“To fall in love with God is the greatest of romances, to seek him the greatest adventure, to find him the greatest human achievement." – St. Augustine

Dear GrACE Apostles,

As we enter this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are invited to embrace a sacred season of grace, transformation, and profound possibility. This Jubilee is more than a celebration—it is a divine call to reflect on God’s abundant blessings, renew our faith, and reimagine Catholic education as a radiant mission of love, truth, and hope.

At the GrACE October 2024 Summit, Archbishop Smith and Suzanne Kitt offered profound insights that challenge and inspire us to live out this mission with courage and conviction.

Archbishop Smith urged us to move boldly from "maintenance to mission," calling us to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel in every aspect of Catholic education. His words resonate deeply:

“Jesus cannot be too small. Mary cannot be too small. Our prayer cannot be too small.”

This profound statement challenges us to expand our faith, trust, and vision, ensuring that Christ is at the heart of all we do. Renewal begins with prayer and a courageous commitment to let Christ lead us forward.

Building on this foundation, Suzanne Kitt reminded us of the sacred privilege and responsibility we hold as Catholic educators and leaders. She emphasized that our work is about far more than teaching lessons—it is about forming disciples, shaping futures, and building Christ-centered communities.

Suzanne poignantly described the challenges of a "phone-based childhood" and the cultural forces that pull children away from their identity and faith. Her reflections reinforce Archbishop Smith’s vision, reminding us that Catholic education is not about maintaining the status quo but about igniting transformative change.

Renewal is both spiritual and practical. It calls us to reinvigorate Catholic education at its core, ensuring it shines as a beacon of hope, love, and truth for generations to come.

Imagine this vision in action:

• A school where students begin each day with prayerful devotion to Mary.
• Families gathering for Eucharistic adoration, united in faith and love.
• Classrooms where teachers openly share their personal faith journeys, inspiring young hearts to encounter Christ.

These moments are the seeds of renewal, transforming Catholic education into a living encounter with the Gospel. Renewal is not the task of educators alone—it is a mission shared by parents, parishes, alumni, and the broader Catholic community.

Together, we can ensure that Catholic education flourishes as a dynamic force of love and discipleship.

To the educators, parents, clergy, and trustees who have tirelessly supported Catholic education: thank you for your unwavering commitment to this mission. Your efforts inspire us all and lay the foundation for the renewal we are called to embrace in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

This sacred season invites us to dream boldly, act courageously, and trust deeply that our efforts will bear fruit. Inspired by Archbishop Smith and Suzanne Kitt, let us recommit to this shared mission, knowing that God’s grace will guide and sustain us every step of the way.

Blessings and much love.

'Jesus, I trust in You'!

Kate

Executive Director | GrACE

The Jubilee Year is a time of extraordinary grace, inviting us to reflect deeply on God’s blessings, renew our commitment, and embrace a transformative vision for Catholic education. This vision is not about preserving the status quo—it is about sparking meaningful change that revitalizes our mission, strengthens our communities, and draws us closer to Christ.

Renewal is both spiritual and practical. It calls us to reinvigorate Catholic education at its core, ensuring it shines as a beacon of hope, love, and truth for generations to come.

Archbishop Smith’s message at the Summit inspires this vision:

"Renewal requires us to expand our prayer, our trust, and our courage as disciples. We are called to bring the fullness of Christ into every aspect of Catholic education, transforming it into a living encounter with the Gospel."

In this sacred year, we are invited to renew our commitment to three essential pillars:

1. Faith as Our Foundation:
   In a world of uncertainty, Christ’s love is our unshakable anchor. Catholic schools provide students with stability, purpose, and hope, nurturing their minds and hearts in truth. As educators, parents, and leaders, we are called to embody this faith, offering young people a living example of Christ’s enduring love.
2. Renewal Through Community:
   True renewal begins with unity. When home, school, and parish come together as one, they create vibrant communities of belonging where students and families encounter God’s transformative love. Strengthening these partnerships ensures that Catholic education remains dynamic, welcoming, and deeply rooted in faith.
3. Mission as Our Focus:
   The Jubilee calls us to shift boldly from “maintenance to mission.” Catholic education must go beyond preserving tradition—it must ignite hearts with the Gospel, inspiring students and families to live as joyful disciples. Every lesson, prayer, and relationship becomes an opportunity to share Christ’s light and transform lives.

Hope is the guiding light of this Jubilee year. It is not simply a fleeting feeling but a steadfast confidence in God’s promises.

