The Diocese of Grand Rapids is providing a livestream for Holy Week liturgies at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, with Bishop Walkowiak presiding. Although public Masses, other liturgies and devotional services are canceled due to COVID-19, the faithful can watch these services. In addition to the livestream, several liturgies will also be on TV.

Mass at the cathedral is already broadcast every Sunday at 10 a.m., on GRDiocese.org, Facebook, and FOX 17. Additional broadcasts have been added for the chrism Mass, Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday liturgy, and the Easter vigil.

Dear parents,

Governor Whitmer has now issued Executive Order 2020-35, declaring schools closed for the remainder of the school year. In accord with the order, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids will remain closed through the end of the academic year to ensure the continued safety of our students, teachers, and their families.

This story originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of FAITH Grand Rapids magazine. It was written by Maryalene Laponsie and features photography by Holly Dolci.

‘They looked at him with love’

These extraordinary times during the COVID-19 pandemic also provide us with extraordinary ways to pray together. Normally reserved for Christmas and Easter, Pope Francis is imparting a special Urbi et Orbi blessing this Friday, March 27, from St. Peter’s Square.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are temporarily closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Learning has not stopped, though.

Teachers, together with the hard work and assistance of parents, are working to provide the full value of a Catholic education. They continue introducing new content, standards, instruction and assessment according to our curriculum. This instructional material includes a variety of formats, including live online video lessons from teachers, recorded videos, reading assignments, and more.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids closed their buildings in mid-March to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Learning did not stop, though.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) issued a memorandum on March 20, 2020, regarding hours and days of instruction for public schools during this closure. Since the 31 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are not public schools or public charter schools (also known as public school academies or PSAs), we follow the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS) guidelines and diocesan calendar standards rather than MDE requirements.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids is providing a webpage about our Catholic community’s response to COVID-19. The page is available at GRDiocese.org.

Visit the page by clicking this link.

As people of faith, we pray for all affected by this virus, including those who have died.

While K-12 schools in Michigan are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, federal agencies have given approval for free school meals to be distributed at designated pickup locations or school bus stops.

Through the program, students of any school who are 18 years old and younger may receive enough food for up to two meals a day. Students with disabilities ages 18-26 with an active IEP (individualized education plan) are also eligible.

Two Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are pickup locations:

With the the temporary suspension of public Masses and faith formation classes and closing of Catholic schools due to COVID-19, the Diocese of Grand Rapids has prepared a webpage with resources for families' and individuals' prayer and reflection at home.

Visit the page by clicking this link.

Please also check with your parish for online faith formation resources.