Dear Colleagues, Families, and Friends in Catholic Education,
Wishing you a blessed and joyful Catholic Schools Week 2026 (click here to view this message in English and Spanish).
Each time I visit one of our Catholic schools, I am deeply inspired by the life I see in action. Our schools are sacred spaces—places where Christ is made visible daily through the dedication of those who teach, guide, and nurture; the joy and promise of our students; the trust of families; and the faith-filled witness of our communities. This encounter with Christ is the heart of who we are, and the reason Catholic education continues to flourish.
Across generations, Catholic education has endured because Christ remains present in our classrooms and hallways. It is He who animates our mission, sustains our communities, and inspires young people to grow not only in knowledge but in wisdom, virtue, and hope. Today, as Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York enter a season of renewal, we see this living presence of Christ at work in the energy, creativity, and faith-filled commitment within our communities. Together, we are forming the next generation of Catholic saints, young men and women who will carry the light of Christ into the world. This renewal calls us to embrace new opportunities, strengthen our mission, and recommit ourselves to forming hearts and minds grounded in faith, hope, and love.
In Drawing New Maps of Hope, Pope Leo XIV reminds us of our call to move forward with hope, creativity, and confidence in Christ. This message speaks powerfully to Catholic education, where faith and learning are intertwined to nurture young people who are rooted in truth, guided by compassion, and prepared to serve the world with integrity and love.
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, may we give thanks for the gift of Catholic education and embrace this season of renewal, recommitting ourselves to forming hearts and minds grounded in faith, strengthened by knowledge, and filled with hope for the future.
Please know of my prayers for each of you, and every good wish for a joyful Catholic Schools Week.
Sincerely, in Christ,
Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools