Catholic Schools Week

Dear friends in Christ,

Please join Catholics around the nation in the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, January 29 - February 4, 2023. When it comes to Catholic education in our diocese, we have much to be proud of. West Michigan is home to 31 Catholic elementary and secondary schools serving more than 6,400 students. Enrollment is steadily increasing post-pandemic and data shows that our swift response to COVID restrictions prevented the significant learning losses we are seeing among students across the nation.

Most importantly, Catholic schools continue to offer young people opportunities for a daily encounter with Jesus Christ within the context of the highest-quality education. I am thankful for parents who chose to send your children to Catholic schools. To those of you who work and volunteer in our schools, thank you for sharing your talents, time, and Catholic faith with our students. Without you, the ministry of our Catholic schools would be greatly diminished.

I encourage every Catholic in the diocese to support our Catholic schools. If you are considering Catholic education, I invite you to find a Catholic school 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 continued prayers for you and your family!

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak Bishop of Grand Rapids