“Anchored in Christ, Beacon of Hope”
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
From the heart of God’s loving providence flows the great gift of Catholic education—a gift
entrusted to the Church and cherished across our communities in Alberta, the Northwest
Territories, and the Yukon. At the very center of this gift stands the person of Jesus Christ, our
hope and our anchor, who draws near to each student, calling them into a personal and transforming relationship with Himself.
Read: Alberta Bishops’ letter for Catholic Education Week May 9-16
Lisez: la lettre des évêques de l’Alberta pour la Semaine de l’éducation catholique 9-15 mai
The passage from the Letter to the Hebrews invites us to anchor our lives in Christ, who alone
offers a hope that is “sure and steadfast”—a hope that reaches beyond our limitations and draws
us into the very presence of God. This year’s Catholic Education Week theme, “Anchored in
Christ, Beacon of Hope,” reflects the vocation of Catholic schools to be places where students not
only encounter this hope but are formed to share it as radiant witnesses in the world.
Hope in Christ takes root in the home, where children first learn the Faith through the witness of
their parents. It is nurtured in the life of the parish, where families gather around the altar and are
sustained by Word and Sacrament. And it is cultivated in Catholic schools, where educators,
clergy, trustees, and families form a sacred partnership in shaping minds and hearts in the truth
and love of Christ.In these times of uncertainty and rapid cultural change, our young people need more than optimism—they need hope founded in Christ. Catholic education offers more than academic excellence; it offers formation in discipleship. In every classroom, library, playground, and staff room, we are called to bear witness to Christ, to teach as He taught, and to lead others to the deep peace that only He can give.
We, the Catholic Bishops of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon, offer our prayers
and profound thanks to all who serve the mission of Catholic education: students, parents, teachers,
educational assistants, support staff, school leaders, trustees, and parish clergy. Your fidelity,
courage, and love make it possible for our schools to remain steadfast in identity and luminous in
hope.
Let us go forward together, anchored in Christ and radiant with hope. May our words and actions
always reflect the faith we profess, and may our schools continue to be places where Christ is
known, loved, and proclaimed with joy.
Yours in Christ,
Catholic Bishops of Alberta, Northwest Territories and Yukon
