Detroit — Every year, one week toward the end of January is designated as National Catholic Schools Week — a week to celebrate and recognize the faith, value and service our Catholic schools bring to society.

This year, Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, and The Michigan Catholic is marking the occasion, as we do every year, with this special supplement.

Every Catholic Schools Week has its own theme, and this year’s theme is “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” That theme couldn’t exemplify the schools of the Archdiocese of Detroit any better, and throughout these pages you’ll find stories, photos and commentary highlighting the best of Catholic education in the Metro Detroit area.

According to the National Catholic Education Association, which co-sponsors the annual celebration along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “(s)chools typically observe National Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open house and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.”

In addition, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will celebrate a special Mass with students from across the archdiocese at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. In past years, the cathedral has been filled to capacity.

From the progress of our newest Catholic high schools (see page 5B) to family traditions of Catholic education (10B), this section will show readers why a Catholic education really does make a difference.

Many of the area’s Catholic grade schools and high schools have advertised their open houses and offerings in these pages, along with a few Catholic colleges and even seminaries in the area, too. And make sure to check out www.aod.org/schools for more information on what a Catholic education can offer.