CHARLOTTE — In response to today’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis, the diocese’s Catholic Schools Office shared a message to parents asking everyone to stand in solidarity with the victims, their families and the entire parish community.
“Our hearts are with the victims of this morning’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of the diocese’s 20 schools. “Let us unite in prayer for healing and peace for their families and the entire school and parish community.”
Monroe also reassured parents “that the safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our highest priority.”
“In recent years, we have invested in adding layered security measures, improved protocols and comprehensive training across all our campuses,” he said. “Our principals, teachers and staff are vigilant in following best practices on campus, during Mass and on trips away from school.”
He also said the diocese is reviewing the events in Minneapolis “to learn and identify any enhancements that could strengthen our own practices.”
In the same letter, Bishop Michael Martin asked parents to recommit to putting their faith into action:
“We are stunned by today’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. All human life is precious, especially our children. Let us stand in solidarity with the victims and their families, renounce violence in every form, and uphold the sacredness of life in every space where people – especially children and the most vulnerable – should live in safety and freedom.”
— Catholic News Herald
CHARLOTTE — Organizers for 2026 Catholic Schools Week are pulling out all the stops with wacky costumes, themed service days and faith-based fun for students, teachers and parents across the Diocese of Charlotte.
This year’s theme is “United in Faith and Community,” and it runs from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31. With 8,288 students enrolled in 20 schools spanning the diocese from the mountains to the Piedmont, there will be lots of cherished moments where faith, fun and education converge.
Catholic schools across the nation have participated in this week-long celebration since 1974, joining together as one united Catholic school community to spread a message of unity and hope.
“Catholic Schools Week celebrates the gift of a Catholic education and the people who make it possible. It gives us a chance to thank our students, families, faculty and clergy for the mission we share,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, the diocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools.
The 2024 Nation’s Report Card, released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress on Sept. 9, 2025, statistics showed that Catholic schools outperform public schools in many areas. National results report Catholic school students in grades 4 and 8 scored 247 and 293 in math, respectively, compared to 237 and 272 in public schools. Catholic school students in grades 4 and 8 scored 230 and 277, respectively, in reading, compared to 214 and 257 for students in public schools.
WHAT’S ON THE SCHEDULE
Catholic Schools Week celebrates the importance of vocations, staff, faculty and volunteers, students, parents, the nation, parish and communities. While every school has unique scheduled events, here is a sampling of activities:
Many parishes will celebrate a special school Mass on Sunday to kick off the week. In some parishes, students will take on key roles during the Mass, children’s choirs will sing, and clothes showing school pride will be worn.
On Monday, students from Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville will venture off campus to serve the community, while St. Patrick and St. Matthew students in Charlotte will pack meals and blessing bags. Christ the King High School in Huntersville will host eighth-graders for a tour, pep rally and a sample class. Students at St. Pius X in Greensboro will perform a George Washington Carver play, while Charlotte Catholic High School students will have “Superhero Day.”
On Tuesday, Bishop Michael Martin will offer Mass at Bishop McGuinness High School. Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point will deliver community gift baskets, students at St. Ann in Charlotte will put on a talent show, while St. Gabriel in Charlotte and St. Leo the Great in Winston-Salem will host bingo and trivia.
On Wednesday, most schools will have a Mass. St. Ann will host military veterans for a Q&A session, and St. Leo the Great will host a family trivia night.
On Thursday, Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville will celebrate its centennial with a walk-through-time event. Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Leo schools will welcome clergy and members of religious orders to talk about vocations. John Woods, speaker and author of the Seven Deadly Dragons series, will visit Sacred Heart in Salisbury and St. Ann. St. Patrick will visit Catholic Charities, and St. Pius X will have a saints-themed parade.
To end the week on Friday, Jan. 30, most schools will focus on friendly competitions. Students at the high schools and St. Patrick will be playing basketball. St. Leo the Great and St. Matthew will host volleyball games. Students at St. Michael in Gastonia will skate the day away at Kate’s Skate.
“Every day in our schools, students are formed in faith and virtue while being challenged to pursue academic excellence, so they are ready to love God, serve others, and lead with conviction and joy,” Monroe said.
— Lisa M. Geraci