Fundamentals for Catholic Schools.
The Creation of Catholic Schools in Canada
The ultimate goal of Catholic education is to guide their students to become future citizens who discern and develop their God-given talents and reach academic success (Edmonton Catholic Schools, 2013). Catholic schools are separate schools and they originated in Canada between 1841 and 1863. Section 93 of the Constitution Act entrenched rights in the Canadian Constitution for the four original provinces, which allowed Protestant and Catholic parents to establish their own schools (Young, Levin & Wallin, 2008). This entrenchment of rights is what has upheld the existence of both two separate school boards in Alberta. It was from this point on that Catholic education was available in Canada, which is required to base its academic education on the curriculum provided by the province but also uses the Catholic faith to enhance learning.
Faith Based Schools
In addition, to ensure a faith based community within the schools, school boards will outline certain criteria of Catholic education which describes the religious dimensions of the education being offered. For example, Edmonton Catholic schools use the words community, tradition, justice, hospitality, humanness, rationality and spirituality to describe the religious dimensions of their offered education (Ecsd.net, 1999). Whereas, Red Deer Catholic schools will describe the faith aspect of their schools through faith-filled learning communities, prayer, common Christian beliefs, Catholic beliefs, sacraments, celebrations, liturgical seasons and community (Faith in Our Schools, 2014). Although these two school boards describe their education differently they are both able to explain the meaning of these words within the context of the Catholic faith. For example, the Edmonton Catholic School district explains community as a place where “Catholics approach God together and commit to living as a community, a people of God in the world. The Catholic community, which extends over time and space, finds its life source in the traditional belief that the church represents the mystical Body of Christ. The Catholic community serves the common good of society by integrating faith and culture, thereby transforming society” (Ecsd.net, 1999). On the other hand, Red Deer Catholic Regional School district refers to the term community as parishes being the basic unit and that each school within the district belongs to a parish (Faith in Our Schools, 2014). Even though both definitions are different they both pertain to the Catholic faith, which is the ultimate goal of Catholic Schools. Thus Catholic school boards always ensure that faith is the fundamental aspect of their education.
The ultimate goal of Catholic education is to guide their students to become future citizens who discern and develop their God-given talents and reach academic success (Edmonton Catholic Schools, 2013). Catholic schools are separate schools and they originated in Canada between 1841 and 1863. Section 93 of the Constitution Act entrenched rights in the Canadian Constitution for the four original provinces, which allowed Protestant and Catholic parents to establish their own schools (Young, Levin & Wallin, 2008). This entrenchment of rights is what has upheld the existence of both two separate school boards in Alberta. It was from this point on that Catholic education was available in Canada, which is required to base its academic education on the curriculum provided by the province but also uses the Catholic faith to enhance learning.
Faith Based Schools
In addition, to ensure a faith based community within the schools, school boards will outline certain criteria of Catholic education which describes the religious dimensions of the education being offered. For example, Edmonton Catholic schools use the words community, tradition, justice, hospitality, humanness, rationality and spirituality to describe the religious dimensions of their offered education (Ecsd.net, 1999). Whereas, Red Deer Catholic schools will describe the faith aspect of their schools through faith-filled learning communities, prayer, common Christian beliefs, Catholic beliefs, sacraments, celebrations, liturgical seasons and community (Faith in Our Schools, 2014). Although these two school boards describe their education differently they are both able to explain the meaning of these words within the context of the Catholic faith. For example, the Edmonton Catholic School district explains community as a place where “Catholics approach God together and commit to living as a community, a people of God in the world. The Catholic community, which extends over time and space, finds its life source in the traditional belief that the church represents the mystical Body of Christ. The Catholic community serves the common good of society by integrating faith and culture, thereby transforming society” (Ecsd.net, 1999). On the other hand, Red Deer Catholic Regional School district refers to the term community as parishes being the basic unit and that each school within the district belongs to a parish (Faith in Our Schools, 2014). Even though both definitions are different they both pertain to the Catholic faith, which is the ultimate goal of Catholic Schools. Thus Catholic school boards always ensure that faith is the fundamental aspect of their education.
To the right I have included a video that was created by Edmonton Catholic School District. This video outlines some important fundamentals of Catholic Education. In addition, it highlights a timeline of events that are specific to the history of Edmonton Catholic School District. Therefore if you are interested in teaching in a Catholic School in Alberta, it may be beneficial to you to know the history of this school district which dates back to before Alberta was recognized as an official province of Canada (Edmonton Catholic Schools, 2013). |
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Nativity image taken from : http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/11/27/nativity-scene-to-be-displayed-inside-floridas-capitol-87933