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Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick

Mr. Speaker, starting January 29 of this year, Catholic schools across the country will initiate their annual observance of Catholic Schools Week. The theme for this year is ``Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.''

The 2012 theme emphasizes the principles of Catholic school education, which families in my district and across the country highly value. The theme focuses on three priorities that are distinct to Catholic schools. Children are taught faith, not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with their God; academics, in which Catholic schools are held to very high standards.

Earlier this year I was proud to recognize the Nativity of our Lord Catholic School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, for receiving the 2011 National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award.

Finally, the third principle in the 2012 theme is service, the giving of one's time and effort to help others. It is taught both as an expression of faith but also of good citizenship.

Schools typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with mass, open houses, and activities for students, families, parishioners, and the community at large. In addition to this year's list of activities, some schools in my district will host events welcoming families from schools with which they will be merging. While the Archdiocese of Philadelphia contemplates its plans for continuing to provide students with a rigorous academic curriculum in concert with spiritual values, families and parishioners can reflect upon the three principles of Catholic Schools Week--faith, academics, service--not simply as a theme but also as a guide for their future decisions.

Mr. Speaker, Catholic Schools Week is truly a time to demonstrate the intangible value of Catholic education. I'm extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication of the administrators, faculty, students, and parents who've created an environment fostering academic excellence, spirituality, and service.