CHICAGO (January 30, 2006) – Students from Archdiocesan Catholic elementary and secondary schools will gather for the 28 th year at 9”30 a.m. on Friday, February 3, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior, Chicago, to celebrate the beginning of African American Heritage Month with a special liturgy at 9:30 a.m.

Most Rev. Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside and Fr. George Clements, former pastor of Holy Angels Parish on Chicago’s south side, will be the main celebrant and homilist at the liturgy that will incorporate a choir of students from across the archdiocese and Scripture readings emphasizing the theme of “Umoja” or unity.

Archdiocesan schools will incorporate this Kawanza principle of Umoja” in studies and projects during February as a way of focusing on the commitment to establish unity in the family, community, nation and race.

This liturgy comes at the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week when Catholic schools across the nation focused on the theme, “character, compassion and values.” Chicago Catholic School Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich encouraged students, principals and teachers to strive to exercise these virtues in the acceptance and celebration of cultural diversity in the Archdiocese’s Catholic schools.

Throughout the year, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese celebrate the culture and heritage of the Asian, Hispanic and Polish communities as well.

The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are 218 elementary and 40 secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. To locate a Catholic school in your area and learn more about Catholic education in Cook and Lake counties, visit the Office of Catholic Schools web page on the Archdiocese of Chicago web site at www.archchicago.org.