Why Catholic Education?

Catholic schools are instruments of the Church, reaching out to the young people of our communities with Christ's teachings about life, death and resurrection.  Next to the family, schools are the most important institutions in the development of the child.  catholic schools are designed not only to develop the intellectual abilities of children but also to teach them to love others, to make good judgments, and to develop good work habits and skills for getting along with other people.  Catholic school activities, policies, discipline, and the rule should be based on the gospel message of Jesus Christ, a message of unconditional love.
Catholic Sacramental Resources:

1. Catholic Conversion

2. Confirmation

3. Baptism

East Central Alberta Catholic Schools are places where children can be exposed to the invitation which Christ extends to us to love one another as God loves His children.  Our schools are places of hope arising from our belief that Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead.  His life is a model for lives.  Jesus wished people to love their neighbour so they would reach out to those in need.  Following His teaching will lead us to a full life here on earth, and His resurrection provides us with hope for our own everlasting life.  Generally, Catholic schools reflect the following beliefs in religion classes and in the daily life of the school:

• God is presently active in our lives;
• We attempt to see God's work on earth through the actions of others;
• We talk of personal faith journey;
• Teachers attempt to be living examples of God's influence;
• We view young people not as empty vessels to be filled, but as candles to be lit.

Any person, regardless of church affiliation who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ and in His life, death and resurrection, should feel comfortable in our Catholic Schools as will others who value His message in our curriculum, teaching and example.

Sometimes in the past, only Catholics attended Catholic Schools.  This situation has changed since the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s.  In Catholic Schools in Alberta today, you will find students of all religious backgrounds.  The Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome published a document in 1982 stating the following:

There are students in Catholic Schools who do not profess the Catholic faith, or perhaps are without any religious faith at all.  Faith does not admit to violence; it is a free response of the human person to God as He reveals Himself.  Therefore, while Catholic Educators will teach doctrine in conformity with their own religious convictions and in accord with the identity of the school, they must at the same time have the greatest respect for those students who are not Catholics.  They should be open at all times to the authentic dialogue, convinced that in these circumstances the best testimony that they can give of their own faith is a warm and sincere appreciation for anyone who is honestly seeking God according to his or her own conscience. 

In keeping with the teaching of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, we believe a school that opens its doors only to Catholics may be a school for Catholics but is not fully a Catholic School.  Catholic Schools have an obligation and desire to accept any student so that they may share the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

The population of Catholic Schools then consists of the following groups; children of practicing Catholics; children of Catholics who no longer regularly practice their faith; children of members of other Christian churches or religions; children of people who do not profess to be a member of any organized religion; and children from families who belong to non-Christian religions or churches.

Your Catholic taxes for your Catholic schools

Education property tax provides an integral connection between Catholic school boards and their electors.

Catholic schools fulfill an essential element in the mission of the Church, by offering formation of the whole person – academically, physically, socially and spiritually. In providing this formation, Catholic school boards have a commitment to ensuring a strong connection with Catholic electors in their communities.

Catholic education is funded through education property taxes, grants and general provincial revenue. However, in the fall of 2005, a bill introduced in the Alberta Legislature to eliminate the education property tax raised concerns for Catholic school boards. The bill did not make it further than First Reading, but gained highly-publicized support from prominent individuals, as well as the provincial associations representing many of your locally elected town, county, municipal and city councils.

With such support, it is likely the issue will rise again. As a Catholic elector, you need to be aware of your right to support your Catholic schools through your property taxes. The Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) firmly believes that the education property tax provides a vital connection between Catholic separate school boards and you, their electors. Catholic boards requisition municipalities for education property taxes and do so for sound sociological, denominational and political reasons.

When this discussion reaches your local community, speak out for your faith-based schools and your right to support them with your local taxes. Three critical reasons why Catholic separate boards requisition municipalities for education taxes:

It recognizes and affirms the constitutional right of Catholic separate school boards to requisition municipalities for education taxes.

Taxation is a vital connection between school boards and their electors. It serves as a means of accountability for school trustees to provide quality education to those in their local communities, including those without school-aged children.
It provides a stable source of funding for public education and allows for a public declaration of support by electors for Catholic education.

Declare your support
Taxes declared in support of the Catholic separate school district in your municipality benefit your children. The Constitution Acts of Canada and the Alberta School Act stipulate that individuals who are Catholic must direct their education taxes to Catholic separate school boards where they exist. If a property is jointly owned by two or more individuals of different denominations or faiths, the individuals must direct their taxes to the school boards in proportion to their ownership.

To ensure your property taxes are supporting your Catholic separate school, you must declare your school support as “separate” on your annual property assessment notice and tax bill. If a declaration of school support is not filed by a property owner, the property assessment and tax bills show the school support going to the public school district. If your support designation is incorrect, it should be corrected by completing and submitting a School Support Declaration form, obtained from your local city, town or municipal office.

A change in school support does not take effect until the following calendar year. You may also contact ACSTA at (780) 484-6209 or admin@acsta.ab.ca and we will assist you in contacting your local Catholic school district for more information.

For more information download the ACSTA Your Taxes for Your Catholic Schools brochure.