Bishop Daniel Thomas led the students and staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary School, in the Andorra section of Philadelphia, in a prayer liturgy Monday, Jan. 28 to kick off for Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. At the end of the service Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter spoke to students and read a proclamation declaring Catholic Schools Week 2013 in the city. Afterward the mayor, who is a product of Catholic schools, toured the school and learned what the students are doing in their classes. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter spoke to students and read a proclamation declaring Catholic Schools Week 2013 in the city after a prayer service at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Afterward the mayor, who is a product of Catholic schools, toured the school and learned what the students are doing in their classes. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

Eighth grade girls from St. Genevieve read a poem they had written on behalf of the students for their pastor Msgr. Michael Matz in honor of his Pastor of the Year Award. They presented Msgr. Matz with a framed copy of the poem.

The students from Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School opened Catholic Schools Week with a Living Prayer Chain.

The students from Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School opened Catholic Schools Week with a Living Prayer Chain.

The choir at Bishop McDevitt High School lent their voices to the mass that was celebrated during the Papal Colloquium that was held at their school.

Bishop McDevitt High School hosted 8th annual Papal Colloquium in celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Over fifteen Archdiocesan and private high schools will be in attendance for a celebration of mass, the keynote address followed by a question and answer session, lunch and a guided discussion of the topic in small groups moderated by a teacher.

In honor of Catholic Schools Week, students from Resurrection Regional Catholic School in the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia participated in a “Dime Trail Race”. All proceeds were donated to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

During “Student Appreciation Day” at Bishop Shanahan High School each student received a complimentary Philly Soft Pretzel on their way to lunch.

Bishop Shanahan High School students make thank you phone calls and write thank you notes to Shanahan Fund and Endowment Fund donors in appreciation of their support of Catholic schools.

“Principal’s Night” at Barnes and Noble on Main Street in Exton was part of the Catholic Schools Week celebrations for SS Phillip and James School. Students gathered round as Sister Helen Thomas, IHM, Principal, and other faculty and staff read their favorite stories. A portion of the proceeds made that night at Barnes and Noble were donated to Saints Philip and James School library, which boasts 14,000+ volumes including a religion section for students and a parent resource collection.

Second grade girls enjoy the Saints Simon and Jude School, in West Chester, Book Fair in celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

Eighth grade students from Saints Simon and Jude School in West Chester entertained fellow students during their Catholic Schools Week Talent Show.

Student council officers were the escorts for guest speakers Maureen Rilling of the Worldwide Mission Association and Dick Yoder, a St. Agnes School alum and former Mayor of West Chester, into their opening ceremony for Catholic Schools Week at St. Agnes School in West Chester.

The pre-kindergarten Students of St. Anastasia School in Delaware County invited their special Buddy to have breakfast with them in the school cafeteria.

St. Laurentius School in Fishtown welcomed a very special visitor, Alicia Vitarelli from Channel 6 Action News. Alicia spoke to the students of the importance of a Catholic education and welcomed questions from them and visited each classroom to personally say hello to the students.

Students celebrated Grandparents at Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School (GSC) in Glenside, Montgomery County. Guests were treated to the new GSC video, a few games of Bingo, coffee and cakes, tours of the school and the GSC Book Fair.

Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in the Andorra section of Philadelphia kicked off Catholic Schools Week with prayer service celebrated by Bishop Daniel Thomas. (Photo by Sarah Webb)