Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

The Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville took part in the nationwide Catholic Schools Week from January 26 to February 1. The theme for this year was "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community."

On January 26, student representatives from the archdiocese's 48 Catholic elementary and secondary schools gathered for a Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church. The week featured service projects, eucharistic adoration, and other activities.

Some schools focused on vocation awareness during their celebrations. Justin Fout, principal of Immaculata Classical Academy, explained their approach: "Since it’s Catholic Schools Week and discerning one’s vocation is a huge part of being Catholic, we thought having a mini Vocation Day at the center of our Catholic Schools Week activities would be perfect." On January 29, students participated in a vocation presentation featuring priests, seminarians, and religious speakers.

Fout expressed hope that students would consider vocations such as priesthood or religious life: “We hope our students will pray and ask God what he wants of them in this life and be open to the priesthood and religious life.”

DeSales High School organized a luncheon to celebrate vocations. Other schools like Bethlehem High School and Sacred Heart Model School engaged in letter-writing campaigns to express gratitude to priests and seminarians.

Derek Hayden from Bethlehem High School described plans for students to write thank-you letters on January 30 to influential figures such as “their home parish priest, their grade school chaplain or their current chaplain.” He emphasized the significant role priests play: "One of the elements that makes Catholic schools special is the priests, who shape our students into who they are."

Each school conducted various activities throughout the week.