Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week 2023 Prayer

We are many, we are one; we all form one body in Christ.
Lord,
when we see the one before us, let us reverence your presence within;
when we listen to one another, let us hear with our hearts;
when we reflect on each encounter, may we discern to understand;
when we learn from those around us, let us respect our differences with joy;
and when we act, may we be kind and generous to all,
for each person is a member of your body, with all that they are.
We are many, we are one.

Amen.

À plusieurs, nous sommes un; dans le Christ, nous ne formons qu’un seul Corps.
Seigneur,
lorsque nous voyons l’autre devant nous,
puissions-nous reconnaître ta présence qui l’habite;
lorsque nous nous écoutons les uns les autres,
que nous entendions avec le coeur;
lorsque nous réfléchissons à chaque rencontre,
puissions-nous discerner pour comprendre;
lorsque nous apprenons des personnes qui nous entourent,
puissions-nous respecter nos différences avec joie;
et lorsque nous agissons,
que nous soyons bienveillants et généreux envers tous,
car chaque personne est membre de ton Corps avec tout ce qu’elle est.
À plusieurs, nous sommes un.

Amen.

Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories

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Catholic Education Week 2023

As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. Micah 4:5

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In this month of May, we celebrate Catholic Education Week in the province of Alberta. This
occasion affords us the welcome opportunity to reflect on the crucial role Catholic schools play in educating our children and young people, by creating formative communities of love and care that witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Alberta’s Catholic schools are beacons of hope for families across the province seeking faith-based education for their children.

The provincial theme this year reminds us of the call to “walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever” (Micah 4:5). Catholic Education Week also provides a special opportunity to thank each one of you for your extraordinary service on behalf of Catholic education.

We offer our deep appreciation to the educators in our Catholic schools who stayed the course throughout these past difficult years with extraordinary commitment. To the teachers, administrators and support staff of our schools, please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Your tireless dedication on behalf of Alberta’s children and families has been holy work. As Scripture states, “Well done good and faithful servants”.

Parents, you have our prayers and our support. Raising a family is both a joy and challenge. Our increasingly secularized society makes your task even more demanding. We honour the role you exercise as your child’s first and most important teacher. When you choose Catholic education, you are making a choice to have your child in a community of learning where faith in God is permeated in all of the activities of the school every day.

To the community that surrounds Catholic education, - clergy, grandparents and parishes – we want to affirm your commitment to supporting and enriching Alberta’s Catholic schools as essential. Please continue to pray and advocate for this precious gift of publicly funded Catholic education.

We, the Bishops of Alberta and Northwest Territories, in unity with the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA), the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA) and Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE), invite you all to unite with us in the promotion and strengthening of Catholic Education, as we walk in the name of the Lord along the pathway of faith and hope.

Yours in Christ,

Catholic Bishops of Alberta and NWT

Most Reverend Richard W. Smith Archbishop of Edmonton
Most Reverend William McGrattan Bishop of Calgary
Most Reverend Gary Franken Bishop of St. Paul
Most Reverend Gerard Pettipas CSsR Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
Most Reverend David Motiuk
Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Edmonton
Most Reverend Jon Hansen, CSsR Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith

World Catholic Education Day

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Every year, 40 days after Easter on Ascension Thursday, Catholics across the globe give thanks for the gift that is Catholic education through the celebration of World Catholic Education Day.

Catholic education has served nations for centuries through teaching students in their faith. Throughout Canada, provinces, territories, and dioceses dedicate special days or weeks to celebrate Catholic education. In keeping with these celebrations, World Catholic Education Day is a time for Catholics around the world to take a moment to pause, reflect and pray on the gift that is Catholic education.

This year World Catholic Education Day will be on Thursday, May 18.

We are wearing blue!

Class wearing blue Expand Image

Everyone is encouraged to wear blue in support of Catholic education on World Catholic Education Day on Thursday, May 18 and post a photo on social media using #blueforcatholiced and #ibelieveincatholiced.

Blue signifies constancy, fidelity, genuineness and aspiration and is especially associated with the Blessed Virgin. This is very appropriate as we celebrate Mary during the month of May.

Information Sheet for Catholic Education Week & World Catholic Education Day 2023

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Catholic Education Week (CEW) - Celebrated May 14 - 19 

  • All teachers will be sharing a Liturgy with students on May 18th to Celebrate World Catholic Education Day. These liturgies are shared on the Faith landing pad page. On this day we will pray together as a division for Catholic Education, while reflecting on our division theme of "Inspired by Christ on a Journey to Encounter, Nurture and Serve."  
  • The Communications Department and Faith Lead Teacher will be scheduling information that will go out on social media and websites throughout the week.
  • Five Marks of a Catholic School - GrACE (Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education) is asking us to join in solidarity with celebrating the 5 Marks in 5 Days for Catholic Education Week. 
  • Daily Prayer: Faith Lead Teacher has written prayers for use throughout the province promoting the 5 Marks of a Catholic School. We invite your schools to begin each day using these prayers for your daily announcements. Please invite your teachers to begin their lessons with these prayers. The Communications Department and Faith Lead Teacher will be working on social media images to share these prayers with our stakeholders. The prayers are shared on the Faith Landing Pad page: Catholic Education Week Resources 2023
  • School Social Media Posts: If you wish to post your own school photos or videos, please use the hashtag #ibelieveincatholiced. It would be great if the photos could coordinate with the “mark” of the day. Please see the GrACE document for the Five Marks of a Catholic School and more information.
  • see www.rdcrs.ca/faith/catholiceducationweek for more information.

World Catholic Education Day (WCED) - Celebrated Thursday, May 18 

#BlueforCatholicEd - The movement to “Wear Blue for Catholic Education'' will be promoted on Thursday, May 18 in recognition of World Catholic Education Day.  Please feel free to post pictures of staff, students and families wearing blue on social media and use the hashtag #BlueforCatholicEd