2020 Catholic Education Week, a Message from Board Chair Kelly Whalen
Posted: May 19, 2020
This week is Catholic Education Week! Across Alberta, Catholic school divisions together with their school communities are celebrating the gift of publicly-funded Catholic education. This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is United in Prayer and Grateful for Catholic Schools, as the Archbishops of Alberta and NWT have outlined in their pastoral letter. In their letter, the Archbishops refer to Pope Francis’ Easter message where he said “This is not a time for indifference because the whole world is suffering and needs to be united in facing the pandemic. … It is more urgent than ever that all recognize themselves as part of a single family and support one another.” The Archbishops urge us all to unite as one “educational family” confident and committed to Catholic Education.
Many exciting things are happening this week to celebrate!
#BlueforCatholicEd Contest
To show your support for publicly-funded Catholic education wear blue on World Catholic Education Day Thursday, May 21st! For your chance to win a $50 gift card to the local business of your choice, there are two ways to enter. First, you can tag our school division or your local school on social media and using the hashtag #BlueforCatholicEd. Please note that social media posts must be made public in order to be included. Second, you can send your photo to the HFCRD Facebook page or your local school’s Facebook page or email hfcrd@hfcrd.ab.ca. The deadline to enter is Friday May 22nd at 5:00pm. There will be prizes given to students, their families, and staff!
Live Prayers with Archbishops
This week we are joining Catholics across the province in prayer. First, Archbishops in Alberta are hosting live prayers and masses at 9:00am each morning. Here is the schedule:
May 19 Bishop McGrattan, Diocese of Calgary
Holy Rosary Link: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/catholiceducation.html
May 20 Archbishop Pettipas, Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan
Divine Mercy Link:https://www.facebook.com/ArchGrouardMcLennan/
May 21 Archbishop Smith, Archdiocese of Edmonton
Holy Mass Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tC_wH7VieU&feature=youtu.be
May 22 Bishop McGrattan, Diocese of Calgary
Special Liturgy & Blessing Link: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/catholiceducation.html
Videos About the 5 Marks of a Catholic School
GrACE (Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education), together with Catholic school divisions, has created five videos about the five marks of a Catholic school. Videos will be released daily this week, and make sure you watch the video released today about Mark 2 Catholic Worldview as you may see some familiar faces!
On behalf of the HFCRD Board of Trustees, I wish you a wonderful Catholic Education Week. We are truly blessed to have the gift of publicly-funded Catholic education and this week let’s celebrate!
God bless!
Kelly Whalen
Board Chair
