CS&T staff report • Posted January 31, 2012

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter presented Auxiliary Bishop Michael Fitzgerald with a proclamation from the City of Philadelphia today in recognition of Catholic Schools Week which is being celebrated Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. Bishop Fitzgerald opened with a prayer and noted the great contributions that Catholic school students have made to the city.

He added that educational choice is important to parents in both religious and non-religious environments, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will “vigorously advocate for the means that make those educational choices possible.”

The bishop thanked Mayor Nutter for his dedication to “all of our students and for working hard to mentor those partnerships to make sure all of our children have an equal playing field.”

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The mayor, who attended Transfiguration of Our Lord School and St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, said he will continue to offer his support and assistance to the Archdiocese to ensure children have the opportunity receive a high quality education.

“I care about the education of our children wherever their parents decide to send them to school,” Mayor Nutter said. “It is most important to educate them to the highest possible standards and make sure that we collaborate to ensure there are as many high quality educational options available to our children and their parents.”

Mayor Nutter told the students at the proclamation ceremony that “I am in the position that I am in today because I am the beneficiary of a great Catholic school education.”

Richard McCarron, Secretary for Catholic Education, and Mary Rochford, superintendent of schools, were also in attendance at the ceremony.