Celebrating 150 years of Catholic education in Utah

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Catholic Schools are launching a year-long celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Mary’s Academy, the first Catholic school in Utah by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1875. From that humble beginning Catholic education in Utah has grown into a network of 16 Catholic schools serving nearly 5,000 students today.

The celebration, which will run throughout the 2025-2026 school year, was officially kicked off in a video message from Bishop Oscar A. Solis on the diocesan website. 

Planned throughout the year are a variety of liturgies, community engagement activities and special projects.

“One hundred fifty years doesn’t come around very often,” said Nikki Ward, superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools. “We decided that we would do a lot of celebration at the local level in each school, honoring the Sisters of the Holy Cross and everyone who has come before us.”

The celebration will be anchored by two major initiatives: a 150 Faces of Catholic Education social media campaign and a 150 Acts of Kindness Campaign.

Throughout the year the 150 Faces of Catholic Education social media campaign will spotlight individuals who have shaped Catholic education in Utah, both past and present. Each month, the campaign will feature new profiles on the diocesan website and social media channels. These will highlight religious sisters, brothers and clergy who have served in the schools, as well as current and former administrators, faculty, staff, volunteers and alumni. The community is invited to nominate individuals who have had a significant impact on Catholic schools by completing this form at this link: https://tinyurl.com/bdzeaeap. It is also available on the diocesan website.

All 16 schools will participate in the 150 Acts of Kindness Campaign by completing 150 intentional, documented acts of kindness per school. These acts may be big or small and will be performed by individual students, classrooms, or the entire school. They could include community food drives, service projects, or simply helping a friend. Schools are encouraged to track their progress and share their stories on social media using the hashtag #150KindnessUtah.

In addition to these campaigns, the schools will participate in a variety of other activities, including opening Masses at each school on Sept. 5, a diocesan spelling bee and other academic competitions along with student essay contests for eighth and 12th-grade students, focusing on the legacy of Catholic education and its impact on their futures. There will also be “Then and Now” photo displays on school social media. At each school students will lead their peers in the 150-Year Challenge to raise a collective $15,000 for Holy Cross Ministries. 

The year-long celebration will also include monthly themes, a spotlight on diversity and Earth Day celebrations, with each event designed to honor the legacy of Catholic education in Utah and look toward its future.

“Catholic education is about faith formation and academic excellence,” Ward said. “I think the benefits of Catholic education truly become apparent when our students have grown and graduated from high school. Catholic education gives you a community, and that support is a tremendous blessing.”