Save the Date!
GrACE Youth Summit | October 24, 2025
Together in Faith, Forward in Action!
📅 October 24, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 📍 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, Alberta
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Latest update: May 21, 2025
Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint for the GrACE Movement
Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint for the GrACE Movement
Beatified: October 10, 2020
Canonization Date: September 07, 2025
Carlo Acutis shows that holiness is possible for everyone, at any age. His inspiring story aligns deeply with GrACE's mission for Catholic education.
Why Carlo Matters to GrACE:
Why Carlo Matters to GrACE:
Deep Eucharistic devotion: He called the Eucharist "my highway to Heaven."
Passion for serving others, especially the poor.
Authentic and meaningful faith, encouraging others to live as "originals," not copies.
Effective use of technology to share the Gospel and inspire others.
Building stronger communities through faith-based education.
Carlo’s Message to Us:
Carlo’s Message to Us:
Students: Be courageous, use your unique gifts for Christ.
Educators: Inspire students beyond academics; form their hearts in holiness.
Families: Foster faith at home, creating a vibrant domestic Church.
“To always be close to Jesus, that is my life plan.”
– Carlo Acutis
Blessed St. Patrick, Pray for Us and Our Catholic Education Cause!
Blessed St. Patrick, Pray for Us and Our Catholic Education Cause!
Each March 17, the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day—not just as a tradition, but as a reminder of conversion and mission, the very heart of Catholic education. Once a captive, St. Patrick turned to God in suffering. His faith deepened, and after escaping, he answered God’s call to return to Ireland—not for revenge, but for redemption. Through his courage and unwavering belief, he brought the Gospel to a nation, transforming hearts and minds through faith and teaching.
The Shamrock: A Symbol of Faith and Unity
To explain the Holy Trinity, St. Patrick used the shamrock—three leaves, one plant. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct yet one, so too are home, school, and parish united in the cause of Catholic education. It is in this unity that we nurture faith, build strong foundations, and ensure Christ remains at the center of learning.
A Model for Catholic Education
Like St. Patrick, we are called to boldly share our faith, forming students who know, love, and serve Christ. His own conversion reminds us that Catholic education is not just about knowledge—it’s about transformation.
St. Patrick’s courage and creativity in sharing the faith are a model for us today. His mission was not just to teach about God but to bring people into a deeper relationship with Him—the same mission at the heart of Catholic education.
As we celebrate St. Patrick may we be inspired by his faith and fearless witness. Let us boldly champion Catholic education, ensuring that it remains a beacon of faith, wisdom, and truth for generations to come.
Let us take inspiration from St. Patrick’s faith and courage as we continue to advocate for and celebrate the gift of Catholic education throughout Alberta and beyond. May we be bold in our witness, steadfast in our mission, and unwavering in our love for Christ and His Church.
Let us take inspiration from St. Patrick’s faith and courage as we continue to advocate for and celebrate the gift of Catholic education throughout Alberta and beyond. May we be bold in our witness, steadfast in our mission, and unwavering in our love for Christ and His Church.
This year, GrACE invites you to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day through the power of prayer. Join us in praying his 9-day novena leading up to March 17th, offering it for the cause of Catholic education. Through this novena, we unite in prayer for the strengthening of our Catholic education movement, that it may continue to thrive and be a beacon of faith, truth, and excellence for generations to come. May St. Patrick's example remind us to boldly live our faith and share the message of Christ’s love with the world.
☘️ St. Patrick, pray for us! ☘️
St. Patrick’s Novena
St. Patrick’s Novena
This novena is traditionally prayed for nine days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, but it can also be prayed at any time to seek his intercession.
Day 1-9 Prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Patrick, apostle of Ireland, you brought the light of Christ to a people steeped in darkness. With unwavering faith, you fearlessly preached the Gospel and won countless souls for Christ. We ask for your powerful intercession as we journey in faith.
Pray for us, dear St. Patrick, that we may remain steadfast in our beliefs, courageous in our witness, and ever devoted to God’s call in our lives. Intercede for our Catholic schools in Alberta, for our students, teachers, leaders, and all who seek to deepen their faith. May our Catholic education system continue to flourish, bringing Christ’s light to the world.
As we pray this novena, may we be reminded of your tireless efforts to educate and spread the Catholic faith. Just as you nurtured the faith of a nation, we seek your prayers for GrACE’s mission to strengthen and sustain Catholic education in Alberta. May our schools remain places of truth, excellence, and faith-filled learning, forming young hearts and minds in Christ.
