Creativity by the Staff and Students of St.

Patrick Fine Arts Elementary 2009/2010

When Your Child

Attends A
Catholic School

Publicly Funded Catholic Education

Christ-centered learning communities

where students are cherished
and achieve their potential

When Your Child Attends a Catholic School

Catholic schools are faith-filled learning communities. This booklet
briefly explains the basics of our Catholic faith tradition and how
you will hopefully experience this being lived out in your childs
school. Faith is the organizing principle for space, time and activities
in our community.
Faith, a life-long gift received in baptism, is in its core, relational. It
is not intended to be a purely academic subject taught in religion
class. It has two dimensions - the vertical our relationship with
God explored and developed in prayer, and the horizontal - our
relationships with one another.
In partnership with parents and the Parish Community, Catholic
schools attend to and nurture the faith of the children and young
people entrusted to us within the total lived experience of the school
community. We refer to this as permeation of the faith.
Jesus Christ is the unseen and ever-present teacher in our midst.
He is the model of our faculty and the inspiration of our students.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the center of the universe and
human history.
God, a mystery beyond human understanding, is revealed by deeds
and words gradually through the course of history. Jesus is the
fullness or culmination of that revelation.
As Catholic Christians we share a Common Creed, or Statement
of Faith at the heart of which is our belief in God as Three Persons:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit which we call the Holy Trinity.

Common Christian Beliefs

God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God the Father almighty is creator of heaven and earth.
Christ, the Son of God, Our Lord, is the full, final revelation
of God.
Humanity and creation have suffered a sinful fall.
Humanity and creation are saved through Christs life, suffering,
death, and resurrection He is the sole mediator of salvation.
Salvation is pure grace accepted by the gift of faith.
Christ inaugurated Gods Kingdom.
We await Christs return and the judgment of the living and
the dead.
The Church is the Body of Christ the People of God, a priestly
people constituted by Christs Spirit.
God gives the Church the Holy Spirit, the charismas and
ministries needed for its mission.
The Bible speaks Gods Word and Revelation; it is inspired and
without error.
The commandments are summarized in the great commandment
to love.
We are sent by Christ to all to baptize in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Catholic Worldview

Some specifically Catholic beliefs include:
The basic goodness of human beings Although sinful we remain created in Gods image and likeness.
We value whatever is true, good and beautiful.
The basic goodness of creation In creation we experience God. Creation is intimately connected to
Gods law and the Ten Commandments.
Finding Gods grace in the ordinary in persons, things, places and
events.
Christ touches us in the good things of creation they are
sacramental, they mediate grace. We use oil, water, light, touch,
song, candles and images to encounter the Lord.
The seven sacraments are distinct moments in the life of an
individual when we recognize that God is with us and in us. Each of
these moments is celebrated with its own sacred and tangible sign.
It is an inpouring of the Holy Spirit that heals us and makes us
holy. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2023)
Sacraments are a special way by which we participate in the saving
event of Christs life-death-resurrection.

The sacraments can be categorized as:

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

Confirmation

Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation
(Confession)

Anointing of the Sick

(Last Rites)
Sacraments of Service

Holy Orders (Ordination)

Marriage

Students who are not Catholic or belong to another Denomination

or Religion still learn about the sacraments in their religious
education classes, however, respecting their own Faith Tradition
they are to receive their sacraments or Religious rites and rituals in
their own Faith Community.

The value of human relationships and society

God saves us as a community and as a church; salvation is not only
a me event. Salvation consists of a continual process of
conversions, not just a one-time event with grace we come to
accept more perfectly the precious gift God has given us we call
Salvation. We are hopeful about human organizations, including
local, national, and international government we pray that God
works through them.
The positive connection between faith and reason
Whatever is true, good and beautiful comes from God and is to be
respected as such. Between faith and reason there can be no
contradiction; faith seeks understanding through reason and
theology. Truth can be found in all branches of knowledge and over
time can help us to understand what God has revealed. When
appropriate the insights of faith are put into dialogue with the
academic disciplines that are being taught. We honor and respect
that truths can be found in various religious traditions.
Spirituality
For 2000 years Catholic Christians have practiced meditation and
contemplation. We pray with body, mind, memory and imagination.
God reaches us in whatever is truly human there are many forms
of prayer and communicating with God.
Mediation
We see Christ as the one mediator between God and humanity.
Priests, liturgies, and sacraments do not replace Christ. They and
the whole church, as members of His body, are participants in
Christs mediation. Thus we reverence and respect them and their
role in the Church.

