The theme of this edition of the Catholic Dimension is, "Inspiring Education." At this point in our history, nothing could be more relevant, or more important. It would be very easy to look around and become very discouraged. The current economic climate will create tremendous challenges to Catholic jurisdictions as we grapple with budgets and priorities. Our roles as governors of our Districts are being scrutinized provincially. The very right of schools to exist as publicly funded Catholic jurisdictions is being challenged in the Northwest Territories. This struggle is being mirrored by similar challenges to publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario. Events such as these could be viewed by some as a crisis.

I believe that what we have in fact is a tremendous opportunity. Rev. Jim Wallis articulated this very well at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress when he spoke about the tremendous economic challenges facing many of those present. Listeners were asked to consider whether the present circumstances represented the perfect storm, or a divine opportunity. As he put it, 'A crisis is a terrible thing to waste!' This sentiment was echoed by Father Brennan, who stated that times of crisis are also opportunities for tremendous growth. He further stated that the most effective way to resolve crises is to look to what unites us, rather than to what divides us. David Wells recently commented that stressors are, in fact, opportunities to see what's really important.

There is a lot of wisdom in these thoughts. As you read the articles within this edition, I believe that you, too, will recognize this as a time of tremendous opportunity for Catholics in Canada. I believe also that you will be inspired by the courage, wisdom and passion of those committed to Catholic education.

Chief Superintendent Dr. Lucy Miller of the Calgary Catholic School District provides the focus for what we are all passionate about in her article, "What Makes Catholic Education Distinctive." Our faith unites us all, as Pope Benedict XVI, states, when we become servants of unity.

The Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association will be publishing a series of articles in Alberta newspapers which explore the richness and success of our Catholic schools. The first article, "Five Loaves and Two Fish: A Metaphor for Catholic Schools" is included within this publication. These articles will highlight what makes Catholic education something to celebrate.

"God is one and Christ in one, and one is His Church, and the faith is one, and the people welded together by the common gift of concord into a solid unity of body. Unity cannot be rent asunder, nor can the one body of the Church, through the division of its structures, be divided into separate pieces."

St. Cyprian, AD 250

The challenges to publicly funded Catholic education in the Northwest Territories, and more importantly, the successful groundswell of public support for its' survival on the part of Yellowknife Catholic Schools is further evidence that a crisis provides an opportunity to unite people with a common vision of what's really important. Read about the inspiring, heroic efforts by Yellowknife Catholic Schools as administration, Board of Trustees, teachers, support staff, parents and students march to the Legislature to fight for publicly funded Catholic education.

Take an opportunity to read Kevin Feehan's article, which outlines the many historical successful legal defenses of publicly funded Catholic education. You will recognize both the repeated, concerted challenges, and the inspired, well-grounded defense of our right to publicly funded Catholic education.

Finally, please read about Alberta Education's initiative, "Inspiring Education." This province wide initiative will seek input from a wide group of stakeholders this spring and will be tremendously influential in the new vision of education in Alberta. The voice of publicly funded Catholic education must be at the table. You are all invited to the table.

This is your opportunity.