March 2025 Message
March is another busy month at Edmonton Catholic Schools. Once again, it’s my pleasure to share just a few of the many examples of truth, beauty, and goodness being experienced within our amazing Christ-centered community.
TRUTH. Families will have two opportunities in March to engage in meaningful conversations about Catholic education: First, parents and guardians can meet with teachers during their school’s Demonstration of Learning. We highly recommend these meetings, since a strong home-school partnership is vital for student success. Second, as was mentioned in last month’s message, parents and guardians can attend the Community of School Councils Evening on March 11th. Registration for this event, which is hosted by the Board of Trustees, closes on March 3rd at noon. Click here for more information and to register.
BEAUTY. Edmonton Catholic Schools emphasizes “all that is beautiful” by ensuring our schools and chapels energize and inspire. We are pleased so many families are choosing Catholic education, however, with a growing student population comes the need for additional schools. Thankfully, our Trustees have advocated tirelessly on ECSD’s behalf, and we were thrilled to receive word on February 15th that the Government of Alberta funded our plans to construct two beautiful new schools. Click here for more information.
GOODNESS. Catholic education builds a foundation of faith from which goodness abounds in our students. The bedrock of this faith is the cross, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – which we celebrate during Lent. Our schools begin their Lenten journeys with Ash Wednesday Liturgies on March 5th, and this journey will continue until Holy Thursday on April 17th with activities such as prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.
One very special activity held during Lent this year is our annual Father Michael “Catfish” Mireau Youth Faith Day, which is attended by grade 8 students. Named in honour of our beloved ECSD chaplain – who bravely shared his battle with terminal cancer as a message of hope – the theme for the event is “God is Love”, which was Father Mike’s motto. At this year’s event students will be inspired by Jesse Manibusan, the internationally renowned singer, songwriter, humorist, and catechist.
As the Catholic Church continues to celebrate Jubilee 2025, we will acknowledge many days of recognition throughout the year. March 8th and 9th recognizes the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering, when we formally celebrate those who volunteer for the benefit of others.
ECSD is grateful for those who generously donate their time and talents to support our students. There are numerous ways to volunteer in our schools – such as buddy readers, field trip supervisors, classroom helpers, and hot lunch servers – and should you choose to help in some way, please know that you are making a difference!
Sincerely,
Lynnette Anderson
Chief Superintendent
- To see our upcoming Division events, visit ecsd.net/calendar.
- Read Lent: A Time of Renewal and Transformation written by Sandra Talarico, Manager ECSD Religious Services