Hope propels us to:

• Pray Boldly: Trust in God’s limitless grace to renew our communities, transform lives, and sustain us in our mission.
• Dream Courageously: Reimagine Catholic education as a vibrant force for faith formation, leadership, and discipleship.
• Act Joyfully: Reflect the joy of the Gospel in every aspect of our work, inspiring others to join this mission of renewal and hope.

This Jubilee Year of Hope is a sacred opportunity to deepen our faith, strengthen our communities, and live the Gospel more boldly than ever before. I warmly invite each of you—educators, parents, clergy, trustees, and students—to embrace this sacred calling:

• For Educators: Share your faith with authenticity and passion, becoming living witnesses of the Gospel in your classrooms.
• For Parents: Make your home a sanctuary of prayer and faith, and engage actively with your child’s school and parish.
• For Clergy and Trustees: Champion initiatives that deepen faith formation, ensuring Catholic education remains centered on its mission to form disciples.

Together, we can ensure Catholic education shines as a radiant beacon of hope, love, and truth for generations to come.

As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope, GrACE stands with you, offering reflections, resources, and opportunities for partnership and cooperation. Renewal is not a path we walk alone—it is a shared mission where our collective efforts bring Christ’s light into every aspect of Catholic education.

May this Jubilee year be a time of profound renewal, vibrant community, and steadfast hope. May we deepen our trust in God’s providence, strengthen our faith-filled partnerships, and lead boldly in the mission of Catholic education. Together, let us create a future where every child encounters Christ, every family feels a sense of belonging, and every educator fulfills their sacred calling with renewed purpose and joy.

The GrACE October 2024 Summit brought together Catholic educators, clergy, parents, and stakeholders with a shared purpose: to reimagine Catholic education as a dynamic mission of evangelization. Under the theme “Home, School, and Parish – Moving from Maintenance to Mission,” the Summit called us to awaken Catholic education to its sacred mission of forming disciples and sharing the Gospel in transformative ways.

Catholic education must not merely preserve traditions; it must boldly proclaim the Gospel and form future generations to live as joyful witnesses of Christ. The GrACE Summit emphasized this urgent need, with Archbishop Smith reminding us of the transformative power of missionary discipleship and the unshakable foundation of faith. His words challenge us to expand our trust, deepen our prayer, and commit to a renewal of Catholic education centered on Christ.

Teachers are the heart of Catholic education. Their personal faith journeys profoundly shape the lives of their students, making authentic faith-sharing essential to renewing Catholic education.

To empower teachers as witnesses of faith:

• Deepen Faith Formation: Provide retreats, workshops, and resources to strengthen their relationship with Christ.
• Create Testimony Opportunities: Encourage teachers to share their faith stories using prompts like, “How has Jesus shaped my life?”
• Mentorship for Growth: Pair teachers with spiritual mentors to guide and inspire their faith journeys.

When teachers live their faith boldly, they model the joy and transformative power of the Gospel for their students.

Catholic education thrives when home, school, and parish work together as one community of faith. This triad is essential to forming disciples and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

To strengthen this partnership:

• Foster Open Dialogue: Hold regular discussions with parents, students, and parish leaders to understand their needs and goals.
• Host Family Faith Events: Create opportunities for families to grow in faith together through activities like Eucharistic adoration, Marian consecrations, or parish retreats.
• Unify Leadership: Align the vision and priorities of schools, families, and parishes through collaborative planning and communication.

When these pillars are united, Catholic education becomes a powerful force for evangelization and renewal.

To fulfill the Gospel mission, Catholic education must shift boldly from routine preservation to vibrant, Christ-centered discipleship.

• Reevaluate Practices: Examine and replace outdated traditions with practices that actively proclaim the Gospel.
• Prioritize Formation: Ensure that worship, witness, and service are central to every aspect of education, aligning with diocesan priorities.
• Embrace Renewal: Reimagine school culture and governance to center on missionary discipleship, creating communities of faith and encounter.

This shift calls us to be courageous and creative in proclaiming Christ in our schools, homes, and parishes.

At the heart of this renewal lies prayer—bold, expansive, and rooted in trust in God’s grace. Archbishop Smith reminded us: “Jesus cannot be too small. Mary cannot be too small. Our prayer cannot be too small.”

To make prayer a transformative force in Catholic education:

• Foster Marian Devotion: Encourage schools to consecrate themselves to Mary, integrating her guidance into daily life as a pathway to Jesus.
• Pray for Renewal: Unite staff, students, and families in intentional prayer for God’s transformative power to renew Catholic education.
• Demonstrate Bold Faith: Lead by example, showing how faith can overcome limitations and achieve extraordinary outcomes through God’s grace.

Prayer is not only the foundation of renewal—it is its driving force.

