The Office of Communications releases the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, regarding the State’s legal challenge.

As we continue preparing for a safe return to school, Bishop Walkowiak wants to make sure no student is left behind. We are excited to share that he has announced up to $1 million in tuition assistance for returning and new families whose finances have been affected by COVID-19.

Superintendent Dave Faber shared this letter with Catholic school families today.

Bishop Walkowiak announces the extension of the dispensation for all Catholics within the territory of the Diocese of Grand Rapids from their obligation of attending Sunday Mass through July 31.

Students from two Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids have participated in a national art contest exploring poverty’s root causes and the Church’s response to it. The annual “Creating on the Margins” art contest is organized by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and is open to young people in 7th-12th grade.

This story originally appeared in the June 2020 issue of FAITH Grand Rapids magazine.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dave Faber joined school superintendents from around Kent County in a statement on equity. Read the statement from the Kent Intermediate Superintendents' Association (KISA) below, in English or Spanish. The statement is also available on the Kent Intermediate School District website.

This post originally appeared on GRDiocese.org. Bishop Walkowiak joins his brother U.S. bishops in speaking out in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the violent protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States.

This story originally appeared in the June 2020 issue of FAITH Grand Rapids magazine. It was written by Ms. Elizabeth D’Aurora, who teaches third grade at St. Patrick Catholic School in Parnell.

This spring, more than 320 students are graduating from the five Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.