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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The theme of the upcoming 49th International
Eucharistic Congress to be held in Quebec City, June 2008 is “The
Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the world.” This
theme has also been adopted as the theme for our celebration of
Catholic Education Sunday, November 4th. It is an invitation for us to
grow in our identity as a Eucharistic people, a people called to become
what we receive, “the Body of Christ” for the world.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy quoting 1
Tim.2:4 opens with the words: “God wills that all peoples be saved and
come to the knowledge of truth”. The Eucharist is both the summit
toward which the activity of the Church is directed and the fount from
which all of her power flows. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is
truly the encounter with the Risen Lord. The Eucharist animates and
strengthens us to be a presence of Christ that proclaims life, love and
hope for a world yearning for liberation and truth. As a pilgrim people
on a faith journey, we are constantly in a state of becoming and
transforming.
Catholic Education pursues and proclaims truth.
“True education is directed towards the formation of human persons in
view of their final end and the good of that society to which they
belong and the duties of which they will, as an adult, have a share”.
(Declaration on Christian Education, 1)
The General Directory for Catechesis sees the
Catholic school as a most important place for human and Christian
formation. When we provide our young people with an authentic
experience of communities of faith and caring, where people are formed
in the knowledge that all people are created in the image and likeness
of God, we are providing a fertile ground in which the seeds of the
Gospel can grow and bear fruit for the world.
We are deeply grateful to all those parents,
teachers, administrators, trustees and support staff, indeed all those
who see themselves as integral to the formation process at hand, to
help our young people come to a deeper appreciation of who they are as
sons and daughters of God.
As we celebrate Catholic Education Sunday, may
this theme: “The Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the world,”
move us to become true communities of inspiration, affirmation and
prophetic character. May our Catholic schools be a real source of light
to the world by the way we gather to study and learn to be a people
redeemed and liberated by the passion, death and resurrection of Our
Lord.
Yours in Christ,
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Most Reverend Richard W. Smith
Archbishop of Edmonton
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Most Reverend Frederick B. Henry
Bishop of Calgary
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Most Reverend Luc Bouchard
Bishop of Saint-Paul
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Most Reverend David Motiuk
Eparchial Bishop of Edmonton
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Most Reverend Gérard Pettipas, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
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Most Reverend Denis Croteau, O.M.I.
Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith
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Most Reverend Murray Chatlain
Coadjutor Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith
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