U.S. celebration of the World Day for Grandparents, Elderly is Sept. 8

Pope Francis has chosen a line from Psalm 71 – “Do not cast me off in my old age” – as the theme for the 2024 celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Read his message on the Vatican website (multiple languages).

Our Catholics schools have started the 2024-25 school year!

For weeks, our Office of Catholic Schools' staff, school leaders, and faculty prepared to welcome our students through professional development, faith formation, and prayer. Check out these events: 

Let our prayers unite and uplift all those who are preparing to start the 2024-2025 school year! Please join us in our annual back to school novena.

(Our prayers will be posted each day for nine days on our Facebook and Instagram, too.)

Written by Dave Faber for the 2024 summer issue of NCEA's Momentum magazine. 

Right now, over 50,000 Catholics are united around the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Just like our students who live Eucharistic lives during the school year, these people are experiencing profound, personal renewal through the power of Christ’s love. This transformation will flow out from Indianapolis to bring revival in our communities as the Church returns to her first love.

As featured in the June issue of FAITH Grand Rapids Magazine. 

Dear friends of Catholic schools,

It is my honor to share with you the Office of Catholic School’s 2023-2024 Annual Report! 

Catholic schools have been blessed by so much growth and opportunity. It seems everywhere I look I see God’s work alive and well through the countless individuals and families that support our 31 Catholic schools. The gifts and talents of our students, parents, faculty, leadership, and clergy continue to make our schools great! They are top-performing academic centers of evangelization and formation for the whole family. 

With a 99% graduation rate across the Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, we have much to celebrate. Please join us as we congratulate our recent graduates! Here's a look at the class of 2024, by the numbers:

Catholic Central High School, Grand Rapids

Graduation date: May 20, 2024

Number of graduates: 131

Percentage of graduates planning to attend college (2- or 4-year) in the fall: 90%

Number of graduates entering the workforce: 3

Number of graduates joining the trades/ attending trade school: 4

Read the following testimonial by Mandi Bradeen, a mom whose children attend St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. 

While we deeply value all our students and their accomplishments, there are moments when some earn special recognition for their outstanding achievements. Here are some of these moments: