Dear GrACE Apostles,

Catholic education is not just our work—it is our witness. Rooted in faith, hope, and love, it is a sacred mission: to plant the seeds of God’s Kingdom in young hearts and minds, forming students who will carry the light of Christ into a world yearning for truth, beauty, and grace.

This parable reassures us that every faithful act—teaching, leading, advocating, or quietly praying—is part of God’s mysterious and magnificent work. We may not always see the fruit, but we trust that the seeds we sow in faith will flourish in God’s perfect time.

I am deeply grateful for the gift of faith nurtured in me by my parents and godparents. I now pay that gift forward through my work with GrACE—ensuring that Catholic education in Alberta remains strong, vibrant, and unmistakably Catholic for generations to come.

Let us press on—united in purpose and prayer—to protect and promote this sacred trust. Our Catholic schools are more than institutions; they are living communities of faith, forming saints, scholars, and servant leaders for the Church and the world.

With gratitude and unwavering hope,

Kate
"Jesus, I trust in You!"
Executive Director | GrACE Alberta

Catholic education is not just an institution—it is a living, breathing mission that depends on the sacred partnership between home, school, and parish. This partnership is not incidental; it is essential.

• Home – Parents, you are the first and most important educators of your children. The faith and values you instill shape their hearts for a lifetime.
• School – Catholic schools build on this foundation, forming students in wisdom, faith, and service, ensuring that Christ is at the center of learning.
• Parish – The Church provides the spiritual nourishment, sacraments, and sense of belonging that unites families in faith and mission.

In Alberta, we are blessed with a fully publicly funded Catholic education system—a privilege that allows families the freedom to choose faith-based learning. But this privilege is not guaranteed. It requires our constant advocacy, our commitment, and our willingness to stand together in defense of Catholic education.

A grateful Catholic Parent from Calgary Catholic School District testified at the GrACE October 2024 Summit that:

"Catholic education has shaped not just what my children know, but who they are. Their school is more than a place of learning—it’s where their faith is nurtured, their character is formed, and they are reminded daily who they are and whose they are—children of God. In a world that often pulls them in other directions, our Catholic school keeps them grounded in truth, love, and purpose."

This is the heart of Catholic education. It is more than just schooling; it is faith formation, character development, and a call to discipleship.

We are in a Jubilee Year of Hope—a time of renewal, recommitment, and bold action.

A jubilee is not passive—it is a time to break free from what holds us back, to restore what has been lost, and to proclaim renewal, faith, and freedom.

As we reflect on this sacred moment, we must ask ourselves:

🔹 Will we merely preserve what we have, or will we boldly renew and expand Catholic education?
🔹 Will we allow external pressures to diminish our mission, or will we stand strong in advocacy and faith?
🔹 Will we wait for others to lead, or will we take up the mantle and move courageously forward?

Too often, Catholic education operates in maintenance mode—defending what exists instead of proclaiming the Gospel boldly and inviting others into the mission. This must change.

• Breaking down silos within our movement and working together as one body in Christ.
• Overcoming fear and hesitation, replacing them with boldness and confidence in our Catholic identity.
• Reclaiming our voice, standing firm in truth, and proclaiming the beauty and necessity of Catholic education.

GrACE, in partnership with Alberta’s Catholic Bishops, ACSTA, and CCSSA, is fully committed to this renewal. Together, we are taking action to revitalize, strengthen, and defend Catholic education:

• Winning Hearts – Inspiring personal connection to the mission of Catholic education, ensuring every student, family, and teacher feels the call to discipleship.
• Engaging Minds – Equipping advocates with knowledge, confidence, and the ability to articulate the value of Catholic education to the broader community.
• Moving Forward – Strengthening our advocacy network, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring that Catholic education is not only preserved, but flourishes for generations to come.

Catholic education needs all of us—parents, educators, clergy, trustees, and advocates—to stand together. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Pray for Catholic education daily—at home, at Mass, and in schools.
• Engage with your local Catholic school—attend events, support Catholic teachers, and volunteer.
• Speak Up—write to your school trustees, MLAs, and policymakers about the importance of Catholic education.
• Share the Message—talk to other parents, parishioners, and friends about why Catholic education matters.
• Be an Advocate—join your Local GrACE Committee, participate in advocacy efforts, and stay informed.
• Strengthen the Parish-School Connection—encourage your parish to actively support Catholic schools, involve students in liturgies, and foster community ties.
• Lead by Example—live out your faith, show the joy of Catholic education, and inspire others to do the same.

Your voice matters. Your faith matters. Your commitment matters. Catholic education does not defend itself—it relies on faithful and courageous advocates like you.

The strength of Catholic education does not rest in the hands of a few—it belongs to all of us.

If you are a parent, teach your children the faith boldly and support your Catholic school.
If you are an educator, proclaim the Gospel with joy and form students in faith and excellence.
If you are a parishioner, pray for Catholic schools and engage with families who rely on them.
If you want a choice, speak up and defend the right of families to choose faith-based education.

Catholic education is not simply a right to defend—it is a gift to cherish, a mission to embrace, and a future to build.

Let’s all move from maintenance to mission, from preservation to transformation, and from passive support to courageous leadership.

Because Catholic education needs fighting for.

As we move forward together, let us draw strength from our shared purpose and trust in God’s guidance. By planting seeds of faith, hope, and love, we build a legacy that will endure far beyond our lifetimes.

