Catholic Education Week: May 15-19, 2023
As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. Micah 4:5
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In this month of May, we celebrate Catholic Education Week in the province of Alberta. This occasion affords us the welcome opportunity to reflect on the crucial role Catholic schools play in educating our children and young people, by creating formative communities of love and care that witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Alberta’s Catholic schools are beacons of hope for families across the province seeking faith-based education for their children.
The provincial theme this year reminds us of the call to “walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever” (Micah 4:5). Catholic Education Week also provides a special opportunity to thank each one of you for your extraordinary service on behalf of Catholic education.
We offer our deep appreciation to the educators in our Catholic schools who stayed the course throughout these past difficult years with extraordinary commitment. To the teachers, administrators and support staff of our schools, please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Your tireless dedication on behalf of Alberta’s children and families has been holy work. As Scripture states, “Well done good and faithful servants”.
Parents, you have our prayers and our support. Raising a family is both a joy and challenge. Our increasingly secularized society makes your task even more demanding. We honour the role you exercise as your child’s first and most important teacher. When you choose Catholic education, you are making a choice to have your child in a community of learning where faith in God is permeated in all of the activities of the school every day.
To the community that surrounds Catholic education, – clergy, grandparents and parishes – we want to affirm your commitment to supporting and enriching Alberta’s Catholic schools as essential. Please continue to pray and advocate for this precious gift of publicly funded Catholic education.
We, the Bishops of Alberta and Northwest Territories, in unity with the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA), the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA) and Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE), invite you all to unite with us in the promotion and strengthening of Catholic Education, as we walk in the name of the Lord along the pathway of faith and hope.
Yours in Christ,
Catholic Bishops of Alberta and NWT
Most Reverend Richard W. Smith, Archbishop of Edmonton
Most Reverend William McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
Most Reverend Gary Franken, Bishop of St. Paul
Most Reverend Gerard Pettipas CSsR, Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
Most Reverend David Motiuk, Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Edmonton
Most Reverend Jon Hansen, CSsR, Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith