CTR Shares Stories of Gratitude for 30 Years of Catholic Education
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools. Since 1995, CTR Catholic’s story is one of growth, resilience, and the unwavering dedication of people who believed in the mission of providing authentic Catholic education.
To mark this special milestone, we collected stories from our current and former students and staff as well as others in the community about what CTR Catholic has meant to them!
📧 Click HERE to submit your stories of CTR Catholic.: https://forms.gle/gaG2nVFA7s6QFVPm8
Submitted by Karen-Lee Andrew - St. Anthony's School (Alumni, Parent, Grandparent, Community Member)
My husband and I both attended St. Anthony’s School in our early years. We live in the country and our five children were actually supposed to attend public school in a small community 10 kilometres on the west side of our farm. Catholic education was important to us and luckily we were able to extend the Catholic school division to include our farm. Our children were educated at St. Anthony’s from K to Grade 9 and then moved on to the public school. I worked at St Anthony’s for 11 years, first as an EA and then after I completed the Rural Library training, as the librarian. My daughter currently teaches at St. Anthony’s and we have four grandchildren who attend there as well. I believe that three generations of students in St. Anthony’s is great testament to our belief in Catholic education. It is a wonderful school, full of caring, compassionate, faith filled people who have an enormous impact in the lives of hundreds of students. I feel tremendously blessed to have been a part of the St. Anthony’s community all these years. Congratulations to Christ the Redeemer School Division for a job well done.
Submitted by Brenda Dobrosky - Assumption School (Alumni)
I was the part of the Assumption School Division and was able to be a part of the creation of Christ the Redeemer. At that point in time there were so few of us that friends were made quickly. I remember our first Admin Assistants meetings in the old church basement in Okotoks. So many good times. The first few Faith Days were so much fun with the all the school families becoming one big family.
Submitted by Cindy Olynyk - St. Francis of Assisi Academy (Parent, Current Teacher)
The High River flood of 2013 had a devastating impact on the community. It was the worst flood in Alberta's history, and unfortunately, Holy Spirit Academy was the only school that was completely destroyed. The bathtub ring was near to the ceiling. We lost all our resources instantly. Despite the immense loss, we demonstrated incredible resilience. With the support of the community, our strong admin of Dorothy White and Pat MacDonald, we came back stronger than ever. I am deeply grateful for the teaching resources that were generously donated, as well as for the unwavering support from Dr. Morrison and CTR as a whole, and the High River community who stood by us during that difficult time.
Submitted by Carmen Ostafichuk - Catholic Education Centre (Director of Human Resources, Former Principal)
I began my career with CTR in 1996. I have witnessed incredible growth in our division and made friends that I will have for my lifetime. Raised in central Alberta yet not attending Catholic School myself, I am forever grateful for being able to align my work and faith. Grateful to all who built this division and proud to be a part of it!
Submitted by Tammy Conacher - École Good Shepherd School (Alumni, Substitute Teacher)
I was involved with Christ the Redeemer in the very early stages. I was teaching for Calgary Catholic and Gerry Kresowaty was my administrator and he was involved with the early stages….and I also became a part of the excitement of starting a new school district. There were planning meetings and we would meet at St. James (when it was the small quaint Church by the river). I do remember that there was a lot of discussion at that time as to whether or not Christ the Redeemer students would wear uniforms. I was involved with looking at the architectural drawings for Good Shepherd’s junior high science lab as that was the position I would be teaching. I was so excited and the lab was a dream room with multiple boards and counter tops in the back for lab work. The staff and students had to be in place and attend the school in Mossleigh while Good Shepherd was under construction. I remember driving out to Mossleigh to check out the school we would be leasing until Good Shepherd was built…it was the summer time and I was peaking in the windows and thinking that there was a lot of work to be done prior to being able to bring students in. While at Good Shepherd, I had three children attending school (two of which I taught science to during my time there). I wasn’t there long as I picked up a contract at Alberta Education working on International Math and Science Assessment as well as Performance Based Science Assessment. When I was finished at Alberta Education in Edmonton, I returned to Okotoks and picked up a contract in High River for Christ the Redeemer as well as was subbing for Calgary Catholic. The school in High River was at the annex for the hospital…I have very fond memories of that little building. I went on to secure a position with Calgary Catholic and when I retired I returned to substitute teaching for Christ the Redeemer…and am still subbing. Whenever I go into École Good Shepherd it brings back such good memories of early days. I am very proud to have continued to be a part of Christ the Redeemer and to see it grow and flourish is so wonderful…to have been a small part of it in the very beginning and to still be participating makes me smile and happy.
Submitted by Alejandra S. - The Centre for Learning@HOME (Parent)
Our kids were with The Centre for Learning at Home for their whole learning journey. Our fondest memories are from their elementary years when we were able to learn alongside other families and with the incredible support from Ms. Lana Clark.
Submitted by April B. - Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy (Parent)
As a parent, my experience with CTR has been incredibly positive. I’ve watched my child grow academically, socially, and emotionally in such a supportive environment. The teachers and staff truly care about each student’s success, and I’ve seen my child develop confidence and a love for learning. CTR not only provided a strong foundation in education but also fostered friendships and values that will last a lifetime. I’m so grateful for the nurturing community and the impact it’s had on my child’s life.
