LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Thursday sponsored a resolution to celebrate the tremendous impact that Catholic schools have on thousands of Michigan children.
“Our Catholic schools were created to help educate Catholics and immigrants when Protestantism permeated the public schools and Catholic children were ridiculed and often punished for their beliefs,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “What resulted was the creation of the largest parochial school system in the world. Today, there are 49,269 students attending 212 Catholic elementary and high schools throughout our great state.”
Senate Resolution 3 designates Jan. 29 through Feb. 4 as Catholic Schools Week in the state of Michigan.
The week has the theme “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” as denoted by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholic schools instill a broad, values-based education, emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual and social values in young people — making them responsible citizens of our state and nation,” Bellino said. “These schools also educate many students who are non-Catholic and many who are economically disadvantaged.
“We support the continued dedication of Catholic schools across Michigan toward academic excellence and the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for our students and our state.”
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Editor’s note: A video of Bellino’s address will be available at SenatorJosephBellino.com/video/.
The above photograph of Bellino is available by clicking on the image or by visiting SenatorJosephBellino.com/photos/.
Photo caption: Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, urges the Senate to support his resolution, Senate Resolution 3, to celebrate the tremendous impact that Catholic schools have on thousands of Michigan children by designating Jan. 29 through Feb. 4 as Catholic Schools Week in the state.
