Published on Dec. 29, 2024 on mlive.com | By Danielle James

Enrollment is up by 7.23% for the 31 Catholic schools within the Diocese of Grand Rapids since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 6,456 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. During the 2020-21 school year, 6,267 students were enrolled.

Merry Christmas from the Office of Catholic Schools! The Christmas season is a time of deep reflection for our community, emphasizing the birth of Jesus Christ and the love, hope, and peace that he brings.

Gather with us during these days of joy and peace to receive into your heart the perfect Christmas gift … our Savior Jesus Christ who brings hope and love to our weary world. Below you will find some helpful links as you plan where you will celebrate Mass. We’re glad you’re choosing to spend Christmas with us!

During this season of Advent—a time of joyful anticipation— the Catholic Central Board of Directors and Presidential Search Committee is delighted to announce that Greg Deja will serve as the next president of Catholic Central High School, beginning January 21, 2025.

Dear friends of Catholic Schools,

I write to provide an important update regarding the search for our next superintendent of Catholic schools. As you may recall from my earlier letter, we had initially engaged Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions to assist us in this search. However, after careful consideration and consultation, we have decided to take the search process in-house and are conducting the search utilizing internal diocesan resources. This change will allow us to better serve the unique needs of our diocese.

Only 4 hours remain for Giving Tuesday and Catholic schools are so blessed! On our diocesan donation website (which guarantees our ministries, parishes, and schools get 100% of their donations collected today), 22 of our 31 schools have received over $50,000 and that number is expected to grow yet tonight with your help. 

Sponsored by the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan, there are still 3 “challenges” that would provide extra grant money to our schools:

At the grand opening and celebratory ribbon-cutting of Bishop Baraga Academy 500 Iroquois Drive, Fremont) on August 14, Bishop Walkowiak spoke highly of the school’s mission in “expanding outstanding Catholic educational ministry” in Newaygo county.  “This project is one that I think Frederick Baraga would have been proud to support himself.

On October 23 at the Falcon Awards Night, Bishop David Walkowiak received a Lifetime Achievement Award from West Catholic High School. Five individuals were honored that night, all of whom had a remarkable impact on this school community and changed the lives of countless students and graduates. Whether providing tuition assistance, offering guidance and support, or serving as positive role models, the awardees have created a lasting legacy at West Catholic.

Article written by Mr. Scott Czarnopys, principal at St. Patrick Catholic School in Parnell, Michigan and featured in the September-October issue of Liguorian magazine.

As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from conception to life’s natural end. During October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, a time in which we’re invited to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

This work has never been more important than now. Life is being threatened in our country from the moment of conception to natural death and at many points in between. Below, you will find many ways to be active and engage in these important efforts: