Catholic Education Week 2026

Dear GrACE Apostles,

GrACE exists because our Bishops asked for it. They encouraged Catholic school trustees and superintendents to bring GrACE into being, and in 2018 the Dioceses, the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) and the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA) covenanted together to establish it.

Before GrACE had a name, it had a verse. The Covenant they signed opened not with a mission statement but with a promise: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

That is why we are Advocates: because the Advocate reminds us of everything we have been given, and we speak up for it. All of us, with one voice.

This year the Bishops have given us Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Filled with joy and peace, alive in the Spirit.

Put the two verses side by side and they are one thought. The Spirit who reminds is the Spirit who fills. What He did for the first disciples — taught them what they had received, and then sent them out unafraid — is what He does for a Catholic school, and for everyone who speaks for one.

Even our three words belong to Him: inspire, invigorate, embolden. To inspire is to breathe the Spirit in. To invigorate is to be given new life by the Lord, the giver of life. To embolden is what happened at Pentecost.

So this Catholic Education Week, October 17–23: be reminded. Be filled. Then be an advocate — speaking up for what you have received, with the rest of us, with one voice.

The Covenant closes with St. Augustine’s prayer to the Holy Spirit, and so will I: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Amen.

Blessings and much love.
'Jesus, I trust in You'!

Kate
Executive Director | GrACE

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Yukon have written to us all for Catholic Education Week 2026. Produced in partnership between GrACE and the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA), the letter offers a unified pastoral voice that inspires, guides and strengthens our shared mission. Drawing on this year's theme, "The Power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13), the Bishops give thanks for the gift of Catholic education, place Christ at its heart, speak directly to our students, and thank everyone who serves in this mission.

Read the Bishops’ Letter – English Version
Lire la lettre pastorale des évêques – Version française

• For Catholic Education: That the God of hope fill our students, families and educators with all joy and peace in believing, so that they may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord.
• For Catholic Education: That our students, following the example of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, discover the gifts God has given them through His Spirit and place them at the service of others, we pray to the Lord.
• For Catholic Education: That during Catholic Education Week our homes, parishes and schools continue in unity and common vision, we pray to the Lord.
• For Catholic Education: That Government decisions will be made to protect Catholic education, we pray to the Lord.
• For Catholic education: in gratitude for the gift of publicly funded Catholic education, we pray to the Lord.

The full GrACE Prayers of the Faithful for Catholic Education Week is available to download.

Before the week

• Share the Bishops' letter for Catholic Education Week (English · French).
• Put Catholic education in your parish bulletin and school newsletters – start with the Did you know? Bulletin Insert.
• Invite your local media to tell a Catholic education story.

Catholic Education Sunday, October 17–18

• Be present at Mass and share what is happening in your Catholic schools.

All week, October 17–23

• Begin each day with prayer, using the daily prayer intentions.
• Get to know this year's saint, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati (Secondary biography · Elementary biography).
• Ask a student, parent, teacher, trustee and priest to record "Why I choose Catholic education," and post their answers on your website and social media.
• Share photos, stories and the history of your school or division that show faith at work.

Thursday, October 22

• Wear Blue for Catholic Education.

The GrACE Youth Summit presents an opportunity for Catholic youth to unite as a community and demonstrate their steadfast commitment to publicly funded Catholic education throughout Alberta and beyond.

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026

Venue: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, Alberta

Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Doors open at 9:30 AM)

For: Students in Grades 9–11

Hosted by: GrACE; Elk Island Catholic Schools & Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park

In-person places are full. Virtual attendance remains open — if a school or district would like to join us that way, please contact gracedirector7@gmail.com.

Please keep the Summit, and the young people who will gather for it, in your prayers.

GrACE Champions is our monthly spotlight that celebrates, showcases and highlights the faith within your schools and division. Each school division has its own month in the 2026–2027 school year, and each month has a spotlight theme. Your feature appears in this newsletter, and we send your division social graphics so you can share it too.

September's GrACE Champions: First Days, First Prayers

The Bishops remind us this Catholic Education Week that formation begins in the home, is nourished in the parish and is strengthened in our schools. Our September Champions show what that looks like from the first days of the year.

École St. Paul Elementary School opened the year with a liturgy on "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Students brought forward a lantern for Christ's guiding light, a plant for our duty to care for God's creation, and a handprint canvas for serving others. As one student said, "The plant reminds me that we are rooted in Christ too." Class lunch prayers and reflections on St. Teresa of Calcutta carry that faith into every day – students learning, as the Bishops ask, to place their gifts at the service of others.

Living Waters Catholic Schools gathered staff, central office and board members at École St. Joseph School in Whitecourt on August 26 for a Faith Learning Day, "Our Living Mosaic: A Day of Learning." The day launched Year One of the division's Faith Plan and its Belonging Project, grounded in a core commitment: that everyone who walks through its doors is seen, heard and valued, and knows they truly matter – the community of hope the Bishops pray our schools will be.

The Calgary Catholic Education Foundation launches the inaugural Valentine Memorial Walk/Run in Support of Catholic Education on September 27, honouring Ted and Shirley Valentine and their commitment to Catholic education. Participating schools run their own fundraising around the event, with 100% of the funds they raise going back to their school. It will bring students, families, educators, alumni, parishioners and supporters together – the shared witness of the wider Catholic community that the Bishops name in their letter.

September's stories end where October's begin: with faith that turns outward. This month two divisions take up "Love Your Neighbour, Loudly" – respect for life and social justice – in the same week the Bishops call our students to place their gifts at the service of others. This month's question: Who are your students standing up for this year?

Holy Spirit Catholic School Division – We look forward to hearing who Holy Spirit students are standing up for: a student-led social justice initiative, an outreach partnership, or a project where young people put respect for life into practice.

Yukon Catholic Schools – We look forward to showcasing Catholic education in the North: how the Yukon Catholic school community lives out care for one another and for creation.

• Stay connected – subscribe to GrACE's monthly newsletter, share it, and keep your contact details up to date with us.
• Tell your story – send us the good news from your school or parish for the newsletter.
• Get involved locally – support or start a GrACE group in your parish, and invite parents to take part.
• Speak up – champion the spiritual, intellectual and social benefits of Catholic education, and stand for the choice of Catholic education in Alberta and beyond.
• Share the mission – encourage everyone in your community to uphold the mission and values of Catholic education.
• Share the joy – post your pictures and tag us so we can celebrate with you.

Thank you for being a grateful advocate for Catholic education! Follow us, tag us in your posts, and we'll share and celebrate with you.

Website: gracealberta.org (https://www.gracealberta.org)
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The Society of Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education is an incorporated Alberta society serving Catholic education across Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Its six-Director Board is drawn from its three Member Associations: the Dioceses, ACSTA and CCSSA.