Catholic Schools Week

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is “Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence, Service.”
Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities, and our nation.
Catholic Schools Week 2022 runs from January 30 until February 5.
A Catholic Schools Week Message From Bishop Mark

I read a story told by a young man who had was the Valedictorian at the time of his high school graduation. In speaking about his academic success, he explained that one of the most important lessons he learned was in ninth-grade health class. Their teacher covered an entire blackboard with the names and locations of the major bones and muscles of the human body. The diagram stayed on the board throughout the term, although the teacher never referred to it.
On the day of the first quarter exam, the students entered the classroom and immediately saw that the board was wiped clean. The teacher then announced that there was only one question: “Name and locate every major bone and muscle in the human body.” All the students protested: “We never studied that!” The teacher responded: “That’s no excuse. The information was there for several weeks.” After the students struggled with the test for a while, the teacher collected the papers and tore them up. Then he told the students: “Always remember that education is more than just learning what you are told.”
In our Catholic schools, our students are encouraged to love God and neighbor and to love themselves as Jesus loves us. They are formed to be good citizens of the world. And they are urged to enrich society with the leaven of the gospel, especially by the example of faith. That faith is informed and it grows by what is studied in the classroom, and in the manner in which it is put into practice on the athletic field, in their parish, and especially at home.
The theme of Catholic Schools Week 2022 is: FAITH, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE. Those words don’t need to remain posted on the classroom wall for young people to grasp their meaning. In our Catholic schools, the truth about God and about who we are as God’s sons and daughters is posted in the minds and hearts of students. It’s a living FAITH in the person of Jesus Christ, which encourages all of our students to strive for EXCELLENCE in all of their endeavors. That living FAITH is manifested through SERVICE to others, especially the poor, and who are in need of a true friend.
I am proud to support our Catholic Schools and our students, teachers, and parents who are in search of more than what we are told. Our Catholic schools help young people to come to know who they are and what they are called to be as disciples of the Lord Jesus.
This is at the heart of our “To Proclaim and Teach” strategic planning process for Catholic schools throughout the diocese. FAITH, EXCELLENCE, and SERVICE are not simply words that hang on the wall during Catholic Schools Week. They are the blueprint for the success of all our students in discovering who they are what they are called to be. Thanks to all who teach, learn, and offer support in our Catholic schools!
Proclaim! TV Catholic Schools Week 2022 Special - "Making The Grade"
Catholic Schools
At A Glance
11:1
Student to Teacher Ratio
3,000+
Students Enrolled Annually
94%
of High School Graduates Attend Some Type of Secondary Education
4
High Schools
13
Elementary Schools
20,000+
Service Hours & Numerous All-School Service Projects Completed Annually
1 in 3
Catholic School Teachers With a Masters Degree
100%
Schools Accredited by the Middle States Association
100%
Grade Level Teachers Certified
400,000+
Catholic School Students in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Since 1840
Open House Schedule


- This event has passed.
Saint Benedict School, Carrolltown
January 29 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Details
- Date:
- January 29
- Time:
-
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Saint Benedict School, Carrolltown
-
119 South Church Street
Carrolltown, PA 15722 United States


- This event has passed.
All Saints Catholic School, Cresson
January 30
Details
- Date:
- January 30
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- All Saints Catholic School, Cresson
-
220 Powell Avenue
Cresson, PA 16630 United States


- This event has passed.
Saint Matthew School, Tyrone
January 30
Details
- Date:
- January 30
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Saint Matthew School, Tyrone
-
1105 Cameron Avenue
Tyrone, PA 16686 United States


- This event has passed.
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School, Bellefonte
January 30 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Details
- Date:
- January 30
- Time:
-
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Saint John The Evangelist Catholic School
-
116 E. Bishop St.
Bellefonte, PA 16823 United States - Phone:
- (814) 355-7859
- View Venue Website


- This event has passed.
Saint Patrick School, Newry
January 30 @ 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Details
- Date:
- January 30
- Time:
-
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Saint Patrick School, Newry
-
731 Patrick Lane
Newry, PA 16665 United States


- This event has passed.
Saint Peter School, Somerset
January 31
Details
- Date:
- January 31
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Saint Peter School, Somerset
-
433 West Church Street
Somerset, PA 15501 United States


- This event has passed.
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
February 2
Details
- Date:
- February 2
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
-
728 Ben Franklin Highway
Ebensburg, PA 15931 United States - Phone:
- 814-472-7500


- This event has passed.
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy (East Campus)
February 2
Details
- Date:
- February 2
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Divine Mercy Catholic Academy East Campus, Johnstown
-
2306 Bedford Street
Johnstown, PA 15904 United States


- This event has passed.
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy (West Campus)
February 4
Details
- Date:
- February 4
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Divine Mercy Catholic Academy West Campus, Johnstown
-
430 Tioga Street
Johnstown, PA 15905 United States


- This event has passed.
Bishop McCort Catholic High School
February 15 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Details
- Date:
- February 15
- Time:
-
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Bishop McCort Catholic High School
-
25 Osborne St
Johnstown, PA 15905 United States


- This event has passed.
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy (East+West Campuses, Grades 2-6)
April 7
Details
- Date:
- April 7
- Event Category:
- Catholic Schools Week Open Houses
Venue
- Divine Mercy Catholic Academy East Campus, Johnstown
-
2306 Bedford Street
Johnstown, PA 15904 United States
Years of Service Awards
2020/2021
45 Years
John DeFazio
Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Johnstown
40 Years
Rosemary Batzel
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Joan Donnelly
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Michael Harchick
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Marilyn Hrzic
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Sandra Hunsinger
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
William Rhoades
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
35 Years
Rose Bassaro
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Betty Ann Bensor
Saint Benedict School, Carrolltown
Michelle Davis
Saint John the Evangelist School, Bellefonte
Michelle Kirk
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Linda Mueller
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
30 Years
Stuart Crocker
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Carol Fisher
Saint John the Evangelist School, Bellefonte
Kimberly Lallemand
Saint Benedict School, Carrolltown
Cathleen Lykens
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
June Riner
Saint Michael School, Loretto
25 Years
Kathleen Bechdel
Saint Matthew School, Tyrone
Kimberly Hill
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Doreen Yahner
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
20 Years
Michele Alexander
Lock Haven Catholic School
Gina Baker
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Victoria Byrne
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Marjorie Frank
Saint Michael School, Loretto
Patricia Gable
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Carlye Grosholz
Saint Peter School, Somerset
Eileen Pears
Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Johnstown
Theresa Rae
Lock Haven Catholic School
Samantha Weakland
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Sarah Zearing
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
15 Years
Thomas Graffte
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Jill Harris
Saint Peter School, Somerset
James Hoy
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Robin McClure
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Heather McQueary
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Jonathan Nagy
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Robert Sutton
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Evonne Yanzetich-Homway
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
10 Years
Jennifer Bagley
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Father David Bonarrigo, T.O.R.
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Stephen Cotchen
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Amanda Heck
Lock Haven Catholic School
Sara Link
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Nancy McMullen
Saint Nicholas Catholic School, Nicktown
Heath Miller
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Chris Pfiel
Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Johnstown
Stephanie Salada
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
MaryAnn Stolberg
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Laura Swank
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Kristina Tice
Saint John the Evangelist School, Bellefonte
5 Years
Nick Astle
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Boalsburg
Katrina Brown
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Jessica Brunner
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Sherry Cappozi
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Melissa Clapper
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Brooke Crust
Lock Haven Catholic School
Dawn Diamond
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Clare Eckenrode
Saint Benedict School, Carrolltown
Carrie Garlesky
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Emily George
Saint Michael School, Loretto
Lisa Groves
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Briana Hull
All Saints Catholic School, Cresson
Shelly Kirsch
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Alexa Kline
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Erin Kline
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Jennifer Kline
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Chalsea Kowalski
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona
Mary Largent
Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Johnstown
Casey Lovette
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Daniel McMullen
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Ashley Miller
Saint Nicholas Catholic School, Nicktown
Katelyn Mouser
Holy Name School, Ebensburg
Shannon Rados
Saint John the Evangelist School, Bellefonte
Dana Smith
Our Lady of Victory School, State College
Kelly Stehley
Saint Patrick School, Newry
Shannon Stephens
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, Johnstown
Theresa Stevens
Saint Patrick School, Newry
Laura Walker
Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Johnstown
Edie Wertz
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Altoona/Hollidaysburg
Prayer for Catholic Schools
Lord Jesus, you came into the world to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven and you call us to share that mission. Through our Catholic schools, help us to teach children and young people to know you, love you, follow you, and find their ultimate happiness in you. Increase our zeal for ensuring that our Catholic schools are places where students come to know the truth, the joy, and the dignity of being made in the image and likeness of God.
Bless the parents and families of our students. Bless the pastors, teachers, administrators, and staff; bless the committees and boards; bless the alumni, benefactors, and countless volunteers who support the mission of our Catholic schools.
Lord Jesus, we ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church,
who is the patron saint of our Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Amen.