News Archive

CTR Catholic is grateful for the hard work of our amazing Custodians and Maintenance staff! Your care keeps our schools and offices clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Thank you for all you do behind the scenes to support our students and staff! #weareCTR #ctrcatholic

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For the children who died in residential schools throughout Canada and for all those who continue on a journey through the darkness, that there may be healing founded on truth and that the Spirit will inspire our ongoing commitment to reconciliation. Amen. 🧡🙏

Throughout next week, CTR schools across the division will focus on age-appropriate student learning, raising awareness of the impact of residential schools, honouring the experience of survivors, their families and communities, and building cultural awareness. Staff and students are also encouraged to wear orange on Monday, Sept. 29 A reminder there is no school on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Be sure to check your local community for opportunities to engage in commemoration of this day. May God bless Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation process. 🧡

Today, CTR Catholic superintendents and senior staff gathered to celebrate the Site Blessing of the new École Good Shepherd School in Okotoks. The afternoon was a beautiful tribute to the dedication and advocacy of our trustees, school leadership, parish, parents, government partners, and the wider community. Rooted in faith, the celebration included a blessing from Father Vijay and a traditional blessing and fancy dance from our Indigenous partners Elder Sa’akokoto, Tyler Heavenfire, and Kyle Young Pine, a former Good Shepherd student. We also heard from Highwood MLA R.J. Sigurdson, CTR Board Chair Andrea Keenan, Superintendent Dr. Andrea Holowka, and Good Shepherd Principal Melissa Baxter. As we begin the next chapter for École Good Shepherd School as a place where generations of students will continue to grow in faith, wisdom, and love, we look forward with gratitude. When we open these doors in the fall of 2027, it will stand as a visible symbol of the priority we place on Catholic education in Okotoks. #weareCTR #iBelieveinCatholicEd

When we meet with our senior and school based leaders each month, we have the opportunity to establish coherence across CTR while also hearing from our outstanding principals and vice principals. So blessed to work alongside a phenomenal group of leaders in Catholic education who serve with faith, heart, and purpose. #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

The position of School Board Trustee for the High River Ward with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools (Ward 3 – St. Thomas Aquinas-Foothills) remains open. Nominations will close Monday, September 29. Eligible candidates must be Catholic, at least 18 years old, Canadian citizens, and residents of the High River electoral subdivision. Employees of any school division are not eligible. For more information, boundary maps, or nomination forms, please contact Returning Office Michael Kilcommons at 403-923-9507 or mkilcommons@redeemer.ab.ca. Nominations forms are also available on the CTR website at www.redeemer.ab.ca

As of 12:00 noon yesterday (Sept. 22), nominations for municipal elections, including Trustee positions for Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools, ceased. We expect to hold one election, in Brooks, on October 20. It also appears at this time that there will be six acclamations announced and one vacant position. All Wards are currently represented as follows: - Foothills: Andrea Keenan (incumbent) is the sole nominee. - Oyen: Michelle Rude Volk (incumbent) is the sole nominee. - Drumheller: Louise Henrickson is the sole nominee. - Brooks: three nominees: Michelle Gietz, Shane Grove, and Chris Neeser - Strathmore: Harry Salm (incumbent) is the sole nominee. - Okotoks: Andrew Gustafson (incumbent) is the sole nominee. - Canmore: Matt McIsaac (incumbent) is the sole nominee. - High River: no candidates have been nominated. Nominations will remain open until September 29. Please contact mkilcommons@redeemer.ab.ca for details.

