Gubernatorial Proclamation - Catholic Schools Week

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. has designated this week as Catholic Schools Week in the Virgin Islands as the period January 25-29 is being celebrated across the United States mainland and its territories as “National Catholic Schools Week.” 

In a proclamation dated January 22, 2009, de Jongh noted that Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration which highlights the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary play in providing a values-added education for young people all across the nation. “Catholic schools are proud of their educational network that emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social values in their students and at these schools, teachers, staff and administration strive to give each student the best care and education possible,” de Jongh said. Virgin Islands history indicates that Catholic education in the territory dates back to the mid-1800’s. 

Today, the governor said, there are four Catholic schools in the Virgin Islands: Sts. Peter and Paul on St. Thomas and St. Mary’s; St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Catholic schools on St. Croix. “The people of the Virgin Island join me in recognizing and applauding the outstanding work in education being done by the Catholic schools in the territory.” 

de Jongh urged all residents to recognize the important contributions these schools make toward the development of our children and youth, and our community at large. 

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