Schools superintendent Dr. Greg Monore visits with students at St. Ann School on the first day of school. (Photo by Troy Hull)CHARLOTTE — Wearing big smiles and backpacks and lunch bags in hand, some 8,300 Catholic students went back to school across western North Carolina this week. Most of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 20 schools opened on Wednesday, with some staggering their start times or opening days to accommodate incoming families.
The diocese expects a third consecutive year of record enrollment, with a new bishop to greet students at the start of a new academic year. Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., a former Catholic school educator, shared special “welcome back to school” video messages to students that he recorded from the driver’s seat of a school bus.
Bishop Martin urged elementary school kids to learn more about Jesus and His friends, so they too can be a friend of Jesus. He encouraged middle schoolers to treat others as Jesus would treat them. And his advice for high school students as they look forward to a new year and life’s big changes to come: “Trust Jesus.” (Oh, and “By the way,” he said, “cut your teachers and your parents a little slack,” as “they are working hard for you.”).
In the coming days, the new bishop will offer Mass at Charlotte Catholic High School, St. Michael School in Gastonia, and at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte for area homeschool families.
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by staff and provided
Dr. Greg Monroe, Superintendent of schools, visits with students at St. Ann School in Charlotte on the first day of school.
Dr. Greg Monroe, Superintendent of schools, visits with students at St. Ann School in Charlotte on the first day of school.
Lots of smiles on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Students are excited to start classes on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Welcome back to school at St. Michael School in Gastonia.
Welcome back to school at St. Michael School in Gastonia.
Holy Trinity Middle School welcomes students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Holy Trinity Middle School welcomes students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Holy Trinity Middle School welcomes students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Students are excited for a new school year at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Welcome back to school at St. Michael School in Gastonia.
Lots of smiles on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Father Casey Coleman blesses students as the return to Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Father Casey Coleman blesses students as the return to Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Father Casey Coleman blesses students as the return to Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Students are excited to start classes on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Lots of smiles on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
The annual “Blessing of the Backpacks” marked the start of the first day of school at Immaculata Catholic School with Father Andres Gutierrez dispersing holy water in the gym during morning assembly Aug. 19.
The annual “Blessing of the Backpacks” marked the start of the first day of school at Immaculata Catholic School with Father Andres Gutierrez dispersing holy water in the gym during morning assembly Aug. 19.
New students at Immaculata Catholic School had nothing but hugs for Principal Margaret Beale.
Students are excited to start classes on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Students are excited to start classes on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Students are excited for the first day of school at St. Ann in Charlotte.
Students are excited for the first day of school at St. Ann in Charlotte.
Students are ready for the year to start at St. Patrick School in Charlotte.
Students are ready for the year to start at St. Patrick School in Charlotte.
Dr. Greg Monroe, Superintendent of schools, visits with students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte on the first day of school.
Students are ready for the year to start at St. Patrick School in Charlotte.
Students are ready for the year to start at St. Patrick School in Charlotte.
Students are ready for the year to start at St. Patrick School in Charlotte.
Dr. Greg Monroe, Superintendent of schools, visits with students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte on the first day of school.
Students are excited for a new school year at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Students are excited for a new school year at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.
Bishop McGuinness High School welcomes the class of 2028.
Bishop McGuinness High School welcomes the class of 2028.
Students smile as they arrive at St. Pius X School in Greensboro for the first day of school.
Students smile as they arrive at St. Pius X School in Greensboro for the first day of school.
Students smile as they arrive at St. Pius X School in Greensboro for the first day of school.
Students smile as they arrive at St. Pius X School in Greensboro for the first day of school.
At St. Pius X School, a bulletin board full of photos featuring students with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio provided a poignant tribute to their late pastor, who passed away July 19. The board also featured an inspirational quote from one of Monsignor Marca
Students smile as they arrive at St. Pius X School in Greensboro for the first day of school.
St. Matthew Wildcats are full of joy for the new school year.
St. Matthew Wildcats are full of joy for the new school year.
It's a great day to be a Holy Trinity Bulldog.
Middle school students at St. Leo in Winston-Salem are ready for the new school year.
Middle school students at St. Leo in Winston-Salem are ready for the new school year.
Students are getting settled in their classrooms on the first day of school at Charlotte Catholic High School.
Students are getting settled in their classrooms on the first day of school at Charlotte Catholic High School.
Students are getting settled in their classrooms on the first day of school at Charlotte Catholic High School.
Students at St. Ann School watch a video message from Bishop Martin on the first day of school.
Classrooms at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury are blessed.
First graders are ready for the school year at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury.
Father Matthew Dimock high-fives a youngster in the halls of Sacred Heart School.
Sacred Heart students are excited to go back to school.
Immaculate Heart of Mary school in High Point welcomes back students.
Immaculate Heart of Mary school in High Point welcomes back students.
Immaculate Heart of Mary school in High Point welcomes back students.
Immaculate Heart of Mary school in High Point welcomes back students.
Father José Palma greets a student on the first day of school at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem.
Father José Palma blessed classes at the start of school.
Our Lady of Mercy School welcomed students to classes with a special message from Bishop Martin.
Staff and Father Kevin Tran welcomes students to St. Gabriel School in Charlotte.
Students at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte watch a message from Bishop Martin on the first day of school.
Students at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte watch a message from Bishop Martin on the first day of school.
Students at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte watch a message from Bishop Martin on the first day of school.
Students at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte watch a message from Bishop Martin on the first day of school.
Students arrive for the first day at St. Mark School in Huntersville.
Students arrive for the first day at St. Mark School in Huntersville.
Students arrive for the first day at St. Mark School in Huntersville.
Students arrive for the first day at St. Mark School in Huntersville.
Students smile for the first day at St. Mark School in Huntersville.
Students are excited to start classes on the first day of school at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.
Christ the King High school students Class of 2025 kicked off their final year with a moment of reflection and anticipation.
Christ the King High school students Class of 2025 kicked off their final year with a moment of reflection and anticipation.
As the sun rose, so did their excitement for the year ahead - a year full of memories to be made, challenges to conquer, and friendships to cherish.
As the sun rose, so did their excitement for the year ahead - a year full of memories to be made, challenges to conquer, and friendships to cherish.
Canongate Catholic High School is the final school to resume this year.
Students are excited to for the first day of school.
Schools superintendent Dr. Greg Monore visits with students at St. Ann School on the first day of school. (Photo by Troy Hull)CHARLOTTE — Wearing big smiles and backpacks and lunch bags in hand, some 8,300 Catholic students went back to school across western North Carolina this week. Most of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 20 schools opened on Wednesday, with some staggering their start times or opening days to accommodate incoming families.