Submitted by Ozelle Case - Holy Spirit Academy (Former Teacher)
I was a teacher at Holy Spirit Academy from September 1996 to June 2001. My favourite memories are the times we prayed together as a staff before the students entered the school building. We prayed for guidance, wisdom, strength, and peace. We prayed for each other and for our students. Often, our prayer session ended with a prayer of gratitude. What a wonderful way to give us the fuel we needed to start our work day!
Submitted by Tony Hamilton-Irving - Holy Cross Collegiate (Staff Member)
In my first year with Christ the Redeemer in 2004, my mum was dying from Frontal Lobe Dementia (Pics). I went home to P.E.I. in March of that year to spend a week with her, as I knew that this would probably be the last time I would see her alive. That week was incredibly hard; for the first time in my life, my mum did not know who I was. My faith got me through that week and beyond. My mum was my greatest role model, and the greatest person of faith I knew. Just as exams were starting in June, I got the call to tell me that my mum had passed away. I went from my classroom to the staffroom, as I knew that my tears would rain down. As I was sitting in the staffroom, sobbing uncontrollably, I felt arms surround me. The teacher who taught beside me said, "I am so very sorry for your loss. We will all be praying for you. I know after being home over Easter, that going home again will be very expensive. I called John (her pilot husband) he has offered his buddy pass so that you can go home. One of the other pilots, a family friend, has offered his buddy pass for your return trip. There is a flight out today at 5:00 pm, you are already booked on that flight. We love you, God loves you, and our hearts surround you and your family." God puts before you angels on earth when needed most. Throughout my time teaching in Christ the Redeemer, I have met a few of them. May I one day be that angel for someone most in need.
Submitted by Bonnie Annicchiarico - (Former Principal and Associate Superintendent)
The Best Catholic Teachers!
As we look back on the amazing and proud history of Christ the Redeemer’s 30 years, I am overwhelmed with memories, moments and traditions that make our “little Catholic school district on the prairies” exceptional.
I joined CTR in 1996, but I met you in 1995 when CTR’s superintendent, Ron Wallace, and trustees like Paula Ford, were instrumental in bringing Catholic education to Brooks. When the vote for a Catholic school was finally passed (after two previous failed attempts), our fledgling community needed a school district, guidance and plan to move forward. CTR wrapped its arms around Brooks and led the charge to find space, hire staff and launch Catholic education in our community.
CTR Catholic has distinguished itself as an authentic Catholic school district. This non-negotiable has been the bedrock of our district and, as a result, has allowed us to flourish in our faith, our academics, our community, our relationships and beyond. The yearly tradition of Faith Days is also 30 years strong. Our district has been committed to faithful guest speakers who inspire and educate. Budget decisions are made to provide accommodations and travel for the hundreds of staff whose numbers grow every year. And of course, the Faith Days Social is the only annual event for our district that can build community from Canmore to Oyen and everywhere in between.
David Wells, one of CTR’s keynote speakers at Faith Days once talked about “Sunday Catholics and Friday Catholics”. His message was that Friday Catholics know how to have fun, enjoy each other and celebrate life. The Faith Days Social is a “Friday Catholic” event. The themes for the Faith Days Social are only limited by imagination. I have to highlight the year of the Academy Awards when every school submitted a movie for showing and eventual judging. Think of the work that went into creating our own original film in the years when iPhones and accessible digital media were not yet available. In Brooks we proudly filmed “Braveheart” with scenes of stirring speeches from our very own Braveheart, complete with the peasants charging the enemy out on the open land. Braveheart lives in infamy within the history of Holy Family Academy. The work we invested built community and was fun!! We were proud of the result and knew it was well worth the extra effort.
The most exceptional aspect of CTR is, however, its teachers. They are the BEST of the BEST. It is the teachers in our school district who, for 30 years, have witnessed the love of Christ day in and day out, in teaching excellence and in well prepared lessons. They have lived their faith in visible actions, silent prayers, sacramental moments, testimonies, kind words, scripture study and in teaching excellence. When we, as teachers, give our best, we are living sacred lives that honor our vocation, our God and the precious children in our care.
A tribute to CTR’s 30 years has to be a tribute to the teachers in our classrooms. It begins with a Board who designates a budget to send recruiters across Canada seeking excellent Catholic teachers. It moves to the administrators who hire them, form them and accept nothing but their best. Embed those teachers in a community of superior support staff, engaged parents and faithful care and you have a recipe for excellence; a tried and true plan that explains why CTR is who we are. The most important interaction in education is between teacher and student. If we ensure that our teachers are formed, faithful, committed and ready to learn and lead, God will take care of the rest.
CTR Catholic stands as a city on the hill. When you work here, it becomes the norm, but when you go beyond our borders you see the exceptional nature of this school district and its people. I am still asked frequently, “How does CTR Catholic do it? How do they continue to lead authentic Catholic education with excellence?” Though there are many answers to this question, my response is always: “They hire the best Catholic teachers.”