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Its [The Catholic school’s] task is fundamentally a synthesis of culture and faith, and a synthesis of faith and life: the first is reached by integrating all the different aspects of human knowledge through the subjects taught, in the light of the Gospel; the second in the growth of the virtues characteristic of the Christian. – The Catholic School, #37  

In the interests of further developing an understanding of and promoting Catholic education, Mrs. Wihak was blessed to attend a trip that takes place yearly to Tennessee, home of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville. What an informative and enlightening experience it was to spend time with Sister Mary Martha Hetzler (our guide and convener) as well as be in the company of administrators and staff from Archbishop Carney Regional High School (where Sister teaches), St. Patrick’s High School, Our Lady of Sorrows, and St. Andrew’s School, along with Father Ronald Thomson - whose idea it was to bring this order of sisters to the Archdiocese nearly ten years ago.

A particular highlight of the trip included praying Compline (night prayer) with over 150 sisters in full habit in a beautiful chapel of the mother house which was built more than 100 years ago before reconnecting with a number of the sisters that I’d met over the years from the teaching they did in Coquitlam and Maple Ridge. We also toured the elementary school, high school, and college as well as an amazing retreat centre out in the countryside. Presentations were made by various teaching sisters on the topics of: Inspired by a Supernatural Vision, Founded on a Christian Anthropology, Imbued with a Catholic Worldview throughout the Curriculum, Animated by a Spirit of Communion and Community, Sustained by Gospel Witness, and Sent on a MIssion. If you recognize these topics, it's because they make up the book written by our very own Archbishop Michael: The Holy See's Teaching on Catholic Schools.

Mrs. Wihak looks forward to sharing many of the ideas she learned about with our school community.