Superintendent's Message
May , 2013

Message from Father Mike Mireau

The month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary, the District’s patron saint, as it is considered the month of the beginning of new life.  What a wonderful time to celebrate the woman who brought life into the world!  It was Mary’s “yes” to God that forever changed the world. Her acceptance of God’s will opened the door to hope: hope for peace, hope for salvation, and hope for eternal life.

Have you been reading our good news stories on our Connect. Inform. Engage! messages found on the ECSD website, Facebook, and Twitter sites?  Our District has so much to give thanks for as we reflect on our 125 years of delivering Catholic education to our students and families.  We invite you to connect to our website, www.ecsd.net to be informed and then share your relationship with our District by engaging in conversation.

Through our 21st Century Transform journey we are continually changing our learning environments so students can learn and be prepared to live in a diverse and connected world.  This change in pedagogy reflects the growing emphasis on how students learn rather than only on what they learn.  Please connect with your child’s school to see how they are transforming Catholic education!

On Wednesday, May 1st the Archdiocese will conclude the five year Nothing More Beautiful journey with a Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph’s Basilica beginning at 7:00 p.m.   This joyous occasion, on the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of the Archdiocese, will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Edmonton and the 50th anniversary of the dedication of St. Joseph Basilica. The evening will conclude with a reception in the hall.

The Archdiocesan Holy Childhood Association Mission Day Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Church on Wednesday May 1st beginning at 11:00 a.m.   This association helps to foster children’s awareness of the Church’s missionary call and to support children in other countries through prayer and financial aid.  Several of our schools will be attending this meaningful celebration.

Inspiring Education: Building Connections and Celebrating Relationships is the theme for this year’s Education week from May 6 to 10th.  We invite you to participate in activities at your child’s school and throughout the District to celebrate education and how important it is in building our society.  

Every year, 40 days after Easter on Ascension Thursday, Catholic education is celebrated globally through the observance of World Catholic Education Day.   This year on Thursday, May 9th, let us pause, reflect, and give thanks for the gift of Catholic education and the opportunity that we have to proclaim God’s word though our teaching and learning. Thank you to all those involved in Catholic education in our District!

The 32nd Annual Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow will be held on Saturday, May 11th starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre located at 11000 Stadium Road.  The theme for this years’ event is Honouring our Mothers “Heartbeat of all Nations” and is jointly sponsored by Edmonton Catholic Schools and Aboriginal Learning Services in partnership with the City of Edmonton.  For more information, please contact Rhonda Metallic at 780 944-2000 ext. 320.  We invite you to join us!
 
All Edmonton Catholic Schools’ staff will be participating in a Faith Formation afternoon on Thursday, May 23rd.  ‘Grace for the Heart and Soul’ is an opportunity for staff to deepen their faith and foster their relationship with God through prayer, reflection, service or active living.

Good luck to our grade 3, 6, and 9 students as they complete one part of their language arts Provincial Achievement Exams in May.

Our District Budget is being prepared and will be brought forward to a Public Board meeting on May 28th at 4:00 PM.  Once approved, our Three-Year Capital Plan for 2014 – 2017 will be posted on the website as well.

This month, as we celebrate and give thanks for the gift of our mothers, let us remember how our mothers have nurtured and prepared us for our life journey.  We are truly grateful to these women who bring love, joy, happiness and caring into the world. May God bless each of our mothers every day!

Sincerely,

Joan Carr Superintendent