With courage, unity, and unwavering commitment, we can ensure that Catholic education thrives as a powerful force for good in Alberta and beyond. Thank you for your tireless dedication to this sacred mission.

📩 Stay Connected – Subscribe to GrACE’s monthly newsletter and stay informed about the latest initiatives, events, and ways to support Catholic education.

📢 Be a Voice for Catholic Education – Share our newsletter with your community and help spread the message far and wide.

🎉 Celebrate Catholic Schools – Highlight the incredible work happening in Catholic schools and the difference they make in the lives of students, families, and communities.

📝 Share Your Story – How has Catholic education impacted you? Tell us your experiences, and let’s inspire others with the power of faith-filled learning.

📱 Engage on Social Media – Follow and connect with GrACE on Facebook, Twitter (X), and other platforms to stay inspired and informed.

👨‍👩‍👧 Encourage Parent Involvement – Invite parents to take an active role in GrACE and advocate for the future of Catholic education.

⛪ Support Your Parish’s GrACE Group – Join or start a GrACE group in your parish and work together to nurture and strengthen Catholic education.

📧 Keep in Touch – Help us stay connected by updating your contact information and ensuring you receive important updates.

🤝 Strengthen Our Collective Mission – Uphold the values and vision of Catholic education by working together as a united community.

✝️ Stand Up for Catholic Schools – Be a champion for Catholic education in Alberta and beyond. Your voice matters in ensuring a thriving future.

💡 Defend Your Choice – Support the right to Catholic education and its lifelong impact on faith, learning, and community.

🏆 Be an Advocate – Champion the spiritual, intellectual, and social benefits of Catholic education and its role in shaping strong, faith-filled individuals.

🔥 Take Action with GrACE – Your involvement fuels the movement—join us in ensuring Catholic education continues to thrive.

📸 Share the Joy – Capture moments, tag us in your posts, and let’s celebrate the beauty and success of Catholic education together!

There are so many positive stories about Catholic schools and education throughout Alberta and beyond.

Catholic education refers to educational institutions, Catholic schools, colleges, and universities; programs rooted in the Catholic faith; and the work of all who are known for their commitment to delivering academic excellence while emphasizing the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.

Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools marked 30 years of faith, formation, and community this year. Formed in 1995 through the unification of three Catholic school divisions, CTR has grown into a vibrant system serving over 10,000 students in seven Alberta communities and across the province through The Centre for Learning@HOME.

The milestone was celebrated during Faith Days (Feb 18–19), where Bishop William McGrattan blessed commemorative crucifixes—crafted from Holy Land olive wood and containing soil, stone, and incense from Bethlehem and Jerusalem—gifted to every CTR school.

With 17 schools, over 800 staff, and a deep commitment to Christ-centred education, CTR continues to form saints, scholars, and servant leaders for generations to come.

CTR Catholic celebrated 30 years of Catholic education during recent Faith Days where teachers and administrators gathered for two days of faith formation, reflection, and community. Rooted in this year's theme, Joyful Witness, we embraced our call to share faith, hope, and joy with one another and with God.

Join the movement by following GrACE on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Share your pictures, tag us, and let’s celebrate the incredible impact of Catholic education together! Your posts inspire others and amplify the message of gratitude and support for publicly funded Catholic schools.

Thank you for being a proud and grateful advocate for Catholic education!

Stay Connected:
🌐 Website: www.gracealberta.org
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/GrACE4cathed
✉️ Email: gracedirector7@gmail.com
🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @GrACE4cathed
📸 Instagram: @grace4catholiceducation

Let’s grow the GrACE community together! 💙

• Sign up to receive GrACE’s monthly newsletter.
• Share GrACE’s monthly newsletter.
• Celebrate Catholic schools and Catholic education.
• Provide information to share in GrACE’s monthly newsletter.
• Tell your positive stories and benefits from your Catholic school(s) and Catholic education.
• Subscribe to GrACE’s Facebook; Twitter (X), and other social media pages.
• Encourage parents to become more actively involved in GrACE.
• Support the local GrACE group in your parish.
• Send updated contact information to GrACE to keep its database current.
• Encourage a sense of collective responsibility in upholding the mission and values of Catholic education in our shared society.
• Make a stand for Catholic schools and Catholic education in Alberta and beyond.
• Assert your choice in favor of Catholic education and its values.
• Champion the benefits of Catholic education and its broader implications for the spiritual, intellectual, and social development of individuals and society as a whole.
• Be active in the GrACE movement.
• Post your pictures and tag us so we can share them and celebrate too.

Student volunteers are warmly invited to represent their School in GrACE’s

social media campaign, new outreach, and database development.

How we can we better utilize technology platforms to ensure timely and effective communication within the wider Catholic education family and beyond? Your ideas will be gratefully received.

Please email gracedirector7@gmail.com to express interest and suggestions.

• 'Instruction of the Congregation for Catholic Education, ‘The identity of the Catholic school for a culture of dialogue, from the Vatican, 2022
• Growing in Faith Symposium — 5 Marks of Catholic Education
• CCSSA Catholic Leadership Quality Standards
• 5 Marks of an Excellent Catholic Leader
• The Excellent Catholic Teacher
• Calgary Catholic Schools
• Redeemer Revelations

Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast with Archbishop Richard Smith that seeks to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith.

📅 October 24, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM\

📍 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, Alberta