📸 Selfie with the Super - Saturday edition from St. Joseph’s Collegiate in Brooks! Dr. Holowka joined principal Andrea Schell for a meaningful gathering focused on storytelling, history, and community. She connected with Ahmed Kassem from Global Village and documentarian Tyler Duffy for the filming of "Lessons Learned", a powerful documentary capturing the history of Brooks and Newell County. Dr. Holowka was grateful for the opportunity to witness how education and community come together to preserve stories that shape our shared future! #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

Our connections to our parish are so special! Check out why at St. John Paul II Collegiate in Okotoks! #IBelieveinCatholicEd

A beautiful space for prayer at Holy Spirit Academy in High River! #ibeleiveincatholiced

Selfie with the Super from the Centre for Learning@HOME Edmonton site! Dr. Holowka had a wonderful visit connecting with dedicated team members who support students in unique and meaningful ways. She was grateful to spend time with Nouchik Taslakian, Sherwaine Arthurs, and Lynn Cooper, as well as other CFL staff who bring care, creativity, and commitment to online learning every day. Thank you for the incredible work you do to help students thrive, no matter where they are learning from! #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

📸 Last Friday, CTR superintendent Dr. Holowka visited Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy in Canmore and snapped a few Selfies with the Super! Dr. Holowka joined principal Ryan Fox for a visit to a Biology 30 class celebrating Formal Friday while the rest of the school embraced Pajama Day! She then headed to the high school foods lab with Mrs. Malenfant, where students were busy preparing delicious chicken caesar salads. To end her visit, Dr. Holowka spent time with Mrs. Faupel’s Grade 3 class, one of OLS’s wonderful new teachers, who was fully embracing Pajama Day. What a beautiful day of learning, laughter, and connection in the Rockies! #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

📸 Selfie with the Super from St. Mary’s School in Okotoks! Dr. Holowka had a wonderful time visiting classrooms filled with faith, energy, and joyful learning! She popped in to see Mr. Peraino’s Grade 4 class with principal Shari Gustafson and then joined Mrs. Brennan’s energetic Grade 5 students. A special highlight was witnessing the incredible early learning happening in the kindergarten classroom of Mrs. Jensen. So much love, learning, and laughter in one school - thank you, St. Mary’s! #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

Check out this event at St. Mary's University!

📸 Selfie with the Super - Okotoks edition! Today, Dr. Holowka met with principals from Okotoks and the surrounding area to collaborate on new ways to support students across our schools. These leaders are working together to build strong, faith-filled learning communities where every student can thrive. We are grateful for their vision, teamwork, and deep commitment to Catholic education! Principals include (left to right) Lana Clark, The Centre for Learning at Home, Shari Gustafson, St. Mary's School, Melissa Baxter, École Good Shepherd School, Leslie Woehleke, St. Luke's Outreach, Lindsay Avramovic, St. Francis of Assisi Academy, Diana Atkinson, Holy Trinity Academy and Jamie Leidl St. John Paul II Collegiate. #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

Our relationships with our parish priests is an extremely valued one! We are blessed! #IBelieveinCatholicEd

📸 Selfie with the Super from St. Anthony’s School in Drumheller! What a wonderful visit full of faith, dedication, and CTR spirit! Dr. Holowka was thrilled to snap a selfie with Principal Celeste Schrock, who was teaching her Grade 12 Religious Education class. Our principals are truly excellent educators! She also met the amazing office staff, Raelene Manula and Michelle Doyle, working hard to ensure a smooth and welcoming school start-up. A big shout-out to Kevin Barrett, the school’s longtime and dedicated head custodian, and to Grade 2 teachers Mrs. Engler and Mrs. Straub who were excited to get a selfie with the Super! 😊 So much heart goes into making St. Anthony’s a special place to learn and grow! #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

📸 Another heartwarming Selfie with the Super this time from Holy Spirit Academy in High River! Dr. Holowka had the joy of connecting with the incredible Learning Support Team, including Azure McNeil, Amber Langille, and Principal Lacey Dubeau. Their dedication is making a big impact in the lives of students every day! Later in the day, Dr. Holowka spent time learning and laughing with Mrs. Anastasopoulos' wonderful Grade 1 class. What a blessing to see young learners growing in faith and knowledge! So much love and learning under one roof! #selfiewiththesuper #ctrcatholic #weareCTR

Celebrating Mary! #IBelieveinCatholicEd

Our schools are welcoming and Notre Dame Collegiate is no different! Check out this beautiful display of messages to uplift and let our students know they are loved! ❤❤❤