Discover Catholic Schools Week (DCSW), November 16–22, 2025, is the companion to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW), January 25–31, 2025.

John Carroll High School marked a milestone Oct. 23, 2025, with the grand opening of its new athletic fieldhouse, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A highlight of the evening was the dedication of the building in honor of former coach and mentor Dave Vercillo, who attended with many family members and friends.

After more than a decade of dedicated service, Gary Gelo, superintendent of schools, will retire in February 2026. He has led Catholic education in the diocese with vision, integrity and unwavering faith.

St. Helen Parish’s Respect Life ministry sponsors a butterfly release every year in remembrance of unborn babies. Just as a caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly, their hope is that the symbolic release will transform grief into hope and healing of the loss of an unborn baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion.

The month of November begins this year with our moving the clocks back an hour on its first Sunday, Nov. 2. As we do so, we are reminded, as we gain an extra hour, that time is always moving forward.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito recently blessed the new athletic field at Saint John Paul II Academy, capping the first phase of capital improvements to sports facilities on the Boca Raton campus.

Students at Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach joined a worldwide drive to pray the rosary Oct. 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and at other times during October, the month of the rosary.

After an earthquake reduced their parish buildings to rubble, a priest and a Catholic educator teamed up to rebuild their beloved church and school -- starting with the children whose faith was formed there.

The Communications and Development Offices of the Diocese of Palm Beach recently received statewide recognition for excellence in public relations, marketing and communications.

It was a joyous occasion as the Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women celebrated its fourth Golden Rose Award ceremony Oct. 4, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. Twenty-one young women in the diocese were honored for their exemplary leadership and service in their parishes.

The entire Church in the United States is especially encouraged to pray this Nationwide Novena in solidarity with Catholics across the country from October 10 to October 18 each year, beginning on World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) and concluding on the feast of Saint Luke the Physician (Oct 18).

According to the StThereseusa2025.com website, her relics will go to California; Washington, D.C.; Texas; Wisconsin; and various Carmelite convents through December.

Speaking Sept. 25, 2025, at St. Bernadette Parish in Port St. Lucie, Amelia “Mia” Akins, a campus formation coordinator with Students for Life of America, detailed the scope of her national organization.

Whether you're new to our scholarships or renewing, we're here to support you—no matter where you're stationed. This guide will help you determine which documents to include with your child’s application to confirm Florida residency.

Under the banner of “Live the Light of Christ,” the 2025-26 Lumen Christi Schools Appeal has begun in support of the Diocese of Palm Beach’s 18 Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

The Diocese of Palm Beach is home to schools where faith and learning come alive, and during my Bright Lights Tour, I had the privilege of experiencing that energy and dedication firsthand.

It was historic for the Catholic faithful around the world, especially the youth, as Pope Leo XIV proclaimed Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati as canonized saints Sept. 7, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square in Rome. It was the Holy Father’s first canonization of saints.

The Diocese of Palm Beach announces an upcoming leadership transition in the Office of Catholic Schools.

After reciting the Angelus prayer with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV publicly prayed for the victims of the Minneapolis school shooting and prayed for an end to gun violence.

During the summer break, many Catholic families get away for a vacation of fun and relaxation. For school administrators, especially ones whose campus is undergoing significant renovations, time away can be hard to come by.

Please join with us in prayer for the victims, families and all involved in this tragedy.

LIVE UPDATES: Shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis MN.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach opened for the 2025-26 term Aug. 11. At three local Catholic preschools, 14 elementaries and three high schools, more than 7,200 students are being educated in how to “Live the Light of Christ” today and for the rest of their lives.

The Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, with Bishop Barbarito’s blessing, will again present to exceptional young women in our Diocese the Golden Rose Award. The deadline for submission is September 1, 2025.

The Diocese of Palm Beach Office of Catholic Schools closely monitors any tropical disturbances and inclement weather. During this hurricane season, and as always, the safety of our Diocese of Palm Beach school faculty, staff and students is a top priority.

A group of 23 teenagers and seven chaperones from Sacred Heart Parish attended a Steubenville Youth Conference in Atlanta July 11-13.

Proceeds from the fundraising campaign are allocated to support and enhance the education of the more than 7,200 students enrolled in local Catholic schools, thanks to the generosity of many benefactors.

Father Ducasse François, pastor of St. Juliana Parish in West Palm Berach, has announced the hiring of Keller Lanahan as principal of St. Juliana School, effective July 16.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, together with Gary Gelo, superintendent of schools, have announced the appointment of Laurie Suarez Wilt as the next principal of Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth Beach, which became effective April 28.

Saint John Paul II Academy announced May 22 that Edward Bernot, current school principal, would assume the role of president, effective immediately.

This year celebrate your Father’s Day with a little Catholic pizzazz…

The Diocese of Palm Beach honors its Catholic high school graduates, particularly the valedictorians and salutatorians, with senior spotlights. In the last of three articles shining a light on excellence in Catholic education, the Florida Catholic spoke with the top seniors at Saint John Paul II Academy.

Looking back, Will Ochoa and Capri Crespo, the two top graduates at John Carroll High School, say they found a successful balance while maintaining high standards in their schoolwork. Both were pleased to be named “summa cum laude” graduates and co-valedictorians by their Fort Pierce school.

A highlight was the presentation of the Father Clem Hammerschmitt high school scholarship awards to three young women for their outstanding achievements and dedication in their parishes.

Speaking with Dillon Schneider and Sam Almazan Jr., the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, at Cardinal Newman High School, they easily call to mind the special teachers who have left positive impressions on them.

Dominican Sister Elizabeth Dunn, director at Hope Rural School in Indiantown, was recognized by the Diocese of Palm Beach’s Office of Catholic Schools at an administrators meeting May 1 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

St. John Paul II Academy, in the Diocese of Palm Beach, is pleased to announce that Mr. Edward Bernot, current school principal, will assume the role of president, effective immediately.

Sixteen educators in Catholic schools gathered in April for two days of training in how to establish and sustain learning environments that embrace STREAM education, which stands for science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math.

Message for Graduates from our Catholic Schools: You are also graduating at the time when the Church has a new Pope, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Part of his first words in his new role were addressed to young people at his first Sunday appearance in Rome, which was also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. He expressed, “To young people I say, Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and Christ the Lord!”

During a special Mass April 30 at Saint John Paul II Academy, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito welcomed 25 students and one teacher into full communion with the Catholic Church.

On his passing, I reflected upon our beloved Pope Francis as a Pope of surprises in so many ways, and in continuing with that I can honestly say that Pope Leo XIV is a Pope of surprises as well.

Ahead of the May 7 start of the papal conclave, the Pontifical Missions Societies USA is inviting faithful to pray -- not only for the assembly as a whole, but for a specific cardinal elector who will help to choose the next successor of St. Peter.

This year Divine Mercy Sunday falls on April 27, 2025. Find out the basics from TheDivineMercy.org.

The Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, together with Mr. Gary Gelo, Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Laurie Suarez Wilt as the next principal of Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth Beach, effective April 28, 2025.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the liturgy, which begins a nine-day period of official mourning and daily memorial Masses.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Brother Daniel Aubin, FSC, we invite all families to join us for the following services.  So that all faculty, staff, and students may have the opportunity to fully participate in the funeral mass and reception to follow, there will be NO SCHOOL at Saint John Paul II Academy on Tuesday, April 29.

Letter to Saint John Paul II Academy community on the passing of Brother Daniel Aubin, FSC

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops joins with many others around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis and reflecting on his life and ministry.