Christ the Redeemer (CTR) Catholic School Division celebrates 30 years of operation this year.
They recently celebrated during their annual Faith Days in Okotoks on February 19 and 20.
What made the occasion so special were the crucifixes blessed by Bishop William McGrattan.
The crucifixes were made using olive wood from the Holy Land, soil from Bethlehem, stone from Jerusalem and incense from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Every school within the school division was gifted one of the special crucifixes to mark the 30th anniversary of the school division.
CTR was formed in 1995 after an amalgamation of schools in Okotoks, Drumheller and Oyen.
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the perseverance, faith, and commitment of the many educators, families, and students who have shaped CTR Catholic over the past 30 years,” said Dr. Andrea Holowka, Superintendent of CTR Catholic Schools. “From our humble beginnings to serving thousands of students today, we remain dedicated to fostering a strong Catholic identity, academic excellence, and a deep sense of community for generations to come.”
They now serve seven communities in Alberta, including Holy Spirit Academy, St. Luke's Outreach Centre and Notre Dame Collegiate in High River. Okotoks has six CTR Catholic schools they serve including École Good Shepherd School, St. Mary's School, St. Francis of Assisi Academy, St. John Paul II Collegiate, St. Luke's Outreach Centre, and Holy Trinity Academy.
