Diocese of Joliet Response to Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting

The Diocese of Joliet is deeply saddened to learn of this morning’s shooting during school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Our condolences go out to the families of the students who were killed or injured and their school and parish community.

This event pains our hearts not only because the shooting occurred at a Catholic school’s first school Mass of the school year, but because students were confirmed to be among the victims. It is unusual for something like this to take place at a Catholic church and school. Catholic schools are usually smaller, tight-knit communities where faculty, staff, students, and parents know and support one another.

The school safety protocols at the Diocese of Joliet are designed to minimize risk, and we continuously look for opportunities to strengthen them. We train and prepare principals, students, and staff for these types of situations because we are not immune to violence.

The Diocese will hold its first school principal meeting of the new school year tomorrow. During this meeting, the Catholic Schools Office will review and discuss the latest Diocesan safety and emergency preparedness protocols to ensure that everyone is up to date.

The safety of everyone in our school communities at the Diocese is a top priority. Ongoing training at the Diocesan and county level helps strengthen crisis management and emergency response in our Diocesan schools, enhancing our efforts to remain safe, faith-filled learning spaces. Preparedness and prevention help keep everyone safe.

Please join us in praying for the victims and their families. We thank the families in our Diocese for entrusting their children to our care.