DETROIT – More often than not, it’s the people who quietly show up, day in and day out, who make the biggest difference in a community.
In Southwest Detroit, that kind of steady leadership is on display at Holy Redeemer Catholic School—an institution that has served generations of local families for well over a century.
“The school’s been present here since 1882,” said Sister Kateri Burbee, the school’s principal.
Ask the team at Holy Redeemer what defines the school, and you’ll hear the same themes repeated: faith, family, and community.
Those values take on a joyful energy during National Catholic Schools Week, when students and staff celebrate with themed days and visible moments of gratitude.
At the center of the historic campus is Sister Kateri, who has become a familiar presence in the neighborhood over the past nine years—seven of them as principal.
When asked what sets Holy Redeemer apart, Sister Kateri pointed to the school’s welcoming culture and great pride in its Catholic identity.
“We really do try to have it be a school that is welcoming and a school that is really proudful of their Catholic faith,” said Sister Kateri.
For Sister Kateri, the school’s strength is also rooted in the people who make it run.
“I get so proud to be able to say I’m part of Holy Redeemer, because the parents and the staff all make it a great community,” Sister Kateri said.
The school’s day-to-day success includes plenty of effort that isn’t always visible.
Administrators and staff work closely with community partners to secure scholarships that enable students to attend Holy Redeemer.
Their focus, they say, is building academically successful future leaders—supported by a school culture that emphasizes personal attention and strong relationships.
Joey Jegier, Holy Redeemer’s Director of Advancement and an athletics coach, has seen the school grow significantly.
“To humbly say that our school has grown would be an understatement,” Jegier said. “We went from 170 students, roughly 10 years ago, to now 225. And our academics are great because we’ve got high-quality teachers. We’ve got low class sizes.”
Even as a small neighborhood campus, Holy Redeemer is known for a big spirit—one that Sister Kateri describes as motivating and contagious.
When asked what inspires her to continue the work every day, her answer was simple and deeply personal.
“It’s really, like, Jesus has called me to this, and I do it because this is what he’s asked of me,” Sister Kateri said. “And when you do something that God asks you to do, you find that energy. You find that peace. You find that joy. Like, I love coming to work. And I love seeing the children. And that’s what gets me up in the morning. To be able to serve them.”
Administrators say Holy Redeemer is one of only four K-8 Catholic school campuses still operating in Detroit—an increasingly rare presence in the city’s educational landscape.
Yet its impact continues to be felt. For generations, families have chosen Holy Redeemer as the place to educate their children—an enduring legacy built on tradition, faith, and a community that keeps showing up.