Catholic school students, teachers, and communities in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are gearing up for the 50th annual Catholic Schools Week, which will take place from January 28 to February 3. Under the theme of "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community," the 109 Catholic elementary and high schools in the archdiocese have planned a series of special programs and activities to commemorate this milestone.

Throughout the week, Catholic schools will host open houses, out-of-uniform days, service projects, Masses, talent shows, and student-faculty games and entertainment. These events aim to highlight the distinguished history of excellence that Catholic schools have maintained and to foster a sense of unity and togetherness among the students and faculty.

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will actively participate in the week's festivities. On Monday, he will engage in a teleconference conversation with high school students in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. All 23 Catholic high schools will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to Archbishop Schnurr. The teleconference will be broadcasted live at each high school and on social media platforms, including the Catholic Schools - Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook page.

On Tuesday, the week will kick off with the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. Archbishop Schnurr will preside over the Mass, joined by more than a dozen priests. Students from over 75 Catholic schools in the Cincinnati area are invited to attend. The Mass will be preceded by a parade of banners representing each school present. Members of the media are also invited to witness and report on this significant event.

The celebration continues on Wednesday with the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass near Dayton. St. Charles Borromeo Church in Kettering will host the Mass, where Archbishop Schnurr will lead the liturgy, accompanied by other priests. Schools in the greater Dayton area will be in attendance and actively participate in the Mass. Media representatives are welcome to attend and cover this event as well.

As part of their efforts to promote Catholic education, the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is informing prospective families about the legislative changes to the Ohio EdChoice Expansion Scholarship Program. These changes, effective since July 2023, now make all Ohio students eligible to receive an EdChoice Expansion Scholarship. The scholarships vary in amount based on income levels, with a maximum of over $6,000 for elementary students and over $8,400 for high school students. This legislative update ensures that an exceptional Catholic education is now more affordable for all. To learn more about these scholarships, interested individuals can visit www.catholicbestchoice.org.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is proud to be the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, serving approximately 435,000 Catholics. It is also home to the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment, with nearly 40,000 students. The archdiocese covers a 19-county territory, comprising 206 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, along with 109 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

As Catholic Schools Week approaches, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati looks forward to embracing this significant milestone and celebrating the unity and faith that underpin Catholic education. It is an opportunity for students, teachers, and communities to come together in gratitude for the invaluable contributions Catholic schools make to society.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626