MEDIA TIP SHEET

ARCHDIOCESE OF LOUISVILLE CELEBRATES
NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

In the Archdiocese of Louisville, 21,829 students and 2,000 faculty and staff at 49 Catholic elementary and secondary schools will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week from January 28-February 3, 2007. The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education.”

Festivities for the week include the annual liturgy at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, at St. Gabriel Parish (5503 Bardstown Road). Student representatives from all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville will attend this liturgy. In addition, special recognition will be given to Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly for his 25 years of service to the Archdiocese.

Awards will be given at the liturgy, including the Distinguished Elementary Principal Award, which will be presented to Laura Glaser (Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary), the Outstanding School Volunteer Award, which will be presented to Sissy Spine (St. Nicholas Academy), and the Religious Educational Excellence Award, which will be presented to Tom Dubay (Trinity High School). In addition, the recipient of the Fr. Joseph McGee Award for Outstanding Catholic Educator, Naniene Murphy (Holy Trinity School), will be acknowledged. This award is presented each year to an outstanding educator. Murphy will formally receive the Father McGee award at the Salute to Catholic School Alumni dinner on March 6, 2007.

The 49 Catholic elementary and secondary schools are located in seven counties in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Schools will be participating in many activities throughout the week. Following is a sampling of activities.

Assumption Students Honor Archbishop Kelly

On Monday and Tuesday, January 29 and 30, during homeroom from 7:35 to 8:05 a.m., Assumption High School (2170 Tyler Lane) students will be making blankets in honor of Archbishop Kelly’s 25 years of service. The completed blankets will be donated to one of Archbishop’s Catholic charities: the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

CONTACT: Caroline McCoy, 502/458-6258

St. Aloysius, Pewee Valley, Quilt Display

On Sunday, February 4, from noon to 2 p.m., St. Aloysius School in Pewee Valley (212 Mount Mercy Drive) will hold an open house. This open house will feature a special display of unique quilts created by each class in the school.

CONTACT: Maryann Hayslip, 502/241-8452, ext. 1015

St. Stephen Martyr Holds Variety of Activities

St. Stephen Martyr Elementary (2931 Pindell Avenue) will hold a variety of activities during Catholic Schools Week, including:

Tuesday, January 30: Student breakfast from 8-9 a.m. sponsored by the St. Stephen Martyr Parent-Teacher Organization.
Wednesday, January 31: Student Skate Party at Skateworld (6310 Preston Highway)             from 6-8 p.m.
Friday, February 2: Teacher Appreciation Day.  PTO parents will take classes while teachers and staff enjoy a special, extended lunch at 1 p.m.

CONTACT: Margaret Bowen, 502/635-7141

St. Andrew Academy Raises Money for St. Jude and Focuses on Vocations

All week during Catholic Schools Week, St. Andrew Academy (7724 Columbine Drive) students will be conducting a walkathon during their gym classes to raise money for cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

On Friday, February 2, St. Andrew Academy students will hear from a vocation panel consisting of several individuals involved in church vocations. Students in grades K-4 will hear the panel from 9-10 a.m., and students in grades 5-8 will hear the panel from 1:05 to 2:05 p.m.

CONTACT: Sr. Becky Mathauer, 502/935-4578, ext. 237

St. Leonard Talent Show/Spelling Bee

St. Leonard School (440 Zorn Avenue) will hold a spelling bee and talent show on Wednesday, January 31, beginning at 12:45 p.m. in the gym.

CONTACT: Mary Singleton, 502/897-5265

Brian Brohm Visits St. Francis Elementary

On Friday, February 2, University of Louisville star quarterback Brian Brohm will visit with students at St. Francis of Assisi School to talk about how his Catholic education helped him succeed. The presentation will be held at 10 a.m. in the school gym.

CONTACT: Paula Watkins, 502/459-3088

St. Joseph Elementary Skating/Volleyball

On Wednesday, January 31, at 1:30, students in grades 3-5 at St. Joseph Elementary (320 West Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown) will enjoy the afternoon skating at Wheels Skating Rink, 209 East Broadway in Bardstown.

On Friday, February 2, from 1:30 to 2:30, St. Joseph Elementary will hold one of the biggest rivalries of the year: the annual 8th grade-faculty volleyball game.

CONTACT: Nancy Ballard, 502/348-5994

St. Catherine School Announces New Name/Logo

St. Catherine School (413 First Street in New Haven) will unveil a new name and logo for the school at a special meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 31. A reception will follow. Parishioners, families, and area businesses are invited.

CONTACT: Jo Renee O’Bryan, 502/549-3680

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