Yolanda Carolina Ortiz was born in a small town in the state of Táchira on the western border of Venezuela, just south of the Colombian border. She grew up surrounded by an abundance of agriculture and livestock, as well as a strong industrial sector that employed many. Everyone knew each other and helped each other. Yolanda graduated from a small Catholic school in the area founded by a group of Spanish sisters called “Adoratrices Esclavas del Santísimo Sacramento,” and has beautiful memories of learning the faith and forming her personal relationship with the Lord.

Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council, more commonly referred to as GRACEAC, is doing more this year. Yes, more sports are added this year and there’s a growing number of participants, but they are also seeking more connection between the Catholic school day and evening athletics.

Article from FAITH Grand Rapids Magazine, issue September 2023

By Sara Davies Aldworth | Photography by Rob Schumaker

Please join us in welcoming Luke Cunningham as the newest member of the Office of Catholic Schools! Luke began his role as Administrative Assistant on August 21. 

Dear friends of Catholic schools,

As we begin this school year, there are exactly nine days between our Back to School Celebration and the first day of school for most of our schools. Please join us in 9 days of prayer (below) - a novena - for the students, their families and all the faculty and school leaders as they make final preparation to begin another 180 days of transformative Catholic education.

Please join us in welcoming Gabriela Ricksgers-Giralt as the newest member of the Office of Catholic Schools! Gabriela began her role as Admissions Advocate on July 10. 

Every Jan. 16 since 1993, the president of the United States has proclaimed National Religious Freedom Day, commemorating the day the Virginia statute for religious freedom was signed into law on Jan. 16, 1786. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …”. Religious freedom is a big deal in the United States. 

The end of a school year means many things - awards ceremonies, annual reports, field days, exams, teacher gifts, and graduations. All of these bring about a feeling of completion and closure. But for one of our diocesan teachers, Miss Margie Downer, June 9 marked the close of a major chapter of her life. 

Dear friends in Christ,
It can be argued that Catholic education is as important now as it has ever been. In response to the growing incompatibility between popular culture and Catholicism, many are turning to Catholic schools.

Our schools recognize parents as the primary educators of their children, teach respect for every human life, affirm that we are created male and female with purposeful complementarity, uphold marriage as between one man and one woman, and prioritize incarnational, Christ-centered Catholic education.