November 2026
Our Faith and Our Service to Others
As the seasons change and we settle into the colder months, it is a fitting time to reflect on the many gifts in our lives, and especially the gift of Catholic education. ECSD is blessed to be able to guide our students towards God, who is the ultimate source of joy and happiness. These monthly messages give me an opportunity to share how we keep our students "Rooted in Joy" by integrating faith into all aspects of teaching and learning. I will focus on the Five Roots of Joy—Faith, Adventure, Service, Worship, and Discovery— by sharing examples of how we bring each root to life.
Faith. Catholic education is a shared partnership between the home, the parish, and the school, each playing a vital role in nurturing and strengthening the faith of our young people. Faith formation begins in the home, is nurtured in the parish, and is reinforced in the school. While each has a distinct role, it is in the connections that our partnership becomes especially powerful. Recently, I joined our Board of Trustees, Division leaders, principals, parish priests, and pastoral assistants in a dialogue with Archbishop Hero about strengthening the relationship between our schools and parishes. Together, we explored how we can better support one another in our respective roles and work in partnership to lead our students into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Adventure. For some students, adventure means exploring new possibilities in the skilled trades. Now in its second year, St. Eligius Catholic Collegiate offers high school students the opportunity to begin apprenticeship-level training while completing their education. Through hands-on learning, students earn high school credits while working toward apprenticeship certification in skilled trades pathways. From automotive service and cabinetmaking to hairstyling/barbering, pipe trades, and welding, students can discover their talents, explore new interests, and take confident steps toward a rewarding future.
Service. Throughout November and December, our schools and departments put Catholic Social Teaching into action by serving the vulnerable. Through fundraising for the Sign of Hope, the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation, and other charities, as well as collecting food, coats, socks, and warm clothing during Advent, students and staff discover the joy of caring for others.
Worship. November offers meaningful opportunities to nurture the root of worship through prayer, remembrance, and reflection. All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day invite us to reflect on the promise of God’s heavenly kingdom. Remembrance Day calls us to pray for peace and honour those who sacrificed for our freedom. Holodomor commemorations remind us to remember those who suffered, pray for all victims of injustice, and renew our commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life.
Discovery. Have you ever wondered why Catholics attend Mass, what the Eucharist is, or why we stand, kneel, and sing? The video series The Mass Revealed, available here, offers an engaging and accessible way to explore these questions. Created through a partnership between ECSD, the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, and St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools, the series deepens our understanding of the prayers, symbols, gestures, sacred spaces, and traditions of the Mass. Most importantly, it invites us to move beyond simply attending Mass to participating in it fully, consciously, and actively. I encourage the ECSD community to watch the videos, share what they learn, and approach the celebration of Mass with a deeper understanding and appreciation.
Catholic education is about more than what is taught in a religion class; it is about integrating faith into every aspect of teaching and learning. At Edmonton Catholic Schools, our mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. ECSD's Five Roots of Joy—Faith, Adventure, Service, Worship, and Discovery—provide a foundation for bringing this mission to life each day in our schools and communities.
Sincerely,
Lynnette Anderson
Chief Superintendent