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Faith Days 2024-2025
by Shannon Cook, Chair, CCSD Board of Trustees
Calgary Catholic staff and trustees celebrated District Faith Day for the 2024-2025 school year on November 1, which is All Saints Day in the Catholic Church. Faith Days are a long-standing tradition at the district. This annual tradition provides opportunities to unite as a community to celebrate our faith and the gift of Catholic education, as well as to find renewed inspiration.
Faith Theme
We are in the second year of our two-year faith theme; “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15), with the focus for this school year being on celebrating and appreciating the gift of Jesus. We recognize that all of us struggle and that we need the love of Jesus to transform us and our world. The love we receive should compel us to share that gift of Jesus with those around us. Our theme allows us to continue exploring how our school and work communities can be communities of caring, love, and service, united with the universal Church. As the next year of Jubilee comes to us, we are inspired to be Pilgrims of Hope in our community, our schools, and our homes.
Faith Days Format
Six of our largest parishes hosted in-person sessions for all staff, with trustees also participating. Each location had the opportunity to celebrate Mass, participate in fellowship, listen to a keynote speaker, and to share in testimonies of faith from colleagues. Afterwards, staff returned to their individual schools and work sites for additional activities, including recognizing those colleagues who are celebrating long service milestones. The second Faith Day, scheduled for March 31, 2025, is a site-based Faith Day. It is an opportunity designed to allow staff to pause for greater reflection and conversation, and to engage in acts of service to each other and our community.
Parent and Trustee Forums
Thank you to all those who joined us for this year’s first Parent and Trustee Forum on September 26. The presentation and the Q&A document are available on our website at cssd.ab.ca/school-council. Mark your calendars for our next Parent & Trustee Forum on Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of the Rockies High School. We are excited to have Elizabeth Bennett as our guest speaker to talk about youth mental health, bullying, and connecting with your child. She is an award-winning, retired CCSD principal with over 35 years of experience in education, coaching, and leadership. Elizabeth is passionate about making a positive impact and helping to empower parents so that they can relate meaningfully with their teens.
Forums are an opportunity to meet the Board of Trustees, the Chief Superintendent and senior admin, and be informed about the district and school council, as well as have discussions/ask questions.
Happy November, everyone!