(Mention your personal intentions here.)
Through your prayers, may we always walk in God’s grace and be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.
St. Patrick, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Archbishop Richard Smith: A Legacy of Visionary Leadership in Catholic Education
Archbishop Richard Smith: A Legacy of Visionary Leadership in Catholic Education
With the announcement that Archbishop Richard Smith will transition from Archbishop of Edmonton to Archbishop of Vancouver, GrACE expresses profound gratitude for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to Catholic education. As Chair of GrACE’s Board, he has strengthened the foundation of faith-based learning, ensuring that Catholic education throughout Alberta and beyond remains a beacon of faith, excellence, and mission-driven purpose. His legacy will continue to inspire, guide, and shape future generations.
A Leader Rooted in Celtic Faith and Missionary Discipleship
A Leader Rooted in Celtic Faith and Missionary Discipleship
Archbishop Smith’s Celtic heritage is deeply interwoven with his leadership, faith, and service. Like St. Patrick, who illuminated Ireland with the Gospel, and St. Columba, who carried the faith to Scotland, he has been a torchbearer for Catholic education—ensuring that faith remains at the heart of learning.
He reflects the wisdom of St. Malachy, who renewed the Church, and the compassion of St. Brigid, whose life of service embodied Catholic teaching. For Archbishop Smith, Catholic education is not just about knowledge—it is about forming disciples, shaping hearts, and preparing students to live and proclaim the Gospel.
A Transformational Leader: The Fire of Wallace, the Strategy of Collins
A Transformational Leader: The Fire of Wallace, the Strategy of Collins
In his leadership of GrACE, Archbishop Smith has been both a courageous champion and a strategic visionary—a cross between a better-mannered William Wallace and a less temperamental Michael Collins.
Like Wallace, the legendary Scottish warrior, Archbishop Smith has been a fearless advocate, passionately defending Catholic education with boldness, vision, and unwavering faith. He has called on parents, teachers, clergy, and trustees to rise to the challenge of protecting and strengthening faith-based education.
Yet, like Collins, the brilliant Irish revolutionary, he has also led with strategy, diplomacy, and an acute understanding of the long game. He knows that true leadership is not just about rallying cries—it is about forging alliances, overcoming obstacles, and guiding a movement with both wisdom and conviction.
His meetings were always energizing and full of great craic, yet no one ever left without a renewed sense of mission—to do more, achieve more, and celebrate Catholic education with greater passion than ever before.
Thank you, Archbishop Smith. May God bless you on this new journey.
Thank you, Archbishop Smith. May God bless you on this new journey.
What's happening...
What's happening...
Guide our Priorities with this GrACE Survey 2025
Guide our Priorities with this GrACE Survey 2025
Through this survey, we want to gather valuable insights into the needs and priorities of our Local GrACE Committees. The information collected will be shared with the GrACE Board and Director to help guide the organization’s strategic direction.
Your participation is vital to the growth, focus, and success of GrACE, as we work together to advocate for fully publicly funded Catholic education. Thank you, in advance for participating in our Survey.
Here's the link: GrACE Survey 2025
GrACE Celebrates Our Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope
GrACE Celebrates Our Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope
A Renewed Vision for Catholic Education
A Renewed Vision for Catholic Education
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Schools (2025)
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Schools (2025)
The Catholic Bishops of British Columbia and Yukon wrote a very inspiring Pastoral Letter on Catholic Schools (2025)—a profound reflection on the role of Catholic education in today’s world.
Key Themes of the Letter
Mission & Evangelization – Catholic schools as vital centers of faith formation in a secular world.
Educating the Whole Person – Nurturing intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth.
Faith & Community – Building a culture of belonging, service, and shared purpose.
The Role of Families, Educators & Pastors – Strengthening partnerships to sustain and enrich Catholic education.
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GrACE Alberta
The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
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From Maintenance to Mission: You are the Movement
From Maintenance to Mission: You are the Movement
Catholic education does not sustain itself. It is not the responsibility of a select few—it is the responsibility of YOU.
The Sacred Triad of home, school, and parish is only as strong as the people who uphold it.
Policies, governance, and institutions cannot carry this mission alone—it requires each of us.
Join the movement. Be the movement.
Join the movement. Be the movement.
Check out how you can make a difference in our News & Views/Maintenance to Mission Tab.
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