; for the education of the individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives. ; Whereas the week of January 29, 2017, to February 4, 2017, has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and February 1, 2017, National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools; Whereas the National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the past 43 years; Whereas while some Catholic schools are challenged by declining enrollments and school closures, the good news is that there is a strong demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools; Whereas 32 percent of Catholic schools have waiting lists for admission and new schools are opening across the country; and Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2017 is Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service: Now, therefore, be it