Baton Rouge, La. – The Diocese of Baton Rouge will host its annual Catholic Schools Week celebration January 30 to February 5, 2022, with an invitation-only dinner honoring distinguished graduates and milestone service awards on Jan. 31, 2022, at the Renaissance Hotel. There will also be a celebration of the Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral with reserved and distanced seating at 10 a.m. on February 2, including students and representatives from each school and featuring the Schola Cantorum from St. Joseph’s Academy/Catholic High School.
This year’s distinguished pastor is the Rev. Randy Cuevas of St. Aloysius School; distinguished principal is Mrs. Lisa Harvey of Catholic High School; and St. Alphonsus Catholic School’s Annette Nicosia is the diocesan distinguished educator for 2022.
More than 14,000 K-12 students are served in 30 schools plus a special education program throughout the diocese, which encompasses nine civil parishes that are home to 12 Catholic parishes some 212,000 Catholics.
“The Catholic Schools mission of our diocese is so deeply rooted in faith and a rich heritage that we continue to bear fruit,” said Dr. Melanie B. Palmisano, Ed. D., superintendent of schools for the diocese. “It’s important to recognize these accomplishments and reflect on our heritage as we continue to serve.”
Catholic schools in the diocese employ more than 1200 professional staff and boast 100 percent graduation rates for seniors, $50 million in college scholarships awarded and $21 million in TOPS funding, 630 high school credits earned in middle schools, and 4200 college credits earned.
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