longer and their autonomy will be protected.

The Trump administration wants to end the invidious practices of discriminating against religious institutions and associations that were instituted by the Obama administration. Any institution that does not treat religious institutions as the equal of secular institutions will be faced with the prospect of having federal funds terminated.

Religious autonomy is another feature of these reforms. For instance, the state cannot force religious associations to jettison their religious character as a condition of federal aid. Regrettably, this has been done, the effect of which has been to secularize these entities. What is the sense of having a religious institution if it cannot freely exercise its religious prerogatives?

In effect, the Trump administration is going to continue its efforts to put an end to the animus against religious institutions that characterized the Obama administration.

As is customary, the public is being given 30 days to comment on these proposals. I will submit a detailed account of the Catholic League\’s problems with the Obama administration in its handling of faith-based programs, and the need for the kinds of reforms as outlined in the new directives. We will make public our input.