Bishop’s Solis’ Message on the Opening of the 2025-26 School Year Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Catholic Schools in Utah

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

Greetings of Christ’s peace and a warm welcome to our students, families and educators across the Diocese of Salt Lake City as we begin the 2025-2026 school year. This new academic year holds special meaning as we joyfully celebrate 150 years of Catholic education in Utah. We give thanks to God for the generations of clergy, religious, educators and parents whose faithful witness and unwavering commitment have built and sustained our Catholic schools as vibrant communities of faith and learning.

It is also my pleasure to welcome Mrs. Nikki Ward as Superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools. Mrs. Ward is replacing Mr. Mark Longe, who retired. She brings a solid foundation in Catholic educational leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of forming students in faith and excellence. I am confident she will lead with wisdom, collaboration and a heart rooted in the Gospel. Please join me in praying for her as she begins this important ministry, as well as for all our teachers, students, parents, and staff.

As we look ahead, I ask each of you to join me in renewing our focus on faith formation centered on the Eucharist, which is a key priority of our diocesan pastoral plan. Our schools are not only places of academic excellence; they are sacred spaces where children encounter the living and saving Christ. Let us work together – pastors, principals, faculty/staff and parents – to ensure our students grow in their love for the Lord, their knowledge of the faith and their commitment to living as joyful disciples.

Furthermore, during this year’s Jubilee Year of Hope declared by the late Pope Francis, he reminded us of the struggles and sufferings of our brothers and sisters in many parts of the world who are forced to flee their country due to war, senseless violence, poverty, corruption and other uncertainties. He exhorted us to be Pilgrims of Hope to those who struggle, guiding them toward greater hope for the future and to a renewed joy of living as children of God, created in his own image and likeness. 

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, we are “to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Is 61:1-2). So, share the Good News and be faithful witnesses of the love of God so that hearts may be filled with his hope, joy and peace.

May the Holy Spirit guide us this year as we walk together in faith, united in our shared mission to educate, and to form hearts and minds in Christ.

Yours truly in Christ, 

The Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, D.D.

Bishop of Salt Lake City