Archbishop Smith challenges us to build a Catholic education system that invites every student, teacher, and family to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ. This vision demands:

• Authentic Witness: Teachers and leaders who live their faith boldly, inspiring students to encounter Christ.
• Strong Partnerships: Unified efforts between home, school, and parish to foster faith, belonging, and community.
• Unwavering Mission: A commitment to shifting from maintenance to mission, ensuring Catholic education remains a vibrant force for evangelization.

The mission of Catholic education is not static—it is a living, dynamic call to share Christ’s love with the world. As we move forward, let us take up this mission with courage, faith, and trust in God’s providence. Together, as one faith-filled community, we can ensure that Catholic education thrives as a beacon of hope, truth, and love for generations to come.

St. Teresa of Avila warned that our prayers are often too small, limited by our finite imaginations. Archbishop Smith echoed this sentiment, urging us to transcend those limitations. Christ desires a fully transformed Church, a fully transformed world, and within that vision, a fully transformed Catholic educational system. He can achieve it—far beyond anything we could ever conceive. But it begins with us.

How do we bring ourselves and our children together in faith, with hearts open to the extraordinary? How do we pray with boldness and say, “Jesus, now is the time for You to do what we cannot. Transform us. Lead us beyond our imagination to places only You can take us”?

This vision aligns with the Gospel mission of bringing children to know, love, and follow Christ. It demands that we reject smallness—in our faith, our prayer, and our expectations—and embrace the infinite possibilities of God’s grace.

Archbishop Smith’s call to “make Mary bigger” finds its answer in initiatives like Project Guadalupe 2031, which challenges us to align our prayers with God’s infinite power and Mary’s guiding hand. By consecrating our families to her and enthroning her image in our homes, we proclaim our readiness for Christ’s transformative work. This bold act of faith invites us to say with unwavering trust:

“Jesus, now is the time. Transform us, transform our schools, transform our world. Lead us to the unimaginable possibilities of Your grace.”

In the mission of Catholic education, there are no coincidences—only the guiding hand of divine providence. At this pivotal moment, Archbishop Smith has been entrusted with an exact replica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the New Evangelization.

Now residing in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, this sacred image arrived as the Archdiocese launched new pastoral priorities focused on Eucharistic worship, Gospel witness, and strengthening marriage and family life. These priorities echo the very heart of Catholic education, which seeks to form young minds and hearts in faith, truth, and love.

Archbishop Smith describes Mary as the first missionary disciple, who carried Jesus to Elizabeth in a profound “Eucharistic procession.” Just as Mary brought Christ to her cousin, Catholic educators, leaders, and parents are called to carry Him into schools, homes, and communities. This sacred mission of forming disciples who will joyfully share the Gospel is both a privilege and a responsibility entrusted to us all.

Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to guide and protect this mission, reminding us that prayer is not passive but transformative—a powerful force that shapes hearts, families, and institutions. Her tender words to St. Juan Diego—promising to console, protect, and intercede for her children—remain a source of hope and strength today. With renewed trust, we turn to her, asking for her maternal intercession in the cause of Catholic education.

As Archbishop Smith reminds us, quoting Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger: “It has always been the Mother who reached people in a missionary situation and made Christ accessible to them.” Following Mary’s example, we are called to be missionary disciples, making Christ present to the students, families, and communities we serve.

The presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Edmonton is a powerful symbol of hope and renewal.

In Catholic education, this evangelizing spirit inspires students, families, and educators to live as missionary disciples. Guided by Our Lady, we are called to boldly proclaim the Gospel, ensuring that faith remains vibrant and transformative for future generations.

Let us Pray:

Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us continue to nurture Catholic education as a beacon of light in our communities. As we place our trust in Mary’s guidance, we proclaim Christ’s love and truth with bold faith. Together, we safeguard the mission of Catholic education, bringing Christ to all and building a legacy of grace.

The presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alberta is a powerful symbol of renewal and hope. Her image will journey to parish communities during Deanery Days, uniting the faithful and strengthening evangelization efforts across the Edmonton Archdiocese.

“At the heart of our pastoral priorities is evangelization, and we place our lives under her protection,” Archbishop Smith explains.

This same spirit of evangelization calls Catholic educators to live as missionary disciples, boldly proclaiming the Gospel and ensuring that faith remains vibrant and transformative for future generations. Guided by Our Lady, Catholic education becomes a radiant force for truth, love, and grace in an ever-changing world.

In the months ahead, GrACE will continue to build on further insights and actions shared at the GrACE October 2024 Summit. We will explore your invaluable feedback and reflect further on the wisdom of leaders such as Archbishop Smith, Suzanne Kitt, Dr. Caroline Maillet-Rao, and Dr. Bryan Szumlas. Their reflections at the Summit offer a powerful vision for Catholic education, and their insights will guide us as we deepen our shared mission to renew and reimagine its future.

