13th Annual Diocesan Catechism Bee
The Catholic Schools Office will be hosting its 13th Annual Diocesan Catechism Bee on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Gaylord. Bishop Jeffrey Walsh will be our Moderator! This annual event (similar to a spelling bee) hosts the 6th grade student school catechism bee winners from each of our Catholic Schools in the diocese. Prizes are awarded to the top 3 – 1st place $1,000, 2nd place $500, and 3rd place $250.
One 6th grader per classroom from each individual school will represent their school at the annual Diocesan Catechism Bee.
History of Diocesan Catechism Bee
The annual Diocesan Catechism Bee traces its roots back to an initiative of the women of the St. Angela's Circle at St. Ann Parish in Cadillac, Michigan when they hosted a school-wide Catechism Bee in 2011.
The event’s success was the impetus for establishing a diocesan-wide program for the children attending our Catholic Schools. Starting in 2012, most of our schools hosted Catechism Bees during Catholic Schools Week 2012. The schools’ winners of the Advanced Division (6th Grade) competed in the 1st Annual Diocese of Gaylord Catholic Schools Regional Catechism Bee in April of that year which took place at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord. Bishop Bernard Hebda served as our moderator that first year. It was a tremendous success.
Every spring the Diocese of Gaylord now hosts a diocesan-wide Advanced Division Catechism Bee for 6th grade representatives from each of our Catholic schools. The Bishop of the Diocese traditionally serves as moderator.
