Catholic Schools Week

Dear friends in Christ,

As we join thousands of Catholics around the nation to celebrate Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 30 - Feb. 5), we have much to be proud of regarding Catholic education in our diocese. West Michigan is home to 31 Catholic elementary and secondary schools serving more than 6,250 students. This includes our largest kindergarten class in 13 years, with 527 students.

It is encouraging to see that 24 of our 31 schools re-enrolled their same number of students or grew their enrollment this past school year. With nearly 1,500 students at Aquinas College, many families in West Michigan are choosing Catholic schools and in doing so, committing to prepare students to seek and fulfill God’s plan for learning and life.

Catholic schools offer young people the possibility of a daily encounter with Jesus Christ within the context of the highest-quality education. I thank the parents who send their children to Catholic schools. To those of you who work and volunteer in our schools, thank you for sharing your talents and Catholic faith with our students. Without you, the ministry of our Catholic schools would not be possible.

I invite every Catholic in the diocese to support our Catholic schools. If you are considering enrolling in Catholic schools, I encourage you to find one near you by visiting CatholicSchools4U.org, or by calling our Office of Catholic Schools at (616) 246-0590. If tuition is a barrier to enrollment, assistance is available in the form of scholarships offered through the diocese, parishes and schools. Please know of my prayers!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak Bishop of Grand Rapids