Shining the Light on Catholic Education

While I have spent most of my teaching career in Catholic Education systems in Saskatchewan and Alberta, I did not grow up attending Catholic schools.  I was one of those people who didn’t discover that sense of “it just feels different” in a Catholic school until I began my teaching career at Father Gorman School in Lloydminster.  Now don’t get me wrong – I had a wonderful upbringing in rural Saskatchewan.  My little school was not a Catholic school but I loved it with all my heart.  And the truth is, I always felt I was “very Catholic” based on my connection with our little church, St. Mary’s.  Many of my memories of growing up are tied to that church.  We attended Sunday Mass and gathered for fall suppers, wedding receptions, and potlucks after the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation.  While I always proudly identified myself as a Catholic, I can see now that I basically grew up as a “Sunday Catholic.”  Going to Mass was non-negotiable and my mom and dad saw to it that all of my siblings and I received all of our Sacraments.  I said my nighttime prayers and we had books about Jesus in our home, along with a crucifix and religious statues.  Beyond that though, I don’t remember thinking a lot about my faith on a daily basis. 

Father Kevin Tumback works with young students from Holy Spirit Catholic School Division to train them as altar servers for school and parish Masses.

St. Francis Junior High has a prayer wall where staff, students, and parents can offer a prayer of petition, blessing, intercession, or thanksgiving. Many also take the time to read the prayers and reflections that others have offered.

My first taste of Catholic Education came in 1986 when I started my teaching career and I quickly “got it.” For children who are blessed to go to Catholic schools, they are immersed in their faith every day.  I learned how blessed my students were to be able to pray together every day.  They got to know God more deeply because we could read the Word of God together.  My students learned to serve their brothers and sisters through acts of social service and social justice.  Perhaps most importantly, they had the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist at our school Masses.  These experiences, and so many more, happen in every Catholic school in Alberta. 
​
In our Catholic schools today, our students are not living a “Sunday Catholic” kind of life.  They are learning to know our faith deeply and they live their faith every single day.  I can think of no better description of what is happening in our Catholic schools than with the words from the Gospel of Matthew.  “You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before human beings, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”  Our students are the light – they are shining brightly every day, not just on Sundays, because of the good and holy work that is happening in our Catholic schools.  I am proud to be part of the story.

---

---

Written by Joann Bartley, Director of Religious Education
Holy Spirit Catholic School Division