Our Faith

Faith

Académie Saint-André Academy is a family of faith, dedicated to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and living, loving, and learning together in relationship with God.

Catechetical Education infuses and permeates all we do, including classroom prayer tables, school masses, monthly virtues assemblies, and youth ministry programs. But more importantly, our school welcomes all people with love and kindness through the example and teachings of Jesus.

The Five Marks of a Catholic School

The Five Marks of a Catholic School Identity are measurable indicators that guide our practice within our Catholic school communities. 

Mark 1: Created in the Image of God

In a Catholic school we...

  • Believe that each person is created in the image of God
  • Know that each person has an eternal destiny
  • Embrace the dignity of all
  • Recognize and celebrate the gifts and talents of others
  • Allocate resources to support and enhance the well being and the physical, emotional, academic and spiritual development of staff and students

Mark 2: Catholic Worldview

In a Catholic school we...

  • Share a Catholic worldview through activities and events
  • Create physical spaces in our schools that reflect our Catholic perspective
  • Foster a Catholic worldview of reflection, service and sacramentality
  • Make decisions rooted in Gospel teaching
  • Embed sacramental routines (prayer, mass, liturgies, scripture and worship) and reminders in the culture of the school and district

Mark 3: Faith Permeation

In a Catholic school we...

  • Incorporate a religious dimension in all learning
  • Advocate for a sacred perspective within a secular context
  • Encourage a critical evaluation of contemporary culture
  • Provide opportunities for staff to develop their abilities to infuse faith into curriculum and pedagogy
  • Teach Catholic values by fostering a love for wisdom and truth

Mark 4: Gospel Witness

In a Catholic school we...

  • Witness to others a life lived in relationship with Jesus
  • Participate actively in the life of the Church
  • Pray personally and lead others in prayer
  • Demonstrate knowledge of faith and commit to faith development
  • Create a vision for evangelization and ministry

Mark 5: Spirit of Community

In a Catholic school we...

  • Live in community, spiritual unity and relationship
  • Recognize that God will be found in each other
  • Foster reconciliation
  • Develop priorities and protocols to address the needs of the marginalized
  • Honor parents/guardians as primary partners in education

The 5 Marks of a Catholic Education Student - PDF
The 5 Marks of an Excellent Catholic Teacher - PDF

Prayer for Catholic Schools

Dear Jesus,
let your light shine in our Catholic schools.
Let your grace rain down,
bringing hope to each person we encounter,
bringing wisdom to our teachers
and leaders,
bringing strength in times of trial.
Protect us from harm.
Let the children come to You,
for the kingdom of God is theirs.
St Thomas Aquinas,
patron saint of Catholic schools,
pray for us.
Amen

Saint André

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He was known as a humble man of faith who lived his life through prayer, hard work, and service to others. Now, Brother or Frère André will also be remembered as the namesake of Beaumont’s new Catholic school.

Frère André is the first Canadian-born man to be elevated to sainthood. The majority of his life was spent in Montreal where he founded the world-famous St. Joseph Oratory. Despite his weak health, Frère André served as the door keeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal where he welcomed everyone. “He was the equivalent of a school secretary,” notes Trustee Jack Kelly. “He will be a model of faith for our students, parents and staff as we build our school community in Beaumont” added Principal Jim McMullen. “Please pray for us as we begin our journey.”

St. Vital Parish

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Known as the church on the hill, St. Vital Parish is Beaumont’s foremost landmark. It took only twenty devoted families to form the parish of St. Vital. But through the subsequent one hundred years, it has taken numerous people to maintain the parish’s vitality, uniqueness and independence. A small, simple church was built and Beaumont’s own Roman Catholic Church celebrated its first mass on June 30, 1895.

Today, St. Vital is home to Catholics throughout Beaumont and the region. Académie Saint-André Academy maintains close ties with the Catholic parish community.

Mass Times

Saturday: 5 pm English

Sunday: 9 am bilingual (English and French)
Sunday 11 am English

St. Vital Parish

St. Vital Parish Website

Contact Information:
4905-40 Street

Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education

GrACE stands for Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education. The goal of GrACE is to advocate for publicly-funded Catholic education across the province of Alberta. It is supported by the Alberta Bishops, Alberta Catholic School Trustees and Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta.

The mission of GrACE is to inspire, invigorate and embolden the spirit of Catholic education in order to unite, engage, educate and communicate with one voice on its behalf. GrACE is a partnership of stakeholders resolutely committed to Catholic education within the province of Alberta.

Our why...

The gift of publicly-funded Catholic education in Alberta is a blessing. As a community we are called in gratitude, faith and action to ensure that our children and future generations continue to learn and grow in our Catholic schools.

Did you know?

  • Publicly-funded Catholic schools are constitutionally protected and have been educating children in Alberta for 150 years.
  • 183,000 students currently attend Catholic schools in Alberta.
  • Alberta is one of three provinces in Canada with publicly funded Catholic education.
  • Catholic schools welcome all and educate both Catholic and non-Catholic students.
  • Catholic education affirms parents as their children's primary educators and respect the rights of parents to choose the school that best meets their needs.
  • Catholic schools' deepest desire is to ensure that every child knows and experiences the love of God through the witness of their community.
  • Principles of diversity and inclusion are central in the teachings of the Catholic Church and permeate all aspects and curriculum in a Catholic school.
  • Catholic schools are committed to academic excellence.

How you can help?

In your homes, neighborhoods, schools and parishes, watch for and get involved with your local GrACE team. Help spread the word by sharing your stories of Catholic education.

Join the conversation:

  • Follow GrACE provincially on Facebook and Twitter
  • Use the hashtag #gottagracegroup and #IBelieveinCatholicEd.