We are eager to head back to school! Watch the video below or at this link to see many of our Catholic school leaders, faculty and staff welcome new and returning families to the 2017-18 school year.
Putting faith first, more than 500 Catholic school clergy, faculty and staff members gathered at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew on Tuesday, Aug. 22, to commence the new academic year with an inspirational speaker and Mass. The alliance of Catholic elementary and high schools throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids and Aquinas College were represented.
Keynote speaker Sr. Clare Fitzgerald, SSND, encouraged everyone to enter the new school year with excitement for sharing the Gospel with students and families. Sr. Clare also discussed Pope Francis' impact on Catholic education today. Mass followed and was celebrated by Reverend Monsignor William H. Duncan, vicar general of the diocese. See photos from the event at this link.
“We are grateful to be anticipating a third consecutive year of enrollment growth in our Catholic schools,” said David Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese. “Our pastors, boards, principals and teachers have been working hard to welcome new students into our Catholic school family. We are excited to celebrate the great initiatives happening in our Catholic schools and our soon-to-be-announced strategic plan, ‘Bridging Faith and Future,’ which will set the direction for continued growth across the diocese.”
Another back-to-school tradition in the Diocese of Grand Rapids includes Bishop David Walkowiak exchanging commemorative letters with the president of Aquinas College. Read their letters at this link.
Learn more about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids at CatholicSchools4U.org/find-a-school.