2026 Catholic Schools Week
See how Catholic schools in the Diocese of New Ulm are growing faith, community, and academic excellence.
St. Anastasia Catholic School - Hutchinson
St. Anastasia School has its own school garden! Hands-on experiences like this help the students appreciate the beauty of God’s creation while learning in meaningful ways. This community is grateful for both the fruits of the garden and the joy it brings to the students.
Holy Redeemer Catholic School - Marshall
Eighth graders from Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Marshall joined local seniors in Intergenerational Games and Goodies. The seniors had fun teaching the kids how to play Fast Track and Farkle while being taught new games from the kids as well. The roar of laughter filled the room. Snacks and conversation were enjoyed by all!
New Ulm Area Catholic Schools (NUACS)
NUACS intentionally builds connections with the local community through service, outreach, and relationship-building at various grade levels. Students visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities where they spend time playing games, doing crafts, and other activities with them. The second grade class participated in going door-to-door to community neighbors and leaving a treat for them. As part of service learning, seventh grade students learn about service-oriented emergency response careers, meeting with local law enforcement, EMT staff, and fire volunteers to learn about their jobs and identify ways community members can support their work. St. Anthony students raise money and shop for toys for Santa’s Closet, and CHS juniors partner with the Sertoma Club to help set up and organize toys for the event. These experiences help NUACS students learn the importance of actively serving their community.
St. Raphael’s Catholic School - Springfield
St. Raphael Catholic School has conducted a shoe drive for several years, collecting new and used shoes for Funds to Orgs. They get the shoes to people in developing countries, enabling them to start their own business reselling them. This project helps the environment by keeping shoes out of landfills, and it helps people around the world start their own businesses. St. Raphael’s gets a small kickback of money for doing the shoe drive, so it helps the community here too! This year St. Raphael’s packed 128 bags of shoes with 25 pairs of shoes each— 3,200 pairs of shoes!
John Ireland Catholic School - St. Peter
John Ireland Catholic School received coaching from the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) to help support their Breakfast with Santa event in December. It showcased students’ artwork, their dance club, and showed off the school building while inviting all who entered the doors to come back and visit for a student day.
John Ireland School welcomed a special visitor, Mayor Shanon Nowell, of St. Peter in December. She shared valuable insights about civic duties and good citizenship, reminding students of the importance of being responsible and caring members of the community. To end this time together, students sang a song of blessing.
St. Anne’s School - Wabasso
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are freed from sin, reborn as children of God, and incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.
Once each month, during a school Mass, special petitions and blessings are offered up for all students and staff celebrating the anniversary of their Baptism that month. This recognition of Baptism reminds the community of the moment we were marked with the sign of the Cross and claimed for Christ forever. This is a powerful reminder for students and staff of the baptismal call to live as disciples—sharing Christ’s love, serving others, and building up the one Body into which all have been baptized.
Following the Mass, recognized students invite their families for rolls and juice – always well attended!
Holy Trinity School - Winsted
Holy Trinity School joyfully celebrates Catholic Schools Week by honoring the people and values that make our school community strong. The week begins with a Family Fun Fest and Open House, welcoming families and the wider community for food, fellowship, and fun. Throughout the week, students are celebrated through creative activities, affirmation projects, and opportunities to express joy and school spirit. A commitment to service is reflected as students reach out to local nursing home residents. Prayer and reflection remain at the heart of the week through Mass, a schoolwide Rosary, and spiritual bouquets for clergy and religious. Catholic Schools Week concludes by recognizing the dedication of our faculty, staff, and volunteers—those who make Holy Trinity a place where students grow in faith, knowledge, and love each day.