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COLUMN: STAR Catholic wishes communities a blessed and happy Thanksgiving

The month of Thanksgiving, is upon us
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Donna Tugwood/STAR Columnist

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” — 1 Chronicles 16:34

October, the month of Thanksgiving, is upon us. Your STAR Catholic Board of Trustees has been reflecting on the gifts we are blessed to enjoy, and we have much to be grateful for.

We are thankful for opportunities to gather with friends and families to share conversation and laughter over a delicious meal. As we come together during these Thanksgiving celebrations, we give thanks to the farmers who produce the food we eat, and pray for individuals who do not enjoy the luxuries of warm homes and full fridges.

This month, we also celebrated World Teachers’ Day. Teachers are tasked with the enormous responsibility of shaping young minds into bright, capable individuals. We are grateful beyond words for the incredible teachers employed by STAR Catholic, and for those across the globe. We also pray for the many children in the world who do not experience the guidance of a passionate teacher, and do not have the opportunity to learn in a safe and caring school.

We are incredibly thankful for the gift of publicly-funded Catholic education, and we pray for those in other provinces who do not enjoy the same privilege. We are grateful for the families — including non-Catholic families — who choose our schools for the Catholic values students learn, including love, compassion, and the importance of giving back to those in need.

We are thankful for opportunities to engage in positive and inspiring conversation about how we can ensure families continue to enjoy the option of faith-based education. We are looking forward to hosting the Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE) Summit on October 21, and eager to meet with counterparts from across the province to discuss ways we can advocate for and share the good news about Catholic schools.

For these blessings and more, we give thanks to God. Whatever you are grateful for this Thanksgiving season, the STAR Catholic Board of Trustees wishes you a warm, happy, and blessed holiday. May you enjoy it with those you hold dear.

This column was submitted by STAR Catholic Schools. Donna Tugwood (donna.tugwood@starcatholic.ab.ca) is the local Trustee on the STAR Catholic Schools Division Board. STAR Catholic Schools has more than 4,200 students in 12 schools located in Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Lacombe, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin.

-Submitted by STAR Catholic