"In the new dignity which it has pleased the Holy See to confer upon us we propose continuing, in the measure of our strength, faithfully to work at the task entrusted to us: the evangelization of this country and the sanctification of our Catholic populations."

Most Reverend Émile Joseph Legal, OMI, February 1913

Legal’s words proved to be a pledge that would be carried on through the century by his successors. The Archdiocese and its parishes and missions have been blessed by the faithful service of thousands of clergy, religious, and lay people. As we enter our second century, we are being called to a “new evangelization,” in which we are entrusted with the task of finding new ways to proclaim the Good News and to share it with others.

We are challenged by changing demographics and changing parishes, by loved ones who have drifted away from the Church, by public attacks on Catholic values, by the spiritual hunger of our people.

But we also have much to celebrate. In 2004 the Archdiocese committed to the establishment of a permanent diaconate and today is served by 24 deacons. In 2011, a new certificate program in Catholic studies presented new opportunities for faith formation for lay people. In the fall of 2012, a dozen seminarians were studying for the Archdiocese of Edmonton.

Crucifix at Newman Theological College, 2012.Newman Theological College – Photograph by Daniel Borgata, courtesy of the artist, Gregory Furmanczyk.