“I have been known as to Catholic education and learning and this vocational connect with has blessed and enriched my lifetime in profound methods.”
Bonnie Annicchiarico crafted this opening sentence for a testimonial published on the Diocese of Calgary site in June 2020 entitled, “The electric power of witness.”
The previous instructor, principal and associate superintendent on behalf of Christ the Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Faculties wrote about her inspirational colleagues “who are reliable witnesses to the Gospel” and for tirelessly “going previously mentioned and further than for their pupils.”
Scott Morrison, superintendent of CTR Catholic Educational facilities, does not be reluctant to return that praise. He considers Annichiarico his “absolute purpose design when it arrives to management.” He first witnessed his colleague champion Catholic training as the founding principal of both equally Holy Family members Academy principal faculty and St. Joseph’s Collegiate in Brooks, Alta.
In 2013, they became far more collaborators as he assumed his present-day position and Annichiarico was appointed affiliate superintendent. When Annicchiarico selected to retire from CTR at the conclude of the 2017-18 college yr, it is safe to say Morrison was just one of lots of in Alberta Catholic schooling delighted to see her remedy God’s get in touch with to assistance however once more.
Given that 2018, Annicchiarico, blessed with 3 youngsters and 10 grandchildren with her husband Julien, has served as provincial director of GrACE, Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education and learning. This team unites stakeholders fully commited to advertising and safeguarding publicly-funded Catholic training in Alberta.
Annicchiarico reported the Alberta Catholic bishops, the Alberta Catholic College Trustees’ Association and the Council of Catholic College Superintendents of Alberta have historically carried out the do the job of advocating for these universities. Five yrs in the past, the drive was expressed to activate Catholic college guidance at a grassroots amount.
“The thought of GrACE was to give stakeholders correct at the school and parish stage an option to be informed about Catholic education and learning, its background, and to understand the current reality of how lots of students we have, what educational facilities are doing and what do we search like,” claimed Annicchiarico. “And we are proactive to be productive in a secular lifestyle. Most likely the largest risk to Catholic education is the secular tradition we are a portion of.”
GrACE is always aware of the truth government-funded different education and learning is the exception, not the rule. Saskatchewan and Ontario are the only other provinces funding Catholic educational institutions.
Enrolment figures have trended in the favourable way for Alberta Catholic colleges in current yrs, jumping from 164,128 in 2013-14 to around 183,000 right now, according to GrACE data. Annicchiarico reported powerful academic specifications, parental involvement and supports for college students working with classroom, psychological, domestic and social struggles are hallmarks of Catholic educational institutions.
Inspite of the COVID-19 pandemic looming for 50 % of GrACE’s 4-year lifespan, Annicchiarico said the group has accomplished “phenomenal” success.
Every single local GrACE team was empowered to assemble mom and dad, educators, pupils, clergy and parishioners to have interaction the group. The provincial GrACE team and the local iterations make the most of on the web resources to encourage the favourable happenings in Catholic universities, to offer collective prayer for Catholic education and to manage activities. To foster provincial unity there is a monthly newsletter that profiles the record, latest makeup and initiatives underway in faculties.
Annicchiarico was delighted to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Holy Relatives Academy, which she assisted identified in 1996, past autumn. St. Joseph’s Collegiate will hit that milestone in 2024.
Morrison claimed Annicchiarico is these kinds of an productive advocate of Catholic education because she exemplifies the mission statement of St. Joe’s: “a community, rooted in faith, trying to find excellence for all.”
“I can quote these words and phrases simply because they are so correct, and I have hardly ever overlooked them. She created a community of Catholic educators and supporters in Brooks that do everything collectively.”
Morrison provides that Annicchiarico especially shines at parental engagement and welcoming new educators into the school family members.
Annicchiarico was as soon as a single of those people new educators. She did not increase up in a Catholic home, but she promptly was drawn to the religion after being employed to be the tunes instructor of St. Joseph’s Faculty in Whitecourt, Alta., at age 21.
“As the tunes trainer, I was in charge of the new music liturgy at celebrations. I speedily became immersed in society and welcomed into the neighborhood. In about a calendar year-and-a-50 percent, I grew to become a member of the Catholic Church and grew incredibly passionate about Catholic education and learning. It was transformational for me.”
GrACE’s four-yr mandate will conclude this spring and its upcoming will be established. No issue what comes about, making sure a lengthy-expression potential for Alberta Catholic schooling funding will continue.
“What is heading on in our faculties is solid and encouraging academically and in terms of our religion. Are there techniques to be more robust? Certainly, unquestionably. We want to continue to be authentically Catholic in all factors of our training. If we are not completely distinct from general public instruction, we don’t truly have a proper to exist.”