The Principles in Action

Symbols and religious artwork in classrooms and hallways remind
us of the stories, peoples and truths of our faith tradition and the
invisible realities that surround us.
Liturgical Year The Church year has different seasons which help
us to celebrate and meditate on the central mysteries of our faith
the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
The principal Liturgical Seasons are:
Advent 4 weeks before Christmas start of the Churchs Liturgical
Year and with a focus on the Coming of Christ and the end of time
and his birth at the Feast of Christmas.
Christmas Birth of Christ
Lent A word meaning Spring a 40 day preparation for Easter
marked especially by prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Easter starting with Easter Sunday the celebration of the most
important event for our faith the Resurrection and the Easter
Season lasts until the Feast of Pentecost (50 days). The Triduum
begins with the celebration of the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday
evening and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
Ordinary time - the sequential days and weeks between the major
seasons of Easter and Christmas.

The poets of the Church have described the circle of the year as the
wedding band we wear as a sign of our fidelity to Christ.
The curriculum objectives for the elementary program are built
around the flow of the liturgical year.

The Bible and Tradition

We see the Bible primarily as the Word of God and
secondarily as a book of personal inspiration. To
interpret it, we turn to the Church. We believe the
Spirit has guided the Churchs interpretation over the
centuries. We trust that Tradition. We believe that the books of the
Bible teach us many truths about who we are as a people of God
and about how God has been wanting to save us from the beginning
of time. We recognize and acknowledge that the many books of the
Bible have various literary forms some historical, some mythological,
some poetic, some chronological, etc. Scripture is taught in all the
religious education programs and used in the prayer life of the
school.
Prayer
We sanctify the day through prayer. Key times for
prayer are morning, noon and evening or close of
day. We draw on the many forms of prayer available
to us in our 2000 year old tradition.
The Sign of the Cross
In the Catholic Church and other Christian churches the Sign of the
Cross is an important part of personal and public prayer. It
originated in the earliest days of Christianity and so it is centuries
old. It is the first sign made on us at Baptism and the last sign
made as we pass to our future life. It is a vital part of liturgical
prayer and the sacraments. With the Sign of the Cross we begin and
end our prayers. When we bless ourselves with the Sign of the
Cross we remember the One who blesses us: the triune God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Anyone who believes in the triune God
can make this prayer their own, all are welcome to pray and engage
in it.

The Rosary
The rosary is a form of prayer within the Catholic
tradition which is a way for us to meditate on
moments in Christs life through the eyes of his
mother Mary. The events of Christs life are divided
into four sets of mysteries Joyful, Luminous,
Sorrowful and Glorious. The meditation on the
mysteries is accompanied by a series of prayers
The Apostles Creed, The Lords Prayer, The Hail
Mary and The Glory Be. The opening lines of the Hail Mary prayer
are Scriptural and taken from the Angel Gabriels greeting to Mary
as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
Catholics honor Mary as the Mother of God because she bore Jesus
who we believe is Gods only begotten son. We also honor Mary for
having said Yes to Gods plan of salvation by accepting to be the
Mother of the Savior.
Catholics see all members of Christs Body, living and dead, as
carrying on his saving mission in a mutually supportive communion
of love. Just as we ask each other to pray for needs, we ask Mary
and the saints to pray for our needs.
Liturgy
Liturgy is the public prayer of the church. The highest form of this
public prayer is the Mass. When we participate in the Mass we are
not only remembering but participating in the central mystery of
our faith the life-death and resurrection of Jesus. The Mass has two
parts The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In
the first part we listen to Gods word proclaimed from Scripture and
in the second part in obedience to Christs command we remember
and make present in a special way Jesus saving event of the cross
and resurrection. Through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus is
truly made present under the appearance of bread and wine.
Because of this reality taking Communion in the Catholic Church is
a profound moment. The Amen at Communion is a faith statement
that says: I believe that Christ is really present in this Eucharist.
This is why those who are members of other Churches, not in full
communion with the Catholic Church are invited to partake in this
sacred moment by means of blessing rather than receiving the host.
To indicate desire for a Blessing instead of Communion one crosses
ones hands over the chest as they come forth.

