Catholic Schools Week is organised by Catholic Education Service Committee which was established by the Irish Bishops' Conference and the Conference of Religious in Ireland.

The 2011 theme ‘Catholic Schools - Rooted in Jesus Christ’ is inspired by the Pastoral Letter of Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland, published on 20 March 2010. In section 9 of his Pastoral Letter, Pope Benedict directly addresses the children and young people of Ireland, see http://www.tinyurl.ie/2is

In preparation for CSW 2011, a new online resource has been published on the website of the Bishops’ Conference at www.catholicbishops.ie/catholicschoolsweek

The resource will be updated with additional materials as they become available over the coming weeks and includes the following:

Audio visual resources

	Video interview with Bishop Brendan Kelly, who introduces Catholic Schools Week 2011 (in English and Irish)
	Video Interview with Ms Maria Comerford, Principal of St Canice's National School, Kilkenny, about what Catholic Schools Week means to her school
	Audio interview with Ms Maeve Mahon, CSW Steering Committee member
	Video introduction for use in schools to the story of St Blaise and his Feast Day, which takes place during CSW 2011

Separately a Primary Schools Resource Pack has been prepared. The resources in this book are designed to help celebrate Catholic Schools Week with the following groups:

	- Students in the classroom
	- Staff members
	- Parents
	- Members of Board of Management/Governors
	- The wider parish community

Two copies of this book will be sent to all principals and one copy to all priests in January 2011. In the meantime, it is available to download and share online.

Further information:

Martin Long, Director of Communications 00353 (0) 86 172 7678