Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 2

Religious Education

At Evergreen Catholic Schools, students experience a heart-centered education founded on gospel values and the teachings of Christ.

Catholic schools, as agents of Catholic parents, have the responsibility to help all children to develop their unique individual capabilities to learn and to live, thereby experiencing humanity and the world as created by God and redeemed by Jesus Christ. Catholic schools and Catholic parishes are complementary to family, which is the primary agent responsible for the child’s development. Specifically, the goals of Evergreen Catholic Schools are:

3.1 To fully develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional capabilities of each child to the fullest extent possible. To achieve these goals requires the cooperation of all who have responsibilities for Catholic education – the home, the school, the parishes and the student;

3.2 To operate in accordance with the School Act and the goals of schooling and education adopted by Alberta Education; and

3.3 To provide a system of education which will meet the educational needs of young people at all levels in an atmosphere enlivened by the gospel values of Jesus Christ so that the light of faith will permeate the knowledge which students gain of their culture, the world, of life and of mankind.

Our objectives are as follows:

4.1 To develop a sense of Christian morality in students that will serve as a guiding principle for living;

4.2 To provide the experience of living in a Catholic educational community where the teachings of Jesus Christ are lived and taught;

4.3 To develop the individual self in such areas as pride, discipline, responsibility, confidence, expression and understanding;

4.4 To develop to the utmost the intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and emotional capabilities of each child;

In addition, Evergreen Catholic Schools’ Jurisdiction goal in its current Three Year Plan is “to extend faith development experiences in Catechesis, Religious Education and Liturgy for Students, Staff and Parents.”

The intended outcome is that “Students and Staff will have a richer experience and deeper understanding of their faith.”

Strategies to achieve this goal include:

• Continue to promote student and staff participation in daily prayer, school liturgies and spiritual retreats.
• Continue to provide teachers with a support and curriculum resource person (Religious Education Coordinator).
• Continue to offer annual faith development day for all ECSRD staff.
• Encourage attendance at Catholic Blueprints and Spice conferences.
• Encourage staff participation in post-secondary religion courses.
• Continue to offer first year teacher faith formation program.
• Continue to participate in social justice projects.
• Continue to act as a liaison between parish, staff and students.
• Continue to invite parish staff (priests, deacons, youth minister) to school and district events.
• Celebrate, promote and witness our Catholic identity, faith and values. Identify and develop yearly jurisdiction scriptural themes.