Religious Education Classes

As faith is the organizing principle for our Catholic school
community all students are expected to respectfully participate in
religion classes to learn about Jesus and to understand the Catholic
Churchs tradition and teaching.
Parish and School Relationships
Parishes are the basic unit of the Church, with the parish priest as
leader. A parish either covers a specified geographical territory or is
an ethnic community.
The parish is the life-long faith community for a Catholic believer.
Each of our schools is in a parish community which is part of a
collection of parishes known as a diocese. In our case it is the
Diocese of Calgary under the authority of Bishop Frederick Henry
as the chief shepherd.
Schools co-operate with the local parish in many ways particularly
in the area of sacramental preparation. The local parish priest and
other parish workers may be present at school celebrations or
invited to visit classrooms.
More in-depth information about many of these topics is available
on the Holy Spirit Catholic Schools Website.
Sources:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

When You Teach in a Catholic School Judith Dunlop
Catholicism Confronts Modernity, a Protestant View Langdon Gilkey
Catholicism Richard P. McBrien
Educating for Life Thomas Groome
www.cptryon.org/prayer/sign.html
Based on preliminary work done by Charles Weckend, Fort McMurray
Catholic Schools

Shared with permission from the authors,

Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division,
under the supervision of Dorothy Burns, 2011.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

Catholic Pastoral Centre
120-17 Avenue South West
Calgary, Alberta T2S 2T2
Tel: 403-218-5500
Bishop Frederick Henry
www.calgarydiocese.ca
All Saints Parish
Assumption Church, St. Basil Church,
and St. Patrick Church
2405 12 Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 0P4
Tel: 403-327-8931 Fax: 403-328-2216
Pastor: Father Kevin Tumback Assoc. Pastor: Father Nathan Siray
www.allsaintslethbridge.org/
SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish
640 12C Street North Box 1872
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K5
Tel: 403-330-6969
Pastor: Father Gary Sedgwick
http://sites.google.com/site/ssppparish/contact
St. Martha Parish
355 Columbia Boulevard West
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 5Y8
Tel: 403-381-8891
Fax: 403-381-8884
Pastor: Father Salvador Ahumada
www.stmarthas.ca
St. Michael Parish
958 Christie Avenue Box 339
Pincher Creek, Alberta T0K 1W0
Tel: 403-627-3071
Fax: 403-627-3034
Pastor: Father Silvano Vargas
www.stmichaels.sunshinegang.com/
St. Augustine / St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parishes
5009-48 Avenue
Taber, Alberta T1G 1T4
Tel: 403-223-2226 Fax: 403-223-2501
Pastor: Father Vincent Tuan Ha
www.catholicparish.ca
St. Ambrose / St. Catherine Roman Catholic Parishes
St. Ambrose Parish: 1513 23 Avenue
Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1E2
Tel: 403-345-3400 Fax: 403-345-6962
St. Catherine Parish: 762 Crescent Avenue
Picture Butte, Alberta T0K 1V0
Tel: 403-732-4433 Fax: 403-732-5290
Pastor: Father Newton Rodrigues
www.stambroseparish.ca
St. Michaels Parish
1113 1 Street East Box 56
Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0
Tel: 403-545-2023 Fax: 403-545-6881
Pastor: Father Fred Monk

Directory of Holy Spirit School Division Schools

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Early Learning-Grade 6

COLE ST. MARY

ELEMENTARY
Early Learning -Grade 6
French Immersion

CHILDREN OF
ST. MARTHA
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Early Learning -Grade 6

2219 - 14th Avenue South

Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 0V6
Tel: 327-5028 Fax: 380-6748
Principal: Greg Kostiuk
Assoc. Prin.: Jackie Kraemer

422 - 20 Street South

Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2V5
Tel: 327-3098 Fax: 329-8865
Principal: Anthea Boras
Assoc. Prin.: Dan Monaghan

206 McMaster Blvd. West

Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 4R3
Tel: 381-8111 Fax: 381-0088
Principal: Sheri Thomas
Assoc. Prin.: Kim Yearous

FATHER LEONARD
VAN TIGHEM SCHOOL
Early Learning-Grade 9

CATHOLIC CENTRAL
HIGH SCHOOL
EAST CAMPUS
Grade 10-Grade 12

ST. FRANCIS
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Grade 7-Grade 9

25 Stoney Crescent West

Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 6V5
Tel: 381-0953 Fax: 381-0906
Principal: Denise Kobza
Assoc. Prin.: Patti Pilsner
Assoc. Prin.: Lyle Parr

405 - 18th Street South

Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3E5
Tel: 327-4596 Fax: 320-8896
Principal: Carol Koran
Assoc. Principals: Chris Leroux/Joanne Polec/
Anthony Vercillo (Acting)

333 - 18th Street South

Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3E5
Tel: 327-3402 Fax: 320-1877
Principal: Kevin Kinahan
Assoc. Prin.: Kathy Jones-Husch
Assoc. Prin.: Crystal Lothian

ST. PATRICK FINE ARTS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten-Grade 6

CATHOLIC CENTRAL
HIGH SCHOOL
WEST CAMPUS
Grade 10-Grade 12

ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL

Early Learning -Grade 12
French Immersion

80 Rivergreen Road West

Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7Y1
Tel: 327-4386 Fax: 327-2007
Principal: Shelley Baier
Assoc. Prin.: Val Lazzaretto

251 Britannia Blvd. W

Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4A3
Tel: 327-4596 Fax: 320-8896
Principal: Carol Koran
Assoc. Principals: Chris Leroux/Joanne Polec/
Anthony Vercillo (Acting)

864 Christie Avenue, Box 1750

Pincher Creek, Alberta T0K 1W0
Tel: 627-3488 Fax: 627-5916
Principal: Don Kuchison
Assoc. Prin.: Tina Delinte

ST. PAUL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Early Learning -Grade 6

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL

Early Learning-Grade 9

ST. MARY SCHOOL

Grade 6-Grade 12

212 - 12th Avenue North

Lethbridge, Alberta T1H 6W1
Tel: 328-0611 Fax: 327-0816
Principal: Gerry Muldoon
Assoc. Prin.: Carmen Larsen

1413 - 23rd Avenue

Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1L6
Tel: 345-3373 Fax: 345-3789
Principal: Val Leahy
Assoc. Prin.: Gordon Vatcher

5427 - 50th Street

Taber, Alberta T1G 1M2
Tel: 223-3165 Fax: 223-4233
Principal: Randy Spenrath
Assoc. Prin.: Jodie Gross

ST. PATRICK SCHOOL

Early Learning-Grade 5

ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL

Early Learning-Grade 9

ST. MICHAELS SCHOOL

ELP-Grade 12

5302 - 48th Street

Taber, Alberta T1G 1H3
Tel: 223-3352 Fax: 223-3855
Principal: Rachael Andrew
Assoc. Prin.: Michelle Nevil

300 - 7th Street North, Box 489

Picture Butte, Alberta T0K 1V0
Tel: 732-4359 Fax: 732-5044
Principal: Greg Noyes
Assoc. Prin.: Kristy Ruaben (Acting)

302 2nd Avenue East, Bag 9900

Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0
Tel: 545-2131 Fax: 545-2040
Principal: Chris Sumner