Local GrACE Committee Survey:

Catholic education isn’t just about academics—it’s about forming the whole person in faith, community, and purpose. At the heart of this mission is the Local GrACE Committees Survey and Mapping Exercise, an inclusive effort to strengthen the future of Catholic education by empowering every voice and perspective.

This journey begins with prayer, as we seek God’s guidance in strengthening Catholic education for future generations. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and inspire our collective efforts to sustain and grow this vital ministry.

Since its inception, GrACE has united communities, celebrated the sacred triad of home, school, and parish, and inspired advocacy for Catholic education. This survey represents the next step in that journey, empowering local voices to guide and shape our shared mission.

The Survey and Mapping Exercise is more than just a tool—it’s a cooperative process that celebrates the diversity and vitality of Catholic education across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. By inviting every Local GrACE Committee and school district region to participate, this initiative ensures that Catholic education remains dynamic, inclusive, and mission-focused.

Our Goals Through This Exercise:

1. Create a Platform for Contribution
   Provide an open-ended, inclusive space where committees, school districts, and parishes can share their unique experiences and insights.
2. Highlight Local Strengths and Challenges
   Reflect the distinct opportunities and hurdles faced by individual communities.
3. Align Mission and Local Aspirations
   Build a unified roadmap that integrates the collective mission of Catholic education with the specific priorities of local stakeholders.

GrACE Local Committees form the essential connection between the three pillars of Catholic education: home, school, and parish. These committees offer vital, grassroots insights into the needs of their communities, fostering active participation and ensuring harmony among these pillars. By shifting the focus from maintenance to mission, GrACE Committees drive Catholic education toward growth and purpose.

Together, we can reimagine Catholic education—not as a system to sustain, but as a movement to champion. Rooted in faith and guided by prayer, this collective effort has the power to inspire and transform.

This survey is designed as an open-ended platform to ensure that every Local GrACE Committee, school district region, and parish has the opportunity to share their unique insights and perspectives. The flexibility of this survey allows communities to contribute at their own pace, ensuring that no voice is left unheard.

Whether your committee is well-established or just beginning, your input is vital to shaping a future where Catholic education thrives. Every experience and perspective adds value to this collective effort to sustain and grow Catholic education for generations to come.

Imagine a future where every Local GrACE Committee thrives as a bridge connecting families, schools, and parishes in a shared mission of faith. Picture communities where Catholic education is celebrated and actively supported, with students empowered to live their faith boldly and share it with others. Envision a united network of GrACE Committees that reflects the diversity and strength of our Church, working together to sustain and grow Catholic education.

By participating in the Survey and Mapping Exercise, we take an essential step toward this vision. Your insights and contributions will:

• Strengthen Local GrACE Committees by identifying resources and support needs.
• Ensure representation and inclusion for all school district regions.
• Create a clear roadmap to align GrACE’s mission with local and regional priorities.
• Empower communities to take ownership of the movement from maintenance to mission.

This survey is not just about today—it’s about securing a vibrant future for Catholic education. The insights gathered will guide strategic decisions, help allocate resources effectively, and empower Local GrACE Committees to flourish as vital components of the Catholic education movement.

For decades, Catholic education has focused on maintaining its structures and systems, assuming that their inherent value would naturally ensure their longevity. The Survey and Mapping Exercise seeks to address this approach by shifting the focus from maintenance to mission, ensuring that the future of Catholic education is dynamic, adaptable, and purpose-driven.

How the Survey Will Support This Shift

• Purposeful Listening: Giving every Local GrACE Committee and school district region the opportunity to share their unique experiences, challenges, and successes.
• Tailored Support: Identifying specific needs and providing actionable solutions to help Local GrACE Committees thrive.
• Strategic Alignment: Building a cohesive and unified network of GrACE Committees that works toward shared goals while respecting local diversity.

Prayer is the foundation of all we do. It connects us to God’s guidance, inspires unity, and strengthens our mission. As we embark on the Survey and Mapping Exercise, we do so in a spirit of prayer, asking the Lord to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions.

In every parish, school, and home, prayer is a unifying force that fosters faith and hope. GrACE encourages every participant in this initiative to begin and end their contributions with prayer, seeking God’s blessing for Catholic education now and in the future.

• Strengthen Local Connections: Help build stronger relationships between home, school, and parish.
• Shape Strategic Goals: Provide input that will guide GrACE’s future initiatives.
• Celebrate Successes: Share what’s working in your community to inspire others.
• Empower Advocacy: Equip the next generation with tools and confidence to champion Catholic education.

1. Complete the Survey: Share your insights to help shape the future of Catholic education.
2. Host Listening Sessions: Use the survey as a framework for discussions in your parish, school, or community.
3. Organize Community Events: Plan parish-school family nights, prayer gatherings, or service projects.
4. Support Educators and Staff: Launch appreciation initiatives or encourage professional development opportunities.
5. Empower Youth Advocacy: Form student-led groups and challenge youth to lead faith-based projects.
6. Connect with GrACE Online:
• Follow GrACE on Social Media:
• Facebook
• Twitter (X)
• Instagram
• Engage with GrACE: Share your pictures, stories, and events, tagging @GrACE4cathed to inspire others.
7. Champion Catholic Education: Use the GrACE Advocacy Template to promote Catholic education.
8. Volunteer Your Time: Join your Local GrACE Committee, offer support at your child’s school, or assist with parish events.

No matter the size of your community or the challenges you face, your voice is essential. This survey is your opportunity to ensure your unique perspective contributes to the future of Catholic education.

• Complete the Survey: Your input will guide the future of Catholic education. This open-ended exercise ensures that every voice is heard.
• Host Listening Sessions: Use the survey as a framework for discussions in your parish, school, or community.
• Pray for Catholic Education: Offer prayers for this initiative, asking God to guide and bless the mission of Catholic education.

Lord, as we come together to strengthen the foundation of Catholic education, guide our hearts and minds. May we listen with compassion, share with courage, and act with faith. Bless the sacred triad of home, school, and parish, and inspire unity and hope in all we do. Through the power of prayer, may we find the strength to sustain and grow Catholic education as a beacon of faith and love for generations to come. Amen.

Together, we can transform Catholic education from a system we sustain to a movement we champion—bringing new energy, purpose, and growth to this vital ministry.