One of the earliest collaborations between community and family coming together to support education here in southeast Pennsylvania started almost 158 years ago. In December, 1850 Father Edward J. Sourin, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish founded an organization in Philadelphia to create opportunities to advance the education and cultural development of illiterate Irish and German Catholic young men whose education was cut short to help support their families. It was at an 1851 reception of this organization, the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute (Philo), that Bishop Kendrick first began a discussion of the establishment of a parish-based Catholic school system. Philo and its members enthusiastically supported the idea, and the school system was begun the following year under the direction of John Nepomucene Neumann, the 6th Bishop of Philadelphia as well as a Philo member. At the time there were only 5 parishes in Delaware County. This unique endeavor in which the religious community partnered with the parish families to create a school system, quickly became a powerful educational collaboration. The parochial school system has educated hundreds of thousands of young men and women, and continues to this day although challenged by reduced enrollment.
Philo continues as well, and the clubhouse is located at 20th and Walnut in Philly. As the oldest Catholic lay organization in the country, Philo supports education through scholarships to students attending local Catholic colleges as well as supporting successful primary education efforts within the archdiocese. Mother Katherine Drexel School in Chester has received Philo support.
For the past 49 years Philo has annually recognized a Catholic who by achievement and exemplary life has made contributions to Catholic ideals. The Sourin Award has been presented by the Philo to a distinguished list of honorees that includes cardinals, governors, professors, mayors and judges. On Wednesday evening, the Sourin Award is being presented to Timothy Flanagan, founder and Chair of the Catholic Leadership Institute. Congratulations to Tim and his wife Terese for this well-deserved honor.
Wednesday: Al Sharpton is right.
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