This ongoing work will develop actionable strategies and initiatives inspired by the Summit’s themes, empowering educators, engaging families, and strengthening schools as centers of faith and discipleship. At the heart of this mission is our commitment to ensuring that publicly funded Catholic education remains true to our faith and teachings, standing as a beacon of hope and transforming hearts, families, and communities for generations to come.

Your continued dedication as educators, parents, clergy, and students remains the cornerstone of this renewal. Together, we will ensure Catholic education thrives as a vibrant mission of evangelization, where every student encounters Christ and is inspired to live as a joyful disciple.

With God’s grace and the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we look to a future where Catholic education continues to shine brightly, rooted in faith and unwavering in its commitment to truth and love.

GrACE is delighted and excited to deliver a session for ACSTA's Catholic Ed Talks series, titled “From Maintenance to Mission: Strengthening the Sacred Triad.” Building on the powerful discussions from the GrACE October 2024 Summit, this session explores the vital shift from maintaining the status quo to embracing a mission-focused approach in Catholic education. Together, we will delve into actionable ways to strengthen the Sacred Triad of home, school, and parish, ensuring Catholic education remains a vibrant and transformative force for generations to come.

Why This Session Matters

This session reflects the shared responsibility of educators, families, parish leaders, and advocates to advance Catholic education. Inspired by themes from the GrACE Summit, it emphasizes partnership, Gospel witness, and renewal as the foundation for boldly moving into the future.

Special Guest: Michael Hauptman

GrACE is thrilled to co-host Michael Hauptman, a renowned advocate for Catholic education. His insights and expertise will enrich the dialogue as we celebrate our unified commitment to preserving and promoting the mission of Catholic education across Alberta and beyond.

What to Expect

• Inspiration & Insight:
  Discover how the united efforts of GrACE, CCSSA, and ACSTA are shaping a mission-oriented future for Catholic education, rooted in faith, values, and excellence.
• A Unified Vision:
  Explore how strengthening the Sacred Triad of home, school, and parish ensures Catholic education remains a vibrant gift that forms disciples and transforms communities.
• Community Connection:
  Engage in an inspiring dialogue that reaffirms our shared mission to nurture faith, foster academic excellence, and build resilient, Gospel-centered communities.

Be Part of the Movement

Let’s build on the momentum of the Summit and continue moving boldly from maintenance to mission. Together, we celebrate and strengthen the Sacred Triad that makes Catholic education a beacon of faith, learning, and community.

Catholic education is a transformative gift that shapes hearts, minds, and communities with faith and purpose. Rooted in the teachings of the Church, Catholic schools, colleges, and universities inspire excellence and guide students toward lives of service and discipleship.

Let’s honour the stories, successes, and dedication of educators and staff who make this mission possible, celebrating a legacy of faith and a future of hope.

Be part of the movement to honor and support Catholic education! Together, let’s celebrate the incredible contributions of Catholic schools to our communities. Share your stories, photos, and successes—tag GrACE so we can amplify your voices and showcase the transformative power of faith-based education.

Your advocacy makes a difference. Let’s inspire others and strengthen the legacy of Catholic education for future generations!

Stay Connected:
🌐 Website: www.gracealberta.org
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/GrACE4cathed
✉️ Email: gracedirector7@gmail.com
🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @GrACE4cathed
📸 Instagram: @grace4catholiceducation

Together, we celebrate. Together, we advocate. 💙

• Sign up to receive GrACE’s monthly newsletter.
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• Tell your positive stories and benefits from your Catholic school(s) and Catholic education.
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• Champion the benefits of Catholic education and its broader implications for the spiritual, intellectual, and social development of individuals and society as a whole.
• Be active in the GrACE movement.
• Post your pictures and tag us so we can share them and celebrate too.

Student volunteers are warmly invited to represent their School in GrACE’s

social media campaign, new outreach, and database development.

How we can we better utilize technology platforms to ensure timely and effective communication within the wider Catholic education family and beyond? Your ideas will be gratefully received.

Please email gracedirector7@gmail.com to express interest and suggestions.

• 'Instruction of the Congregation for Catholic Education, ‘The identity of the Catholic school for a culture of dialogue, from the Vatican, 2022
• Growing in Faith Symposium — 5 Marks of Catholic Education
• CCSSA Catholic Leadership Quality Standards
• 5 Marks of an Excellent Catholic Leader
• The Excellent Catholic Teacher
• Calgary Catholic Schools
• Redeemer Revelations

Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast with Archbishop Richard Smith that seeks to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith.