Dear GrACE Apostles,

March 17th’s St. Patrick’s Day is more than a celebration—it is a powerful reminder of faith in action. St. Patrick, a missionary and teacher, dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel, transforming hearts, and building a faith-filled culture in Ireland. His deep trust in God’s providence and unwavering commitment to evangelization mirror our mission in Catholic education here in Alberta.

As we guide students in faith and learning, we follow St. Patrick’s example, sharing Christ’s light in our schools and communities. May his legacy inspire us to persevere in our calling, knowing that through faith, dedication, and love, we continue the mission of forming hearts and minds for Christ.

St. Patrick, pray for us and for the cause of Catholic education, that we may be inspired by your faith and mission, and that our schools may continue to shine as beacons of light, nurturing hearts and minds to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and love for Christ.

Blessings and much love.

'Jesus, I trust in You'!

Kate

Executive Director | GrACE

A dynamic representation of Catholic education—whether in Alberta, Ireland, or anywhere in the world—where faith ignites learning, community fosters belonging, and the mission of GrACE inspires hearts to shine.

St. Patrick was not just a teacher—he was a missionary with a purpose. He did not simply maintain the faith where it already existed; he brought it to new places, deepened understanding, and ensured its future. He transformed an entire nation by boldly evangelizing, teaching, and forming disciples. That same missionary spirit must drive Catholic education in Alberta today.

If we focus only on maintaining Catholic education—keeping schools open, ensuring enrollment, and managing the system—we risk losing its deeper purpose. Catholic education is not about mere survival; it is about formation, evangelization, and transformation. It is about proclaiming the Gospel with conviction, strengthening faith communities, and preparing the next generation to live and defend their faith with courage.

St. Patrick did not shrink from his mission—he embraced it. Today, Catholic education in Alberta needs that same conviction and fire. We must move beyond maintaining what we have and step into true evangelization.

Now is the time to act. We must go beyond maintenance and embrace mission. Catholic education in Alberta must be

renewed, strengthened, and fearlessly proclaimed.

Let’s make it happen—together!

GrACE exists to advocate, inspire, and unite Catholic education across Alberta. In a world where faith is increasingly challenged, our role is to ensure that Catholic schools remain places of vibrant learning, deep faith formation, and unwavering commitment to Christ.

This mission requires boldness. It requires us to engage our communities, speak openly about the value of Catholic education, and ensure that future generations have access to schools where faith and academics thrive together. Our work is not just about preserving Catholic education—it’s about strengthening and growing it for the future.

As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, let us draw courage from his witness. Like him, we are called to be missionaries, proclaiming the Good News and ensuring that Catholic education continues to flourish in Alberta and beyond.

• Faith-Centered Schools: Catholic schools must be beacons of evangelization, where students encounter Christ daily and are formed in faith.
• Home, School & Parish: A United Front: The strength of Catholic education depends on all of us. Families, parishes, and educators must work together to pass on the faith and build strong, faith-filled communities.
• Raising Leaders, Not Just Graduates: Like Saint Patrick, Catholic education forms disciples and leaders who courageously carry the mission forward throughout Alberta and beyond.
• Defending Catholic Education: Fully publicly funded Catholic schools are a gift, not a guarantee. We must advocate, engage, and take action to protect this God-given opportunity for faith-based education.

📢 Join the Mission with GrACE

📸 Share your pictures, tag us, and spread the joy of Catholic education. Every post inspires others, strengthens our mission, and amplifies the message of gratitude and support for publicly funded Catholic schools

🌐 Website: www.gracealberta.org
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/GrACE4cathed
🐦 X (Twitter): @GrACE4cathed
📸 Instagram: @grace4catholiceducation

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

Catholic education exists today because of people like you—parents, educators, clergy, and community members who believe that faith and learning belong together. If we want to protect, strengthen, and grow Catholic education, we must act now.

1. Engage with Your Parish and School

• Attend a school Mass or parish event.
• Ask your priest how to strengthen the school-parish connection.
• Encourage families to consider Catholic education for their children.

2. Speak with Confidence

• Tell one friend or neighbor why Catholic education matters.
• Share a positive message about Catholic schools on social media.
• Tag GrACE so we can amplify your story and celebrate together!
• Speak up when you hear misinformation—your voice makes a difference.

3. Engage with Decision-Makers

• Contact your MLA and local elected officials to express your support.
• Attend school board or parish meetings—your presence matters.
• Vote in elections with Catholic education in mind—your vote counts.

4. Celebrate & Strengthen Catholic Education

• Wear your Catholic school swag.
• Share a personal story about how Catholic education impacted your family.
• Support Catholic education initiatives in your parish.

• Pray daily for Catholic education. Your prayers are powerful.
• Offer a Mass intention for Catholic schools.
• Join or start a prayer group focused on protecting Catholic education.

• What will you do today to protect Catholic education?
• Pick one small action. Do it today. Your voice, your choice, your faith— it all matters.

Transformative movements succeed by uniting hearts and minds. From preserving Catholic schools worldwide to grassroots advocacy in Alberta, these efforts have safeguarded Catholic identity and revitalized education as a spiritual and societal force. GrACE is committed to continuing this mission, rooted in the Gospel and strengthened by community.

Join GrACE in sharing stories, advocating boldly, and strengthening partnerships to ensure Catholic education remains a beacon of light for future generations. Together, we can build a lasting legacy of grace.

📩 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!

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.

One of the most well-known prayers attributed to St. Patrick, St. Patrick’s Breastplate is a powerful invocation of divine protection, strength, and faith. Rooted in his trust in God’s presence, this prayer calls upon Christ to shield, guide, and sustain us in all aspects of life.

A Spiritual Armor for Faith

Often referred to as a lorica (Latin for "breastplate" or "armor"), this prayer embodies the Catholic mission—entrusting ourselves to God while boldly proclaiming His truth.

Key Themes

• Christ as Our Strength – Calling upon Christ to be before, behind, within, and around us.
• The Trinity’s Power – Like the shamrock, it invokes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, reinforcing the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
• Spiritual Armor – A prayer of protection against evil, seeking God’s guidance in every step of life.

A Prayer for Catholic Education

Just as St. Patrick trusted in Christ’s strength, Catholic education forms students not just in knowledge, but in faith. His prayer reminds us to entrust young hearts and minds to Christ’s guidance and protection.

Excerpt from St. Patrick’s Breastplate

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise..."

As we celebrate St. Patrick, may his prayer strengthen our faith and embolden our mission in Catholic education.

Together in Faith, Forward in Action!

📅 October 24, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 📍 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, Alberta