More than 6,000 students in 31 Catholic schools across the Diocese of Grand Rapids are celebrating national Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 31 - Feb. 6. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Activities will highlight how Catholic education provides lifelong benefits for students and their communities.
Bishop Walkowiak's Catholic Schools Week message
"Catholic schools, like no other ministry of the Church, offer young people a daily encounter with Jesus Christ, accomplished within the context of the highest-quality education."
Most Rev. David Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, recorded a video message for Catholic Schools Week. Watch his message below or at this link.
Celebrating the gift of Catholic school education
Catholic schools in the diocese are celebrating success in prioritizing safe in-person instruction since their return to school in mid-August; welcoming the largest kindergarten class in 11 years; the introduction of an updated theology curriculum for early childhood through 12th grade; and a new mission statement for our alliance of Catholic schools, more boldly stating our core purpose: “We prepare students to seek and fulfill God’s plan for learning and life.”
“Catholic schools provide a holistic approach that addresses the whole child. Integrating faith, culture, and life into every subject elevates our exemplary academic outcomes,” said David Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese. “I am grateful every day for the families, faculty, school leaders, clergy and supporters whose extraordinary dedication shows our students the tremendous meaning and value of a life lived in Christ.”
Welcome Scholarships announced for new preschool and kindergarten students
During Catholic Schools Week, the diocese announced that Welcome Scholarships will be available for new preschool and kindergarten students beginning in fall 2021. The Welcome Scholarship is worth up to $750 toward tuition. The Welcome Scholarship application will be available on CatholicSchools4U.org on Feb. 8. Learn more here, or see WZZM 13 On Your Side's coverage of the announcement here.
Students, families thank teachers, staff in video messages
The dedicated faculty and staff of Catholic schools across the diocese prepare students to seek and fulfill God’s plan for learning and life. During Catholic Schools Week, we compiled some video messages from students and parents around the diocese expressing their gratitude for the ministry of our talented educators and staff. See their messages below or at this link.
Annual Catholic Schools Week Mass livestreamed
Students and educators from across the diocese prayerfully participated in a livestream of the annual diocesan Catholic Schools Week Mass. Mass was celebrated by Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, to give thanks for the gift of Catholic school education.
A limited number of families, representing the Catholic schools in the diocese, were in attendance in person, in addition to the students and faculty across the diocese who joined the livestream.
Today we celebrated #CSW21 by celebrating Mass virtually with other schools in our diocese. What a blessing to share this foundation of our faith with our fellow Catholic Schools! #DOGRCathEd pic.twitter.com/96oqaeXkiy
— HolySpiritSchoolGR (@HSSchoolGR) February 2, 2021
Activities at our schools
Catholic Schools Week activities at schools include digital open houses, online pep rallies with students participating from their classrooms, and service projects such as collecting donations for the homeless. Click here for a list of planned activities provided by some of our schools (this list will be updated as schools provide their lists).
Nationwide giving event supports Catholic schools
A nationwide, 24-hour giving event supported Catholic schools across the country during Catholic Schools Week. Sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and FACTS, the Many Gifts, One Nation Day of Giving took place beginning at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 2, through noon on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Your gifts help make the important work of Catholic schools possible.
Bishop Walkowiak & Aquinas College President exchange Catholic Schools Week letters
To mark Catholic Schools Week, as well as St. Thomas Aquinas Week at Aquinas College, Bishop Walkowiak and Aquinas College President Dr. Kevin Quinn exchanged letters. Their letters are embedded below or available at this link.
Catholic Schools Week featured on "Talk of the Town" radio show
Superintendent Dave Faber and Greg Ghering, marketing communications coordinator, joined the "Talk of the Town" radio show to discuss Catholic Schools Week on Jan. 31. The show was heard on area iHeartMedia stations. A recording of the show can be heard below or at this link.
Choose Catholic school education for your family
Contact us at this link to learn about enrolling in a Catholic school in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 31 vibrant learning communities (26 elementary and five high schools) serving more than 6,000 preschool through 12th grade students throughout West Michigan. Our schools inspire young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. We partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.
Approximately 1.7 million children across the United States attend Catholic schools. Catholic Schools Week began in 1974 and is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).