Catholic Education Week

We are pleased to celebrate Catholic Education Week on October 19 - 25, 2024.

On Thursday, October 24, we will be wearing blue to show our support for Catholic Education

“Testify! Share the Reason for your Hope!” - 1 Peter 3:15

Archbishop Smith’s Catholic Education Week Video Message

Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories

Catholic Education Week: October 21 - 25, 2024

“Testify! Share the Reason for your Hope!"

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Among the many beautiful gifts flowing to us from the font of God’s providential love is that of our Catholic schools. At their centre stands the person of Jesus Christ, who seeks a personal and life- transforming encounter with each of the students. From our knowledge and love of Christ arises an unshakeable hope that fills us with peace and joy.

In his first letter, Saint Peter teaches us always to be ready to share with others the reason for our hope (cf. 1Peter 3:15). The urgency of this call is underscored in our day by the widespread anxiety and, at times, despair seizing the hearts of many people, including some of our students and their families. For this reason, the Catholic educational community of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon has chosen as the theme of Catholic Education Week: “Testify! Share the Reason for your Hope”. Let us all be ready and eager to give an account of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

There are many opportunities to share this hope. We learn how to do so in the home, first of all. How beautiful it is when parents share with their children the story of their relationship with Jesus and the hope they have drawn from his love! Our participation in the life of the parish is another privileged venue where we become ever more deeply grounded in the love of our Lord and the hope he alone can give. In Catholic Education Week, we give particular attention to our schools as places where hope in Christ is not only fostered but also shared. In these Catholic institutions, students and staff alike are called to have a clear understanding of our faith and articulate it before others. So, let us ask: How might we share with one another the hope that springs from our relationship with Jesus Christ and fidelity to his Gospel? What opportunities can we create for
these discussions – in the classroom, the staff room, the administration offices, or the trustee boardroom?

Of course, our readiness to explain our faith is about not only intellectual knowledge but also living it out authentically. When our words and actions align with Christ's teachings of love, compassion, and grace, the credibility of our testimony is strengthened. How can we help one another grow as authentic witnesses to the Lord?

With this letter, we, the Bishops of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon, wish to thank everyone involved in the ministry and mission of Catholic Education: our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, trustees, parents, and parish priests. We are grateful for the many ways you accept the call to lead our students to Jesus and help them embrace the hope he alone can give.

Together, let us joyfully share with others, in both word and deed, the joy we have found in Jesus Christ, who is the all-sufficient reason for the hope that animates our lives.

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, Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
Most Reverend David Motiuk, Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Edmonton
Most Reverend Jon Hansen, Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith
Most Reverend Héctor Vila, Bishop of Whitehorse

Click here for a PDF copy of the letter in English.

Cliquez ici pour une copie PDF de la lettre en français.

World Catholic Education Day

Every year, 40 days after Easter on Ascension Thursday, Catholics across the globe give thanks for the gift that is Catholic education through the celebration of World Catholic Education Day.

Catholic education has served nations for centuries through teaching students in their faith. Throughout Canada, provinces, territories, and dioceses dedicate special days or weeks to celebrate Catholic education. In keeping with these celebrations, World Catholic Education Day is a time for Catholics around the world to take a moment to pause, reflect and pray on the gift that is Catholic education.

This year World Catholic Education Day will be on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

We are wearing blue!

Everyone is encouraged to wear blue in support of Catholic education on World Catholic Education Day on Thursday, May 29, 2025 and post a photo on social media using #BlueForCatholicEd and #IBelieveInCatholicEd.

Blue signifies constancy, fidelity, genuineness and aspiration and is especially associated with the Blessed Virgin. This is very appropriate as we celebrate Mary during the month of May.