More than 6,550 students in 31 Catholic schools across the Diocese of Grand Rapids are celebrating national Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27 - Feb. 2. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Events will highlight how Catholic education provides lifelong benefits for students and their communities.
Catholic schools in the diocese are celebrating our largest preschool class in 21 years* and our largest kindergarten class in six years; the opening of St. Robert Catholic School in Ada this past fall; and the implementation this school year of a new, original curriculum incorporating the highest academic standards within the context of the Catholic faith. (*This is corrected from a previous version which indicated 18 years.)
“An education centered in Christ offers the best possible learning environment, in which students achieve more in school and life, feel welcomed and cherished, develop creativity and character, and grow in faith and grace -- leading to outcomes that are second to none,” said David Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese. “I am grateful every day for the families, faculty, school leaders, clergy and supporters who model for our students the difference made by a life lived in Christ.”
It is an annual tradition to have several hundred student representatives and educators from across the diocese gather for Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew to give thanks for the gift of Catholic school education. Schools also plan their own celebratory activities each day. However, this year's severe winter weather closed the schools all week. While it's not feasible to reschedule the diocesan-wide Mass, contact individual schools for information about whether their events will be rescheduled.
Nearly 1.8 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).
"Many Gifts, One Nation"
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids participated in "Many Gifts, One Nation: A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools" with Catholic schools across the country from noon on Jan. 29 through noon on Jan. 30. Visit this link to learn more about "Many Gifts, One Nation."
Bishop Walkowiak's Catholic Schools Week letters
Click here to read Bishop Walkowiak's Catholic Schools Week letter to parishioners (in English and in Spanish).
Click here to read Bishop Walkowiak's letter to the Aquinas College community, commemorating St. Thomas Aquinas Week at Aquinas College and Catholic Schools Week (in English and in Spanish).
Catholic Schools Week letter from Aquinas College President Dr. Kevin Quinn