Territory Celebrates National Catholic Schools Week

Governor Kenneth Mapp Tuesday signed a proclamation designating the week of January 25 – 31 as National Catholic Schools Week in the territory.

Mapp’s proclamation is in line with the annual national recognition of Catholic education. The 2015 celebration has as its theme, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service” and Mapp says the slogan embodies the virtues that are at the heart of a Catholic education.

The proclamation states that Catholic schools were introduced in the territory on St. Thomas in the mid 1800s. Today, four schools remain, including Sts. Peter and Paul on St. Thomas, and St. Mary’s, St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s on St. Croix. Other Catholic schools have closed in recent years due to low enrollment.

“These schools continue to contribute to the community by instilling values, character and compassion in their students,” the proclamation stated.

The governor is urging “all residents to recognize the important contributions these schools make toward the development of our children and youth, and our community at large.”