Posted September 23, 2020

Archbishop Nelson Pérez visited St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill Sept. 22 to welcome students, faculty and staff to a new academic year that — despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — can be faced with hope, he said.

Feature story: Archbishop Pérez welcomes students back to Delco school

(All photos by Sarah Webb.)

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez blesses the faculty of St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill during a Sept. 22 visit.

  • Students arrive for in-person classes at St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill, Sept. 22.

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez blessed students returning to in-person classes at St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill, Sept. 22.

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez greets a student returning to in-person classes at St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill, Sept. 22.

  • Joanne Montie, principal of St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill, greets a student returning to in-person classes, Sept. 22.

  • A student sanitizes his hands before entering St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill, Sept. 22.

  • Students sit at socially distant intervals in the gymnasium of St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill during a Sept. 22 visit by Archbishop Nelson Pérez.

  • Students of St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill present Archbishop Nelson Pérez with several gifts during his Sept.22 visit.

  • Following an address by Archbishop Nelson Pérez, students at St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill recited the pledge of allegiance.

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez greeted students over the public address system during a Sept. 22 visit to St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill.

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez visits a classroom of St. Bernadette School in Drexel Hill in September 2020. All students, faculty and visitors to archdiocesan schools will be required to wear a face mask to prevent spread of COVID-19 when schools begin the fall term this year. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • During a Sept. 22 visit, Archbishop Nelson Pérez congratulated Kathy Pedano, a preK teacher at St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill, on her 25th year as an educator.

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez (center) posed with archdiocesan and school administrators during a Sept. 22 visit to St. Bernadette Parish School in Drexel Hill. Pictured from left to right are Bernadette Dougherty, assistant superintendent for archdiocesan elementary education; Joanne Montie, principal of St. Bernadette School; Archbishop Nelson Pérez; Father Michael Saban, parochial administrator of St. Bernadette Parish; and Dr. Andrew McLaughlin, secretary for elementary education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.