As Catholic Schools Week 2026 unfolds across the nation, classrooms throughout the Diocese of Allentown are alive with celebration, prayer, and a renewed sense of mission. For 33 Catholic schools serving more than 9,000 students across Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties, the annual observance is more than a tradition — it is a public witness to the enduring power of faith-based education. “Catholic schools have stood the test…
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A Formula for Prayer This week is Catholic Schools Week, and it’s made me reflect on those lessons that stick with you from your school days. I think of the scientific method—a practical tool we probably don’t realize we use every day. We make hypotheses, test them, adjust. It’s become second nature. What if prayer could be like that? I recently came across a cheat sheet I’d made years ago…
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Much of the success in student achievement may be attributed to the dedication of the administration and faculty working in our Catholic schools. Together, along with parents, they cultivate a dynamic and creative learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential. Attracting & retaining top faculty with a competitive salary has become a key discussion point for parishes and schools locally and nationally. Four years ago, the Catholic…
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Catholic Schools Week (January 26—February 1, 2025), a time-honored national celebration, is the perfect time to recognize how Catholic Education has impacted and shaped the lives of young people in our region for centuries. A key component of the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania’s strategic plan is the commitment to Catholic schools. Almost fifty percent of the Catholic Foundation’s endowment or donor designated funds are earmarked towards operations or scholarships…
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In the heart of the Diocese of Allentown, the legacy of Catholic education dates back to 1743 when the first Catholic school opened its doors as a single classroom in Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Today, Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy proudly stands as the second oldest Catholic school in the original 13 colonies. Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024), a time-honored celebration, is the perfect time to recognize how…
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Each year, Catholic Schools Week recognizes the unique strengths that are at the heart of Catholic education: rigorous academics, unwavering faith, guiding principles, and service to others. It is because of these strengths that almost 50% of endowment funds invested by donors with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania support Catholic schools and scholarships. “Strong academic outcomes anchored by our Catholic faith are why our donors believe in Catholic schools,” Pete…
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