FALL RIVER – The annual tradition of celebrating Catholic Schools Week at the end of January continues in its 51st year in the United States with the theme of “Catholic Schools United in Faith and Community” front and center during the week of January 25 – 31, 2026.  All 17 of the Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools will join thousands of Catholic schools across the country by inviting their local communities to experience the uniqueness of Catholic education through open houses, school Masses, tours, and a myriad of other traditions reserved for this time of year.

One of the goals of Catholic Schools Week is to communicate what sets Catholic schools apart from public, charter, or other private schools.  Pope Leo XIV said in his recent Apostolic Letter, “The Catholic school is an environment in which faith, culture, and life intertwine. It is not simply an institution, but rather, a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction.”  While other school systems can only offer academics and skills, it is the goal of Catholic schools to “Educate for Eternity” by opening the minds, transforming the hearts, and igniting the souls of students in order to cultivate each person’s desire to become the person God created them to be.

Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools Daniel Roy said, “Each of the Diocese of Fall River Catholic elementary schools has launched a video that focuses on specific ways that their school communities embrace all children as created in the image and likeness of God.  Interviews with parents, students, teachers, principals, and pastors together tell the story of their school’s unique Catholic mission both visually and verbally.  All videos are available on the RediscoverCatholicSchools.org website with more description on what a Catholic education means to students, families, teachers, school leaders, and the broader Catholic school community.”

Derrick Borges, a parent of a student at Holy Name School in Fall River, shared that, “Holy Name helps children become the people God created them to be because it is fabricated into their daily routines here at school. From the morning prayer to those little moments with their prayer partners, to just recess moments, showing good sportsmanship and humility and just how to be a good person and live in God’s eyes.”

Finally, affordability is always a concern for many new families as they engage in learning more about the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River.  Christina Duggan, Vice President of Operations for the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, explained that, “Families with children in grades kindergarten to grade 8 are encouraged to apply to the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) which helps reduce the cost of tuition by providing scholarships. For this school year, nearly 1000 students have received a needs-based award ranging from $250 – $2750 per student and can cover up to 50% of tuition, depending upon the school.  FACE scholarships can result in a monthly tuition payment of $300 or less. Awards are determined by a family’s financial circumstances at the time of application and families must complete their application by the March 31, 2026 deadline for the best chance of receiving an award.” 

“Our faith tells us that that each student is made in the image and likeness of God, and we are just so blessed to bring students, teachers, staff and families together on the holy ground of each Catholic school classroom, hallway, or gymnasium,” said Marian Desrosiers, who is Director of Catholic Identity and Mission.  “And in doing this, every day and throughout each day, they will begin to learn the necessity of prayer.”

For more details about Catholic school Open Houses during Catholic Schools Week, please go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/2026-open-houses/.

To view all 14 videos, please go to www.rediscovercatholicschools.org/educating-for-eternity

About the Catholic Schools Alliance

The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential. With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society.

Diocese of Fall River
Diocese of Fall River
Office of Communications