Lipinski Introduces Resolution Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) has introduced a resolution celebrating Catholic Schools Week and honoring the outstanding work of Catholic schools in the Chicago Archdiocese, Joliet Diocese, and all across the nation. Catholic Schools Week, which begins this year on January 28th, has been an annual event since 1974. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

“I greatly appreciate all I learned during my twelve years of Catholic education,” said Rep. Lipinski. “Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added education. They are committed to community service, producing graduates who are devoted to being leaders who help others. My own desire to teach and then go into public service was fostered by dedicated teachers, administrators, and clergy throughout my years at St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.”

Catholic schools serve the nation by providing a diverse student population from all socioeconomic backgrounds a strong academic foundation, including over 41 percent of students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and about 20 percent from non-Catholic families. It is estimated that Catholic schools save local taxpayers over $1 billion annually by lowering the number of students in overburdened public schools.

Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. During the week, Congressman Lipinski will visit several schools in the district, including St. Christina, St. Gerald, St. Catherine, and St. Daniel.